How Much Does A Car Door Replacement Cost?

Many components go into a car door’s replacement cost. What you pay overall will depend on what damages are covered by your car insurance policy and what the prices of your parts and labor are.

According to our research, car door replacement costs can run anywhere from $200 to $2,500. Choosing the best car insurance company for you will make a big impact on how much you’ll spend on car door repairs after an accident.

There are many factors that will affect your car door replacement cost. Between purchasing the car door shell, which can run between $200 and $1,500, and paying for labor and interior door parts, you can expect to pay about $500 to $2,500 total for a car door replacement.

To find these numbers, we consulted auto repair specialists and scoured online forums to hear from customers with firsthand experience. The estimates we came across ranged from do-it-yourself repairs using secondhand parts to having a dealership complete repairs with authentic replacement doors.

Other than your choice of repair method and quality of parts, factors that will go into your car door replacement cost include:

• Make, model, and year of your car
• The extent of the door and door hardware damage
• Cost of labor
• Level of insurance coverage
• Your car insurance deductible

Here’s an example of how insurance can affect your car door replacement cost: Let’s say you have collision insurance with a $500 deductible. You bought your car within the past two years, so a used door is not available – you’ll have to get a new door from the dealer.

The total price of labor and parts comes out to $2,000. In this case, all you’ll pay is your $500 deductible, saving you sufficient money on the overall cost.

However, not all insurance policies cover car door repair. Read on to learn more.

Whether your car door replacement cost will be covered by insurance depends on the type of policy you have and how your door was damaged. Each type of car insurance covers different situations.

Be aware that your own car door will not be covered by your insurance if you’re the one at fault and you only have your state’s minimum required coverage. Full-coverage auto insurance covers vehicle damage when you’re the one at fault.

Below are a few common scenarios for needing a new car door.

Someone Hits Your Car

Let’s say someone else hits your door in an accident that they cause. If you live in a traditional at-fault state, the other driver’s liability insurance should pay your car door replacement cost.

If you live in a no-fault state, you’ll need to have added collision coverage to your policy before the accident to cover damage to your own car.

You Hit Someone Else’s Car

If you’re at fault for an accident, you’ll also need collision insurance to cover the cost of your own repairs. Your liability auto insurance will take care of the other driver’s damage, and your collision coverage will pay your car door replacement cost, minus a deductible.

You Hit An Inanimate Object

Collision coverage also covers your car door replacement cost if you accidentally hit a highway divider, telephone pole, fence, or another inanimate object.

This type of insurance may also pay for the cost to fix the object you hit if it’s on someone else’s property.

You Experience Damage From An Act Of Nature

You don’t have to be driving your car for it to get damaged. When hail, trees, or even animals damage your vehicle, comprehensive car insurance steps in to help you cover repair costs.

This coverage will also pay for expenses such as a car door replacement if someone vandalizes or steals parts off your car.

Someone Hits Your Car And Drives Off

Unfortunately, it’s important to be ready for scenarios like hit-and-run accidents. If a driver hits your door, knocks it off its hinges, and speeds off, you won’t be able to get their liability insurance details to cover the car door replacement cost.

This is where uninsured motorist property damage insurance steps in. If you were also injured in the accident, uninsured motorist bodily injury insurance would cover your medical costs.

If you’re in need of a car door replacement, the cost isn’t the only thing you may have concerns about. Here are a few other common questions:

How Long Does It Take To Replace A Car Door?

How long it will take to replace a car door depends on the extent of the damage and the availability of parts. Online auto repair specialists mention that it can take anywhere from a day to a week to replace a new car door.

If you have to hunt around for the best-priced parts or wait on your insurer to process a claim, it could extend the repair window by a few days.

How Do You Fix A Broken Car Door?

If there is extensive damage to your car door, we don’t recommend taking a DIY approach without proper expertise.

A simple door replacement may be doable on your own, but it’s important to first find out whether connecting door parts and electric components were also damaged in the accident. We recommend bringing your car to a professional for a full assessment.

If you’re in an accident, most auto insurance companies recommend you call them immediately to report the details of what happened.

With some insurers, you’ll need to take your vehicle to a pre-approved repair shop. You’ll get a quote from your mechanic and report back to your insurer. In some cases, your car insurance provider will also send an insurance adjuster out to assess the damages or request an assessment from your repair shop.

After you file a claim, you can still choose to repair the door on your own if you’re quoted a high car-door replacement cost or if your insurance company refuses to cover professional repairs.

Making crucial repairs after an accident shouldn’t be a hassle. The best car insurance companies provide clear instructions for filing a claim, getting your car damage assessed, and communicating with your auto body shop. Below, you can read more about two of our top recommended providers that have earned high ratings for their insurance claims processes.

Be sure to speak with your agent when you set up a new account to clarify when common costs are covered by your plan. Once you find the right auto insurance company and select a full coverage policy, a car door replacement cost should not be a large financial strain.

USAA: 4.6 Stars

USAA car insurance is only available to military members, veterans, and their immediate families. The company was rated highly in every region in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study^SM but was not able to be included in the study’s formal ranking because of its strict eligibility limits.

However, if you’re able to get USAA insurance, it offers some of the best coverage and rates in the industry, as well as:

• Extensive discounts for military members
• A highly-rated mobile app
• Plans for drivers in all 50 states

Geico: 4.6 Stars

Geico is one of the most reputable insurers in the U.S. The company has streamlined the quotes and claims processes with its mobile app, making it quicker for customers to get back on the road after an accident.

A few highlights of Geico include:

• A++ financial strength rating from AM Best
• A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
• Extensive discount options for students, military members, safe drivers, and loyal customers
• Mechanical breakdown insurance

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car insurance providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a car insurance company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

• Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.

• Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.

• Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
• Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer easy-to-use claims apps.

*Data accurate at time of publication.