At night or when distracted, you might misjudge distance and accidentally drive into the garage door. Even though your first inclination may be to pull your hair out, remain calm and assess the situation. To keep yourself and property safe until the damage is repaired, take the following steps. 

What to Do if You Hit the Garage Door With Your Car

1. Examine the Door

See what type of damage the door sustained in the collision. In addition to denting the panel, the impact might have cracked the rollers, forced the tracks out of alignment, and dislodged lifting cables. By assessing the damage, you can gauge whether it’s safe to move the car before a repair technician arrives.  

2. Inspect the Car

If you were pulling into the driveway, the front bumper likely received the brunt of the impact. If you were backing in, the rear bumper could be dented or cracked. Turn off the car and get out to examine the damage.

If the bumper is hanging off the vehicle, continuing to drive could be dangerous. Reach out to your auto insurance provider to find out the deductible for repairs. Depending on your policy, paying out of pocket might be a better solution than filing a claim. 

3. Remove Valuables 

If you can, move the car and close the garage door manually if the damage is minimal. To prevent injuries, don’t use force. If the panel is stuck in the open position, gather bicycles, electronics, tools, lawn equipment, and anything else of high value and bring it inside the house. This will prevent the elements from damaging your belongings or passersby from trying to steal them until the door is repaired or replaced. 

4. Decide Whether to File a Homeowners Insurance Claim

As with auto insurance, it might or might not be worth it to file a homeowners insurance claim for a garage door installation or repair. Reach out to a professional for an estimate. If the project is less than your deductible, it might be best to cover the costs yourself.

Whether you need garage door replacement or repair, the fully licensed and insured technicians at Garage Door Service: Paul Holscher, Mike Panaro have you covered. Since 1987, the family-owned and -operated company has been giving homeowners in the Cincinnati, OH, area peace of mind by providing solutions to boost the security and aesthetics of their properties. For a free estimate on a new door, call (513) 347-3000. See project photos on the company’s website.