Damage at Rental Property - How to Handle It as The Renter?

joshjosh210 on 12/09/2022 - 09:09

Hi guys,

Over the weekend I accidently backed a trailer into a B&D Sectional Double Garage door at the property my partner and I are renting. The garage door is a total write off as all four panels are bent. Track and Motor OK. After speaking to a couple of local garage door installers / repairers it sounds like it will cost several thousand dollars to replace the door and have it all installed.

My question is, how should we go about the repair and what are my options? I take full responsibility for the damage, and will pay for it in full if need be.

a. Will I need to cover the full cost of garage door replacement?
b. Is this something that is covered by my automotive insurance? (I have third party, fire and theft on the vehicle in question)
c. Is this what the bond we paid is for?
d. Is there insurance that the real estate / landlord has for things like this?

We have already purchased a house and don't necessarily need the agent to give us a glowing review in the future - but we want to keep it legal and not get in any form of trouble. Apart from this, the house is as we left it and has been looked after.

Thanks!

Home & Garden

Comments

  • El cheepo on 12/09/2022 - 09:15
    +6

    Speak to your landlord or agent and see what agreement you can come to.

    No car insurance wont cover it (especially not 3rd party)
    No the bond isn’t necessarily for that, but will be taken if you don’t pay for the damages.
    Unlikely the landlord will take a hit on their home insurance for you. (Not impossible, but not likely)

    • joshjosh210 on 12/09/2022 - 09:34

      Thanks for the comment - I will touch base with the real estate shortly and have a chat to them.

    • iDroid on 12/09/2022 - 10:16
      +5

      No car insurance wont cover it (especially not 3rd party)

      Are you certain? Third party property damage is (as far as I understand) covered by most automotive insurance policies.

      I'm not saying you're wrong, but I'm not convinced :)

      • Drakesy on 12/09/2022 - 11:46

        You may have a point here.

      • dwillia on 12/09/2022 - 11:50
        +2

        RAC paid for a door I reversed into - fully comp tho

      • El cheepo on 12/09/2022 - 14:46
        +1

        I very well could be wrong, I imagine it will vary by each insurer but would be pretty impressed if a third party policy covers a person for damage to their own (rental) property.
        (Probably should have been more clear when making such a definitive statement that i meant No third party insurance would cover it)
        I assume they would treat it the same as damage to your own car, happy to be proved wrong though.

        Great for the op if it is covered.

        Quick call to insurance company and or read of their pds would give the answer though.

        • kiitos on 13/09/2022 - 07:59
          +1

          But it's not their own property, it's the landlord's. I too would have thought this would be covered.

    • Drakesy on 12/09/2022 - 11:47
      +3

      Car insurance should cover it (that's what third party is for)

    • Juggernauto on 13/09/2022 - 09:55
      +1

      My wife went through exactly similar situation, damaged garage door and insurance covered all costs, it was comprehensive though

      • El cheepo on 13/09/2022 - 10:17

        Hopefully the OP has the same luck with third party.

  • singlemalt72 on 12/09/2022 - 09:17

    The landlord should have insurance, speak to the property manager and you may only need to pay the excess.

    • bobbified on 12/09/2022 - 09:18
      +6

      …and you may only need to pay the excess.

      The only problem with that is, after the landlord makes a claim on their policy, the insurance company may then chase the OP for the actual damages.

      • singlemalt72 on 12/09/2022 - 09:23

        It's a sticky topic, realistically they shouldn't be, but it happens.

        https://www.choice.com.au/money/property/renting/articles/la…

        I

        • bobbified on 12/09/2022 - 09:28

          There was this story about a kitchen fire where the insurer chased the tenants. They eventually relented and promised they wouldn't chase accidental damage. But I believe that was that one (major) insurer only. I'm not sure if any of the budget insurers would let things go so easily. I took out Renters insurance for this before - just in case something happened - like a water leak or fire etc that might impact multiple apartments. The recovery cost would send most people bankrupt!

    • joshjosh210 on 12/09/2022 - 09:34

      Thanks, I will talk to the real estate (I don't have direct landlord connection) and see how we go from there.

  • bobbified on 12/09/2022 - 09:25
    +2

    a. Will I need to cover the full cost of garage door replacement?

    Yes - you'll need to cover the cost one way or another, but it won't be the cost of a brand new door. It'll be the 'depreciated' value.

    b. Is this something that is covered by my automotive insurance? (I have third party, fire and theft on the vehicle in question)

    Read your PDS - if there is cover, it'll be to the landlord's property only. The damage to your vehicle won't be covered.

    c. Is this what the bond we paid is for?

    The bond is there if you don't pay up for the damage separately. If the damage exceeds the bond amount, the landlord can still chase you for the difference, so no point trying to run.

    d. Is there insurance that the real estate / landlord has for things like this?

    The landlord may have Landlord Insurance, but that's for their benefit and if they make a claim, the insurer may still chase you for the cost of the claim. Renters have the option of getting their own insurance, but it doesn't sound like you did.

