Garage Damage Claims: Attached vs. Detached Changes Everything
A windstorm rips the door off your detached garage and rain soaks everything inside. You file a claim expecting full coverage. Then you learn detached garages fall under Coverage B, which is capped at 10% of your dwelling coverage. Your $400,000 policy gives you just $40,000 for the entire structure and everything in it.
The coverage split most people miss
An attached garage is covered under Coverage A, your dwelling coverage. That's your full policy limit. A detached garage falls under Coverage B, 'other structures,' which is typically just 10% of Coverage A.
On a $400,000 policy, that's $40,000 for the structure and any liability associated with it. If your detached garage needs a new roof, new siding, a new door, and structural repairs after a storm, that $40,000 cap can be tight.
| Garage Type | Coverage | Typical Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Attached garage | Coverage A (Dwelling) | Full dwelling limit |
| Detached garage | Coverage B (Other Structures) | 10% of dwelling limit |
| Contents in either | Coverage C (Personal Property) | Subject to sub-limits |
Vehicle impact: whose insurance pays?
Someone backs into your garage door. It happens constantly. If the driver is someone in your household, your homeowner policy covers the structure damage and the driver's auto policy covers the vehicle.
If a third party hit your garage, their auto liability coverage should pay for the structure damage before your homeowner policy gets involved. Always get the other driver's insurance information and file against their auto policy first.
Storm damage and the door
Garage doors are the most frequently damaged component. A basic single-car door runs $500-$1,500 with the opener. A double-car insulated door with a belt-drive opener costs $1,500-$3,500.
Wind-rated doors required in hurricane zones cost more. If your door has windows, decorative hardware, or insulationFiberglass, Blown-In, or Spray Foam: What R-Value Means for Your ClaimInsulation is rated by R-value: resistance to heat transfer. Higher R-values mean better insulation. When your repair opens wall or attic cavities,...
Read more →, the replacement must match. Storm damage to the door often triggers your wind deductibleYour Deductible Might Be Bigger Than You ThinkYour deductible is what you pay before insurance kicks in. It might be a flat $1,000-$5,000. Or it might be a percentage of your dwelling coverage,...
Read more →, which may be a percentage of your dwelling coverage rather than a flat dollar amount.
What is inside matters too
Tools, bicycles, sports equipment, and holiday decorations stored in the garage are covered under personal property (Coverage C). But many categories have sub-limits. Your policy might cap power tools at $2,500 or sporting equipment at $1,500 regardless of what they're actually worth.
Motorcycles, ATVs, and other motorized vehicles are typically excluded from homeowner policies entirely. Read your policy's sub-limits section before you assume everything is covered.
- Power tools (often capped at $2,500)
- Bicycles and sporting equipment (varies by policy)
- Motorized vehicles like ATVs (usually excluded, need separate policy)
- Business equipment stored at home (may require endorsement)
Quick-check your estimate
- Determine whether your garage is attached or detached (this sets the coverage type)
- Photograph all structural damage, the garage door, and every damaged item inside
- If a vehicle caused the damage, file against the driver's auto insurance first
- Inventory stored contents with photos, descriptions, and replacement values
- Check your policy for sub-limits on tools, equipment, and sporting goods
- Note whether wind damage falls under a separate wind or hurricane deductible
See how this applies to your property
Upload photos of your damage and get a detailed analysis showing exactly where your estimate may fall short.