Working with your Insurance Company.
A garage that is damaged from weather or an accident is a serious matter, and you should not delay getting it taken care of. Likewise, structural or roof damage caused by winds, lightning strikes, heavy rains or snow can lead to property damage and dangerous conditions. Not only is your car left out in the elements and your property inside subject to theft, but the mess detracts from the beauty of your home.
The first thing you should do is file a claim with your insurance company.
Structures such as detached garages, which are part of your property but are not attached to your house, are usually covered under the Coverage B section of a standard Homeowners policy. They are entitled “Other Structures”, and are typically limited to 10% of your Dwelling Coverage amount.
If you have a detached garage with living area, you may find the basic level of this coverage is less than you would need to rebuild your structure. If you use your garage for business such as doing car repair, or have a wood working business in a detached shop, the structure is usually NOT COVERED by your homeowners insurance. If the garage door was damaged by a car, automobile insurance may cover the damage and not homeowner’s insurance, depending on the circumstances.
Here are the steps to take to get your garage fixed ASAP:
1. Call your insurance company to report the incident.
2. Describe what happened and how much damage was done
3. When it’s safe to do so, take photos and/or video of the damage. Create an itemized list of damage or loss to your personal belongings.
4. If you need to start making repairs before the claims adjuster is able to do the inspection, be sure to save your receipts and keep a record all of your repair expenses.
5. Do not throw away any damaged property because the homeowner insurance claim adjuster will need to inspect it in order to assess your loss.
Filing garage insurance claims will be simplified if you do some upfront work with your insurance agent about the amount and types of coverage needed. Detached garages are an important part of your home and should not be neglected when buying insurance.