    • joshjosh210 on 12/09/2022 - 09:35

      Thanks, trying to find my PDS now! I will chase up with the landlord and see how we go.

    • Seraphin7 on 12/09/2022 - 10:30
      +4

      The landlord may have Landlord Insurance, but that's for their benefit. Renters can get their own insurance, but it doesn't sound like you did.

      100%. This concept seems to be lost on people … "why can't you just claim it on your insurance?"

      The insurance company provides policies for the benefit of the policyholder to ensure they are not left out of pocket (notwithstanding excesses, exclusions, etc.). By making that claim, the policyholder will nominate the at fault party(ies) who will then be pursued by the insurer for the loss. If those at fault have their own policy, they may be able to lodge a claim on that to cover the loss, but otherwise it's time to pony up.

  • Ridiculous Panda on 12/09/2022 - 09:28
    +10

    I can’t see why your car insurance won’t pay for it. It should be covered as it is a 3rd party damage cause by you driving your car.
    I know a friend who did the same thing and was stressed. I told him to give his car insurer a call and they were happy to cover everything. He had comprehensive insurance but it should be the same for you except they won’t fix your car/trailer.

    • joshjosh210 on 12/09/2022 - 09:35

      Thanks, no damage to my vehicle/trailer. I also have business insurance (which the trailer is linked to) and I was using it for work so I will talk to both of them.

    • netjock on 12/09/2022 - 09:37
      +6

      I can’t see why your car insurance won’t pay for it.

      This is the right answer!

      You drove your car into third party property and it needs to be paid to be rectified?

      • joshjosh210 on 12/09/2022 - 09:40
        +1

        Not sure how I didn't think of this, but this seems like a very correct answer. I will talk to the real estate first, but car insurance is looking good.

  • redfox1200 on 12/09/2022 - 09:35
    -2

    there is no way the landlord will pay for damage that you did, you will have to cover the damage yourself

    • TilacVIP on 27/09/2022 - 08:55

      I guess what you meant to say is that the Landlord is not going to get it fixed via their Landlord insurance, they would rather the tenant get it fixed in whatever way they can.

      I too agree, most landlord will not want to get involved.

  • JimB on 12/09/2022 - 09:49
    +1

    B.

  • jv on 12/09/2022 - 10:28
    +1

    a. Will I need to cover the full cost of garage door replacement?

    Yes

    b. Is this something that is covered by my automotive insurance? (I have third party, fire and theft on the vehicle in question)

    Maybe

    c. Is this what the bond we paid is for?

    No

    d. Is there insurance that the real estate / landlord has for things like this?

    Not if the insurance company finds out you caused it

    • joshjosh210 on 12/09/2022 - 10:37

      I feel blessed to have jv reply. Thanks !

      • Lord Fart Bucket on 12/09/2022 - 12:10
        +1

        I feel blessed to have jv reply. Thanks !

        I feel blessed to have jv reply. Thanks !

        FTFY

  • AndyC1 on 12/09/2022 - 11:01
    -1

    Even if it is covered by some insurance the insurance company will come after you for the repair costs PLUS costs to cover their time. As such it will be cheaper for you to get it fixed.

    Check gumtree for used garage doors. Check demolition companies to see if they know anyone who removed gararge doors before they demo places.

    • spal on 12/09/2022 - 11:21

      If it is accidental damage and the OP claims under their own car insurance or building insurance I can't see a reason why the insurance company would come after him. What you say would happen only if the landlord were to claim under their own insurance, which should not be required in this case.

  • spal on 12/09/2022 - 11:23
    +4

    It is nice to see a post where someone is after some good advice without actually wanting to get out of it, has not created a new ghost account and have engaged with the responses. Thank you OP.

  • 7ekn00 on 12/09/2022 - 11:30
    +2

    Play bogan, hammer it straight and then pretend it was like that all along and you never noticed :P

  • c64 on 12/09/2022 - 11:36
    +1

    saw the title, got excited, but was disappointed to find it wasn't about a cooker & gas bottle

  • apple2016 on 12/09/2022 - 11:43

    b. Is this something that is covered by my automotive insurance? (I have third party, fire and theft on the vehicle in question)

    I think your insurance should cover it. Some insurance do not cover accidents on private land though. Read the PDS.

  • dwillia on 12/09/2022 - 11:48

    If you had fully comp insurance on your car it would be covered

  • redforever on 12/09/2022 - 12:31

    Some car insurer doesn't cover damage to your own property. I presume you are ok given it is a rental property.

  • nswnotill on 13/09/2022 - 08:18

    I had a similar experience. Spouse backed the car into a closed roller door, and it was damaged by the towbar. (no damage to car) I claimed on house insurance for a new door. All up cost around $2000 plus. I paid the excess Happened about two years ago.
    Claim is now noted on my house renewal policy.

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