Is it hail damage?
- Round dents across the panels, often more on the side facing the storm
- Dents on other things from the same storm: gutters, vents, cars, siding
- Cracked or broken window inserts in the door
Hail is common here: storm reports logged 34 hail reports within 10 miles of central Tulsa in 2025 (Stormersite, NOAA Storm Prediction Center reports, 2025).
Step by step after a storm
Based on the Oklahoma Insurance Department's storm-claim guidance (Oklahoma Insurance Department, Mar 9, 2026), which covers all storm damage, not only hail:
- Photograph everything in daylight: the whole door, close-ups with a coin for scale, and other damage from the same storm. Note the date. Keep damaged parts until your insurer says you can throw them away.
- Make temporary repairs only (for example, so the door closes and the house is secure), and keep every receipt.
- Get a written repair estimate. The department advises contacting your insurance company or agent after you have an estimate.
- Let the insurer inspect and agree on the repair cost before any permanent work.
- Get more than one bid, check references, don't pay up front, and never sign a contract with blank spaces.
- Watch the deadline: replacement-cost policies may require the work to be done within six months of the date of loss to get the withheld payment.
Deductible "waived"? Walk away.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department says offers to waive your deductible or give a rebate are illegal (Oklahoma Insurance Department, Mar 9, 2026).
Repair or replace?
A few dents in one section can sometimes be fixed by replacing that panel, if it's still made for your door. Widespread dents, cracked panels or a door that no longer runs straight usually mean a new door. Ask for both options in writing. Your insurer decides what's covered.
What a new door usually costs
| Door | Typical installed price (US) |
|---|---|
| One-car | $1,093–$1,674 |
| Two-car | $2,186–$3,348 |
| Steel (standard installation) | $1,093–$1,288 |
Source: This Old House, updated Mar 13, 2026. National figures, not a quote.
Useful numbers
- Oklahoma Insurance Department consumer assistance: 800-522-0071
- Report contractor fraud (Oklahoma Attorney General): 833-681-1895