{"id":1375,"date":"2022-03-03T08:00:57","date_gmt":"2022-03-03T13:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.doorpros.com\/?p=1375"},"modified":"2022-02-24T16:16:28","modified_gmt":"2022-02-24T21:16:28","slug":"backed-into-garage-door","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.doorpros.com\/blog\/backed-into-garage-door\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do if You Back Into Your Garage Door"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"What<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a situation more common than you\u2019d think \u2014 you\u2019re in a hurry, about to leave your house, and you put your car in reverse while your garage door is still opening. Before you notice, you\u2019ve backed straight into it, and you\u2019re left wondering what to do next.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve recently backed into your garage door, don\u2019t worry. You can handle the situation in a few different ways depending on any damages you\u2019re facing.<\/p>\n

In this article, we cover the steps you can take if you hit your garage door with your car, common damages that might have occurred, and the average costs associated with repairing it<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Steps to Take if You Accidentally Back Into Your Garage Door<\/h2>\n

If you find that you\u2019ve backed into your garage door, you can take steps following the incident to help you feel a lot better about the situation.<\/p>\n

1. Make Sure Everyone Is Safe<\/h3>\n

Stay calm and make sure that you and other passengers are safe after hitting your garage door. Even a minor accident can cause injuries, so check that your loved ones aren’t hurt first.<\/p>\n

In a heightened situation like this, many people forget to put their cars in park before getting out. Calmly put your vehicle in park and turn it off before exiting to check for damages.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0Assess the Damage<\/h3>\n

Observe your car and the garage door for surface damages to see if it will need repairs.<\/p>\n

If you hit your garage door from the inside, you\u2019ll want to move your car forward to check for dents. If you hit the garage door from the outside, stay safe by entering your garage from your house or side door to inspect damages.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0Check if Your door Is Manually Operable<\/h3>\n

After hitting your garage door, it might be tempting to try and open it with the remote to see if it\u2019s still operable. However, doing this can cause more damage to your garage door because it might force the door to open while damaging the entire system.<\/p>\n

If you notice that your garage door is no longer aligned with the rails, do not attempt to move it because it could fall. However, you can check if the door is manually operable if you see only surface dents after assessing damages. To do this, you\u2019ll want to disconnect the garage door opener and physically move the door.<\/p>\n

\"Assess<\/p>\n

4. Take Note of Damages Before Scheduling a Repair<\/h3>\n

Make a list of damages to report to your local repair company before they come out or provide you with an estimate. If your door isn\u2019t manually operable or it\u2019s off its tracks, you\u2019ll want someone to repair it before attempting to use it. Stay at least 8 feet away from the door to avoid injury if the door is in this state.<\/p>\n

Measure dents so your repair company knows what kinds of damage to expect when they arrive, and take note of the type of material your garage door is made of.<\/p>\n

5. Call Your Local Garage Repair Company<\/h3>\n

In the case of any damages, and even if your garage door is operable, you\u2019ll want to call a repair company to assess and\u00a0repair or replace<\/a>\u00a0it right away. If your door is off its rails, this is something you won\u2019t want to touch yourself. Attempting to repair your garage door on your own can cause injury or further damage to the garage door.<\/p>\n

Repair companies will inspect your door for damage such as dents, track issues and opener problems.<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0Determine How You\u2019d Like to Proceed<\/h3>\n

You\u2019ll want to determine your next steps depending on what you\u2019re comfortable with after your repair company assesses the damages. If your damage is minor, such as a few scratches and dents, costs will likely come in at less than a deductible. For extensive damages, like structural issues or a complete door replacement, you may want to consider making a claim with your homeowners insurance to cover repair costs.<\/p>\n

Depending on the severity of damages, you also may want to call your auto insurance company. Your homeowners insurance policy will not pay to repair your car, and your auto insurance won\u2019t pay for garage door repairs.<\/p>\n

Use your best judgment and do what feels best for you after assessing your garage door and vehicle.<\/p>\n

Common Issues Caused by Backing Into a Garage Door<\/h2>\n

Your local repair company will inspect your garage door for specific issues. The extent of problems will depend on how fast you hit the garage door, but common issues associated with backing into a garage door include:<\/p>\n