The garage is one of the areas of the home that many people do not think much about until there is a problem. In some cases, home insurance can help with the damage here. For example, if your garage ceiling has damage that stems from a covered peril, your policy can help you make repairs. However, there are some limits here. Here’s a look at when you can get help.
What Caused the Damage?
In nearly all situations, the cause of the damage to your home is what ultimately determines whether your home insurance will cover it or not.
For example, let’s say the garage ceiling falls in. You find out that rodents caused the damage that triggered the collapse. Sometimes, damage from pests does not have coverage under your policy. Policies also usually do not cover losses related to normal wear and tear. The aging of the ceiling could cause the damage, for example, but it might not have coverage.
In other cases, there is help available. Let’s say the roof over the garage suffered damage from a recent storm, which caused it to collapse. That collapse may fall under your home insurance coverage. If so, then the home insurance policy covers the losses to the garage ceiling.
Be Sure Your Garage Has Coverage
It is also important for you to consider whether your garage has coverage on your policy. If the garage is an attachment to the home, it is likely to be automatically a component of the structural component of your plan. However, if you just added the garage to the home, be sure your agent knows this.
This is also true of any garage off the home. You need to name the detached garage separately on your home insurance policy. This helps ensure that all buildings on your property have protection under the plan. Do not assume your policy will automatically cover detached buildings, though.
Keep in mind that garage ceiling damage is not an uncommon problem. Whether your home insurance policy covers the damage depends on the circumstances. Work with your agent to determine what the cause is. They can often help by providing you with an inspection by a licensed roof technician in the area. Then, you can find out if you can file a claim and what coverage is available to you.