Are Garage Door Remotes Covered by Home Insurance

In the UK today many homeowners rely on remote-controlled garage doors and accompanying accessories such as remote transmitters (remotes) as part of their overall home security and convenience systems. The question of whether a garage door remote is covered by home insurance is more complex than it may appear. It is one thing to ask whether the door itself is covered, but quite another to ask if the remote control device is covered, and under what circumstances. This article unpacks the subject thoroughly for homeowners, landlords, self-builders and property professionals in the UK. It explains what we mean by a garage door remote, who it affects, how home insurance policies typically treat garage doors and remotes, the legal and regulatory background, steps to take when assessing insurance cover, typical timelines and costs around claims, common risks and pitfalls, practical success tips, design or sustainability considerations where relevant, and some illustrative case examples.

What is meant by a garage door remote and its role

A garage door remote is the handheld or fixed transmitter device that communicates with the garage door operator or motor to open or close the garage door. It forms part of the control system of the automated or remote-operated garage door. The remote itself is often considered a low-value accessory relative to the door and the motor mechanism, but it plays a key role in access control, security (by controlling access to the door) and convenience. In a fully automatic or remote-controlled garage door installation the remote (together with the receiver and motor-control unit) is integral to the system’s safe and secure operation.

When we speak of “coverage” under home insurance we are referring to whether damage, loss or theft of the remote (or its role in facilitating damage or theft of the door) is included in the policy and how this may affect your claim or your cover. In practice many policies treat the door, the structure of the garage and its contents under buildings insurance or contents insurance, but the remote itself may not always be addressed explicitly. The remote may be treated as part of the system or an accessory depending on the policy wording and circumstances.

Who it affects

The primary audience for this article comprises homeowners who have automated or remote-controlled garage doors, particularly where the remote is used regularly, where the remote control system has been upgraded or replaced, or where there have been security or access issues. Landlords and rental property managers with garages or outbuildings that provide remote-access doors also need to understand the potential implications for insurance. Self-builders or renovators installing new garage door systems should be aware of how insurance will treat the remote and door system as part of the property’s access. Installers and contractors advising clients should have a clear understanding of the insurance implications of remote devices and door systems and how their work may impact cover or claims. In short anyone responsible for the installation, maintenance or oversight of a garage door system with remote access must understand how insurance interacts with that system.

Legal and regulatory overview in the UK

There is no UK law that explicitly states that a garage door remote must be covered by home insurance. Instead the coverage depends on the contract between the homeowner and the insurer, and how the policy handles “buildings” and “contents”, “outbuildings”, “accessories”, “electronic control devices”, “security systems”, and “theft or damage caused by third parties”. That said there are key regulatory and industry guidelines which affect how garage doors (and by extension their remotes) are viewed in terms of safety and security.

In terms of building product regulations the door, motor, safety devices and remotes may fall under the scope of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, the Construction Products Regulation (now UK retained), and the harmonised standard BS EN 13241-1 for powered doors. These regulations mandate certain safety features and compliance for automatic doors. A properly installed automatic garage door system may have particular insurance and security implications because it forms part of the building’s access infrastructure. From an insurer’s perspective the security of the door (and its remote control) links to their assessment of risk of forced entry, theft, vandalism or damage.

Insurance contracts in the UK are regulated under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and associated rules from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) so insurers must treat claims fairly and provide full information. But the policy wording remains central. Many UK insurance providers treat attached garages as part of the buildings insurance for the main dwelling, and treat detached garages as outbuildings, which may have lower limits or specific exclusions. One insurer summary states that garage doors will “usually be covered as part of your home insurance” but that this depends on the specifics of the policy and whether the garage is attached or not. For the remote device itself the policy may treat it as part of the door system, as an accessory under contents cover, or as an unspecified accessory not covered. The result is that a damaged or stolen remote may not automatically give rise to a claim unless tied to a broader covered peril (for example theft of the remote leading to forced entry).

