Short answer: keep people and pets away from the door, don't run the opener, and look before you touch. Take photos and video of the door and your car, call your home and auto insurers, and have a garage door technician inspect it before you use it again. Never try to fix springs, cables, or a bent track yourself.
1. Make it safe
- Don't press the opener button. A hit can knock the door off its track, break rollers, or damage cables and springs. Running the opener on a damaged door can make things worse or bring the door down.
- Keep everyone clear of the door, especially kids and pets.
- Look before you touch. Check the outside where the car hit, then go inside through another door and look at the tracks, rollers, cables, and springs.
- Check the house too. If the car hit the wall or the frame around the door, Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie, a garage door dealer, suggests checking for damage to the house itself and calling a licensed contractor if you find any.
2. Look for these signs
| What you see | What it can mean | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Dented or cracked panel, door still runs straight | Damage to one section | Photograph it and get it inspected. See panel replacement cost |
| Rollers out of the track or a bent track | Door is off track and can fall | Don't move it. See garage door off track |
| Loose, frayed, or snapped cable | The door may not be supported on that side | Stop. See garage door cable snapped |
| Door hangs crooked or feels very heavy | Cable, spring, or track damage | Don't open it. Call a technician |
| Door stuck open and won't close | The garage isn't secure | See garage door stuck open |
| Door looks fine but the opener struggles | Hidden damage in the door or opener | Have both checked |
3. If you need to move the door
If the door is still squarely in its tracks and you have to open or close it, disconnect the opener with the release cord and move the door slowly by hand, listening for unusual sounds. The Overhead Door dealer above gives the same advice. If the door binds, sticks, or won't move smoothly, stop and leave it. Don't force a damaged door, and never move one that's off track or has a loose cable.
4. Keep the garage secure
If the door is stuck open or won't latch:
- Lock the door between the garage and the house.
- Move valuables out of the garage if you can do it safely.
- Choose "ASAP" when you request help so you're matched for an emergency visit.
5. Document it for insurance
- Take photos and video of the door from inside and outside, the tracks and hardware, and your car.
- Measure any dents with a tape measure.
- Write down when it happened and what you saw.
- Find your door's paperwork if you have it (brand, model, or warranty info), since it helps when matching replacement panels.
The Overhead Door dealer suggests calling both your home and auto insurers to report the damage.
Will insurance cover it?
It depends on your policies and deductibles, so ask your agent. As a general guide from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC):
- Homeowners dwelling coverage pays for damage to your house and structures attached to it, and other-structures coverage pays for freestanding garages, for perils your policy covers.
- Auto collision coverage pays for damage to your car from a collision with an object.
- Auto property damage liability pays for damage you cause to someone else's property, so it matters if you hit a neighbor's garage door.
If someone else hit your door, their insurer may be involved. Your agent can tell you which claim to file.
Panel, track, or whole door?
What gets fixed depends on what was hit:
- One panel dented, track and hardware fine: a single section may be replaceable if a matching panel is still available.
- Track, rollers, or cables damaged: those parts need repair whether or not the panels do. See off-track repair.
- Several panels damaged or an older door: replacing the door may make more sense. See repair or replace and new garage door cost.
Clopay says major damage should be evaluated by a professional dealer who can recommend repair or replacement.
Sources
- Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie, "What To Do If You Backed Into Your Garage Door"
- Clopay, "Repairing Damaged Garage Door Sections"
- NAIC, "A Consumer's Guide to Home Insurance"
- NAIC, "What Does Auto Insurance Cover?"
Need help in the Triangle?
Door stuck open, off track, or just dented? Tell us what happened and we'll connect you with one independent garage door company that serves your ZIP. Get emergency garage door help.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still use my garage door after hitting it with my car?
Don't run the opener until the door has been checked. A hit can bend the track, break rollers, snap cables, or damage springs, and a door that's off track can come down suddenly. Look the door over without moving it, and if anything is bent, loose, or crooked, have a technician inspect it.
Does insurance cover a garage door I hit with my own car?
It depends on your policies, so call your agent. In general, the NAIC says a homeowners policy's dwelling coverage pays for damage to structures attached to your house, and other-structures coverage pays for freestanding garages, for perils the policy covers. Auto collision coverage pays for damage to your car from hitting an object. Ask both insurers before you assume either will pay.
Can a dented garage door panel be fixed, or does the whole door need replacing?
Sometimes one section can be replaced, sometimes the whole door makes more sense. It depends on how many panels are damaged, whether the track and hardware were hit, and whether matching panels are still available. Clopay says major damage should be evaluated by a professional dealer.
Is a garage door hit by a car an emergency?
It's urgent if the door is stuck open, won't close, has come off its track, or a cable or spring looks damaged. Those leave your home unsecured or put people at risk. A small dent on a door that still runs normally can usually wait for a regular appointment.