A car hit the door. Do not run it until someone has looked
The dent you can see is rarely the whole damage. A bent track or a shifted bracket makes the next cycle the one that takes the door off its rails.
What is probably happening
- One or more panels are dented or buckled. On a sectional door, panels can be replaced individually.
- The track is bent at the point of impact, or a bracket has pulled from the jamb. That is what makes the door jump the track on the next cycle.
- If the hit was hard, a cable may have jumped its drum and the door may be unbalanced.
- If the door was struck while moving, the opener rail or trolley may be bent too.
Do this in the next five minutes
- Unplug the opener.
- Photograph everything before anyone touches it: panels, both tracks, both top corners, the opener rail. You need this for the insurer and for the quote.
- Do not pull the car out if the door is resting on it. Leave it for the technician.
- Call your homeowners insurer if the damage looks like more than your deductible. Progressive's guidance: if you back into your own garage door, auto insurance likely will not cover it, and a homeowners claim may be worth it if the cost exceeds your deductible.
- Get two quotes: a panel and track repair, and a full door. The gap between them tells you what to do.
Do not
- Do not run the door to 'see if it still works'. A bent track throws rollers.
- Do not touch cables or brackets. DASMA: trained technician only, because of spring tension.
- Do not sign a full replacement on the spot without a repair quote in writing.
Who to call
A garage door technician
Panels, track and balance are one trade. The insurer will want an itemized quote from that trade.
BestHonestPro is a free comparison resource, not a contractor. There is nothing to sign up for and we do not sell your details. When we begin connecting callers to contractors, we will be paid a referral fee by the contractor, never by you, and this line will say so.
What it should cost
$250 to $1,000 per panel. $754 to $1,707 for a full door
Panel replacement range and full replacement typical range, average $1,230 per door
Source: Angi, garage door repair cost and garage door replacement cost, updated August 2026. View source
National published range, not a quote for your job. The full cost table for this trade is on the garage doors page.
Ask this contractor, on the phone, before anyone comes out
Tap each one as you ask it.
- Can the panel be replaced on my door, or is the model discontinued? If discontinued, is a close match available?
- Is the track bent, and is the track straightened or replaced in this price?
- Give me the repair quote and the full replacement quote separately, itemized, in writing.
End the call if
- Full replacement is the only option offered. Angi puts a sectional door panel at $250 to $500.
- An offer to handle your insurance claim for you, or to eat your deductible. That is the roofing storm-chaser playbook moved to garage doors.