Steps or stages in assessing your cover

If you have a remote-controlled garage door and you want to assess whether your remote is covered by your home insurance policy, or you have an incident and you are considering a claim, here are the key stages you should walk through:

First review your insurance policy documentation carefully. Identify how your policy defines the garage structure, the fixtures and fittings of the garage, the door, the control system, and any remote devices. Check whether the garage is treated as part of the “buildings” cover (in the case of an attached garage) or as an “outbuilding” (in the case of a detached garage). Note whether there are specific limits or exclusions for outbuildings. The insurer may treat the remote device as part of the “door system” and hence part of the buildings cover, or may treat it as “contents” (which may be covered under your contents insurance) or may exclude accessories altogether.

Second examine the cause of the incident. Insurance cover will typically depend on the peril involved. For example if your remote is stolen and that leads to someone using that remote to break into your garage and home, the claim might involve theft of the door or forced entry rather than simply loss of the remote. If the remote fails due to wear and tear or electronic fault this may be excluded because wear and tear is commonly not covered. Several specialist sources note that damage caused by neglect, gradual deterioration or wear and tear is often not covered.

Third consider the security and condition of the door and remote system at the time of the incident. Insurers often emphasise that you must maintain a secure system, lock the garage, maintain the control system, and ensure the remote is kept in a safe location. For example one advice article states that you should hide the remote inside your house rather than leaving it in view in a car or on a dashboard. If the remote was left unsafe, or the door security compromised because of a weak remote or weak transmitter system, the insurer may challenge a claim.

Fourth when you suspect you have a valid claim contact your insurer promptly. Document the incident: take photographs, note the make and model of the door and remote, record the time and place, retain any police report if theft or break-in is involved, and gather repair quotes. Many repair specialists also offer insurance-work quotes and may liaise with insurers. Fifth if the claim is accepted you may face an excess payment (typical home insurance excesses vary) and any payout will be subject to your policy limits and whether the cover was for buildings, contents or outbuildings. If the remote is part of the door system and the door itself has damage, the replacement cost may be higher than just the remote. If only the remote is lost or stolen and no damage has occurred, you may not be covered or only under contents cover if specified.

Timelines and costs

In terms of timeline, once you report an incident to your insurer they will typically require initial notification within a few days of discovery (this will be set out in your policy). The assessment, appointment of surveyor, obtaining quotes and decision process may take several weeks. Repairs to doors and remotes can be undertaken within days depending on availability of parts and installer but the insurance process may delay payment or works. If the remote is lost and needs simple replacement, cost may be modest (tens of pounds plus labour if an engineer is required). However if the remote loss or theft leads to forced entry, damage to the door, or replacement of the motor or receiver then costs may run into the hundreds or thousands of pounds. Some specialist sources dealing with garage door insurers note that the overall cost for door replacement or upgrade may be significant. In the context of a claim you must also consider the excess on your policy and whether making a claim for a relatively low-value item like a remote is worthwhile (you may lose your no-claims discount). In practice many homeowners address remote loss or failure without claiming. From a property professional’s view it is advisable to assess whether remote replacement may trigger review of your policy or indicate a broader security upgrade.

Risks or pitfalls

There are several pitfalls associated with assuming that a garage door remote will simply be covered by home insurance. One major risk is that the policy may not cover “accessory devices” or may treat remote devices separately from the door system and exclude them. If the remote is the only item lost or stolen and no damage arises to the door or premises, the insurer may decline cover or offer very limited cover under contents. Another pitfall is assuming all garages are treated the same: detached garages may be outbuildings with lower cover limit or different terms. The insurer may require particular security standards (locking mechanisms, approved remotes, wall-mounted controls) and if these are not met the claim may be denied or reduced. Wear and tear, neglect or poor maintenance are common reasons for claim rejection if the door or remote were in poor condition. As one article warns wear and tear and minor damage (such as small dents) may not be covered. Poor documentation is another pitfall: if you have replaced your remote with a non-approved third-party unit that compromises the security of the system you may invalidate your cover or the insurer may deem the door system insecure. There is also a risk that if a remote is lost and used by an intruder to access the garage and subsequently the home, then the cause of entry may be considered a security failure and the insurer may challenge liability. Finally, making a claim for a low-value remote may not be cost-effective, and repeated claims can lead to higher premiums or loss of no-claims discounts.

