Hail Damage on Your Garage Door: Repair, Replace or Claim?
Hail is part of life in San Antonio, TX. After a storm, the garage door is often the largest flat piece of steel facing the street, and it shows dents first. Some of those dents are only cosmetic. Others bend the sections enough to affect how the door runs. This guide covers how to tell the difference, the repair and replacement options, and how to approach an insurance claim without being rushed.
How often hail hits the San Antonio area
Most large-hail reports in Bexar County come in March, April and May (NOAA Storm Events, 1995–2026). A few storms stand out in the records:
- On April 12, 2016, hail up to 4.5 inches fell on northwest San Antonio; NOAA and the Insurance Council of Texas put damage near $1.36 billion.
- NOAA lists 5.5-inch hail near Sayers and China Grove on May 3, 2021.
Not every spring brings a storm like those, and many hail events miss most homes entirely. The point is simply that if you own a home here for a while, a hail check on the garage door is a normal part of upkeep.
Cosmetic dents vs damage that affects the door
Look at the door in low, slanting light, from the side, and then run it through a full open and close.
- Small dents, door runs smoothly (often cosmetic)
- Cracked or split paint (can let rust start on steel)
- A section bent or creased near a hinge
- The door binds, sticks or runs crooked
- Rollers rubbing or popping out of the track
- Cracked windows or split wood panels
- Dents on the struts or the top section
Small dents on a door that still runs smoothly are often a cosmetic issue. A creased section, a door that binds, or a roller leaving the track is a working problem. Stop using a door that binds or leans, since bent sections can stress the opener and the hardware. Our off-track repair page explains why.
Repair, replace a panel, or replace the door?
| Option | Typical range | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Dents / bent sections repair | $100–$700 | Limited damage; door still runs |
| Panel replacement | $150–$1,000 | One or two sections badly dented or bent, and a matching panel is available |
| New sectional steel door, installed | $700–$2,000 (avg ≈ $993) | Several sections damaged, panel discontinued, or the door was due anyway |
Matching is the catch. A replacement panel has to match the design, size and color of the rest of the door. Older or discontinued designs can be hard to match, and a new panel may look brighter than faded ones beside it. Ask the company whether it can get an exact match before you decide. Our panel replacement and hail damage page goes into the details, and the new door installation page covers full replacement.
For the full price table and a planning calculator, see the garage door repair cost page.
Insurance: what to know before you call
Homeowners policies often cover sudden hail damage, subject to your deductible and policy terms; check with your insurer. Whether a claim makes sense depends on your deductible, whether the roof and other parts of the house were also hit, and what your policy says about cosmetic damage. Only your insurer can tell you what is covered.
- Take dated photos of the door, close up and from the street, before anything is repaired.
- Photograph hail on the ground if it is safely possible, and note the date and time of the storm.
- Get a written estimate that lists the damage and the repair or replacement.
- Read your policy or call your insurer about the deductible and how they handle cosmetic dents.
- Keep the itemized invoice and, if possible, the old parts.
After a storm, slow down
Hail storms bring door-to-door sales. Be wary of anyone who asks for cash upfront, has no local address, or pushes you to sign that day. Texas law (Bus. & Com. Code ch. 601) generally lets you cancel a home-solicited sale over $25 until midnight of the third business day after you sign; repairs you asked for may be treated differently. This is general information, not legal advice.
HOAs and historic districts
If hail pushes you toward a new door, check the rules first. Many San Antonio communities, including Stone Oak, The Dominion, Timberwood Park and Fair Oaks Ranch, have architectural committees; get written approval before changing door style or color. In historic districts like King William and Monte Vista, exterior changes need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Office of Historic Preservation, and the city's 2012 guidelines ask that replacement garage doors be "compatible with those found on historic garages in the district (e.g., wood paneled)".
Inside San Antonio city limits, the city's No Permit Required list includes replacing existing doors, and its repair-permit form says like-for-like door replacement needs no permit. Changing the size of the opening does need a permit. Rules differ by city; ask the installer or call your city.
Questions to ask the companies that quote
- Is this damage cosmetic, or is it affecting how the door runs?
- Can you get an exact matching panel? What is the model?
- Can I see a repair quote and a replacement quote side by side?
- Will the written estimate list the hail damage clearly for my insurer?
- What are the warranty terms, in writing?
San Antonio Garage Door Experts is a free quote-matching service, not a garage door company. Describe the damage on the free quote form and independent local companies can reply with quotes. Companies may pay to receive requests. You can also call (726) 600-2478.
Frequently asked questions
Does homeowners insurance cover hail damage to a garage door?
Homeowners policies often cover sudden hail damage, subject to your deductible and policy terms. Some policies treat cosmetic dents differently. Check with your insurer before you decide, and take dated photos before any repair.
Can a hail-dented garage door be repaired?
Often, yes. Fixr (January 2025) puts dent and bent-section repair at about $100 to $700 and panel replacement at about $150 to $1,000. If several sections are damaged or a matching panel isn't available, a new door may make more sense.
When is hail season in San Antonio?
Most large-hail reports in Bexar County come in March, April and May, according to NOAA Storm Events records from 1995 to 2026. Storms can happen in other months too, but far less often.
Should I sign with a company that knocks on my door after a storm?
Take your time. Get written estimates from more than one company, avoid paying cash upfront, and check for a local address. Texas law generally lets you cancel a home-solicited sale over $25 until midnight of the third business day after you sign; repairs you asked for may be treated differently. This is not legal advice.