Owning and maintaining a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is part of owning a home. Will your home insurance coverage pay for times when your AC system breaks down? Not if the issue involves regular maintainance, but you can get a payout for damage caused by a peril mentioned in your policy.
When Does Homeowners Insurance cover AC?
The dwelling coverage of your homeowners insurance plan may cover damage caused by a peril, such as a storm that knocks a tree over on your home. Unintentional fire is also covered, whereas intentional fire is not. If your AC system is damaged by disasters beyond your control, such as theft and vandalism, your policy will likely pay for repair costs. Damage due to water issues may be covered as well.
When Does Homeowners Insurance Not Cover AC?
All equipment degrades over time, even modern durable air conditioners designed to last 15 years or more. Your home insurance coverage likely won’t pay for anything related to normal wear and tear of the unit, whereas your warranty might. Failing to maintain your HVAC system is grounds for your insurer to deny a claim for breaking down since it’s the homeowners responsibility to routinely check their appliances.
Extreme perils such as earthquakes and flooding usually require special coverage that’s separate from your basic homeowners plan. Other perils that homeowners insurance doesn’t cover include certain types of flooding, war, and a nuclear hazard.
Filing A Homeowners Insurance Claim for Your AC
Once you’ve determined the damage to your AC unit was due to a peril covered by your homeowners insurance policy, you should promptly file a claim with your insurer. Be sure to take several photos of the damage and submit a copy of the police report if one was made. You will likely need to provide your insurer with your AC unit’s model and serial number.
An insurance adjuster will be assigned to your case, and they will probably visit your home to inspect your AC unit. Before that happens, you should get repair estimates from different vendors. If you’ve gone ahead and paid for repairs, give the receipts to your adjuster, requesting reimbursement.
Filing a Home Warranty Claim for Your AC
Just like with an insurance claim, you should first examine whether or not you should file a warranty claim for your AC unit. A warranty, unlike insurance, typically covers wear and tear over a certain time frame. If your unit breaks down and requires expensive repair work, filing a claim is in your best interest.
Contact the home warranty company and request a contractor to schedule a visit to your home. Then find out if the unit needs service or if it makes more sense to replace it.
Insure Your Home’s Appliances with Chambers Insurance!
An AC system can be a big repair expense sometimes, especially if it’s old equipment. Your home insurance only covers so much to protect the system, usually for disasters beyond your control. Contact us at Chambers & Company Insurance Brokers for more information on home insurance coverage.