Success tips for ensuring cover

To maximise the chance that your garage door remote (and associated system) is covered under your home insurance, the following best practice advice applies. Ensure your policy wording clearly includes the garage structure, door, fixtures and fittings and control devices, or at least confirm whether accessories such as remotes fall under your cover. If your garage is detached make sure it is listed under your buildings cover or ask about outbuilding limits and whether the door and remote are included. Maintain your door system and remote in good order. Carry out regular servicing of the garage door operator and control system, ensure the remote is stored securely and not left in vehicles or outside. Choose remotes and door systems that meet recognised security standards (for example rolling-code technology in remotes, strong locking mechanisms, certified door systems) and avoid using non-approved hardware that may compromise security. After installation or replacement of a remote control device record the details (make, model, serial number) and notify your insurer if the remote forms part of an upgraded system. In the event of theft of the remote act promptly to cancel or reprogramme the system so the remote cannot be used to access the garage. Document any loss or damage (photographs, police report if relevant, quotes for repair) and liaise with your insurer early. Consider the cost-benefit of claiming: if the cost is small relative to your excess or if your no-claims discount would be affected you may prefer to pay for replacement privately. For property professionals or landlords installing remote-controlled garage doors for multiple units ensure that the installation meets insurer or security-certification requirements and that tenants are advised on remote security and storage responsibilities.

Sustainable or design considerations

From a design and longevity perspective it is worth treating the remote and the door system as part of your overall building access and security infrastructure rather than a “nice to have” accessory. Remotes with rolling-code encryption and just-in-time re-programming functions reduce the risk of cloning or misuse and thus reduce your insurance risk. Upgrading older door operators to modern standards can improve insulation, reduce energy loss (especially for attached garages), and enhance long-term value in your property. Ensuring that your remote system is compatible with smart-home integration (for example audit logs or remote disablement) may also provide additional security layers and potentially favourable treatment by insurers who assess security risk. For landlords or self-builders designing new or refurbished properties it is a good opportunity to integrate the garage door and remote system into the broader home security and building envelope strategy which may reduce insurance premiums and improve tenant or buyer confidence.

Case examples

Example 1: A homeowner in the Midlands lost their garage door remote and did not reprogramme the system immediately. Some weeks later the remote was cloned and an intruder accessed the garage and then the house via the internal door. The homeowner submitted a claim for theft and damage, but the insurer declined on the basis that the remote key-fob was left unsecured in a vehicle overnight and the door system had not been reprogrammed to cancel the lost remote. The homeowner had to replace the door operator and remote system at their own cost of approximately £950.

Example 2: A landlord running a converted garage unit as a tenant parking space installed a low-cost universal remote unit that lacked rolling-code encryption. A tenant reported the remote being triggered from an adjacent property. The landlord’s insurer held that the door’s remote system constituted a security risk and increased the premium; the landlord upgraded to a branded rolling-code remote system at a cost of about £420 and notified the insurer. Following this upgrade the insurance was renewed at the same premium rather than an increase.

Example 3: In a suburban attached garage in London a homeowner experienced storm damage when a high wind lifted the sectional door and damaged the remote receiver. The buildings policy covered the structural damage to the door, tracks and motor, but the insurer treated the remote receiver (an accessory) under equipment cover; because the remote accessory was not specifically listed the payout for that part was limited and the homeowner ended paying the cost of the replacement remote handset (approx £50) themselves.

Conclusion

While a garage door remote is a relatively small component of an automated door system its role in security and access means it must not be ignored when assessing home insurance cover. Whether the remote is covered by your home insurance depends on how the policy defines the garage door system, whether the remote is treated as part of the “buildings” or “contents”, whether the incident was caused by an insured peril, and whether the door and remote were maintained and secured in a manner consistent with your insurer’s expectations. If you have an attachment or detached garage with a remote-controlled door you should review your policy, verify that your remote system meets recognised security standards, keep documentation of any replacements or upgrades, and take prompt action in the event of loss or theft of a remote. Making a claim for a remote alone may not always make sense given excesses and no-claims implications so weigh the cost-benefit. In practice modernising your remote and door system may pay dividends not only in convenience and security but also in ensuring your insurance remains valid and effective.