There are few things more frustrating than coming home to find your garage door vandalized. The first thing you should do is report the crime to your local authorities as soon as possible. It could be an ongoing issue in your area and the vandals most likely won’t stop at just one garage. Be sure to take plenty of pictures to document the damage.
After you report the crime, consider calling your homeowner’s insurance company. They may require the police report but depending on your coverage most insurers will provide reimbursement for vandalism to your garage door. However, you may need to meet your deductible first.
Don’t forget to obtain a written receipt from your garage door repair company so you can submit the charges to your insurer afterward.
Preventing Vandals from Damaging Your Door Further
Although the damage was not your fault, repeated vandalism claims against your insurer could lead to higher premiums and even termination of your coverage. One of the best ways to deter crime on your property is to install motion-sensor lights that will turn on when they sense movement. Most vandals won’t be interested in taking any risks when a light is shining on them.
If repeat vandalism is a problem in your area, you may also want to consider setting up security cameras above your garage door to catch the culprit. Some of the communities across Yuba City and Live Oak that we perform garage door maintenance in have a neighborhood watch sign installed which can help deter crime.