Does Homeowners Insurance Cover AC?

Being comfortable and having a high quality of life depends on a functioning HVAC system, so it's necessary to budget for maintenance costs and even the replacement of an old unit.

While homeowners insurance frequently excludes wear and tear, a home warranty may cover the repair or replacement of your AC unit due to continuous use.

If your AC wasn't harmed by a covered peril under your coverage, you probably shouldn't expect your insurance company to pay out.

You may either get a home warranty to assist cover upkeep and repairs, or you might save a cash emergency reserve for house repairs. Damage or destruction could occasionally be covered by your homeowner's insurance.

When does AC get covered by home insurance?

Depending on your policy and limits, your HVAC system may be covered under the dwelling coverage or personal property coverage component of your home's policy if the damage or loss is caused by a covered risk. You might be compensated for AC replacement or repair in the following situations:

A few weather-related issues

If your AC unit is damaged by hail, strong winds, or lightning, it might be covered, according to the terms of your insurance. And your policy might pay for damages if a tree falls on your air conditioner. However, as flood and earthquake damage are frequently excluded from most homeowner policies, you might not be compensated if your AC sustains damage as a result of these types of loss.

Damage from fire and water

Your home's insurance policy can provide coverage if a fire breaks out in your house or a pipe bursts unexpectedly, necessitating the repair or replacement of your air conditioner. Your unit might not be covered if flooding is the source of the loss and causes water damage.

Vandalism and theft

Despite the rarity of theft, your AC unit may be covered if it sustains damage due to vandalism. Typically, you must submit a police complaint before making a claim for theft or vandalism.

A home's insurance policy can benefit from the addition of a house warranty because it will pay out for items that degrade over time. Home warranty claims are normally only rejected when the owner is at fault, when they are improperly installed or serviced, or when the damage is already covered by homeowners insurance.

You might not be protected if your HVAC system malfunctions due to improper maintenance. A home warranty normally does not cover unforeseen occurrences like lightning. However, house warranties are made to cover the cost if a part, or perhaps your entire device, needs to be fixed or replaced as a result of wear and tear.

When does home insurance not cover air conditioning?

Although most contemporary air conditioners are made to last up to 15-20 years, they will ultimately stop working due to wear and tear, much like any frequently used home appliances. Since homeowners insurance is intended to cover unforeseen events, it is not meant to assist in cases when a window air conditioner or air conditioning system needs to be repaired as a result of normal wear and tear. However, a house warranty accomplishes this.

Normally, if you damage your AC unit or neglect to properly maintain it, neither your home warranty nor your homeowner's insurance will protect you. For instance, even your house warranty may not cover the breakdown of your AC if it is discovered that you never changed your air filter. Some home warranties exclude stand-alone units unless you want to add additional appliance coverage.

Exclusions from coverage frequently apply in the reverse sense when it comes to home insurance. Repairs resulting from events other than normal use are frequently not covered by warranties but maybe by homeowners insurance. Additionally, wear-and-tear repairs are typically not covered by homeowners insurance but are, in most circumstances, specifically covered by home warranties.

Making an AC claim with your homeowner's insurance

Read the fine print of your homeowner's insurance policy to better understand the coverage that can apply to your air conditioning or heating systems. If the type or amount of coverage given does not satisfy you, compare home insurance quotes until you discover a company that does. By comparing prices, you could even be able to lower the cost of your home insurance.

Here are some suggestions you might find useful to keep in mind when filing a claim if you incur damage to your air conditioner and have confirmed that it is covered by your homes insurance policy:

• Take pictures of any damage you notice.

• If the cause of the loss warrants it, obtain a copy of the police report.

• Note the model and a serial number of your device.

• Make a claim over the phone or online with your homeowner's insurance company.

• The insurance adjuster should be met.

• Keep the receipts you received for the required repairs.

• Send your homeowner's insurance company your receipts for reimbursement.

The claim procedure may vary according to your provider, so check with an agent if you want to be sure there aren't any other conditions.

Making an AC claim under your home warranty

Understanding what is covered by your home warranty is the first step in making a claim, just like with a homeowners insurance claim. You can save money and avoid annoyance if you are aware of your coverage limits and the situations that are covered. Here is how the procedure might be different from filing a homeowners insurance claim after you have confirmed that your AC repairs are covered under your home warranty:

• Call your home warranty provider or use their online portal to request a service visit.

• You will get in touch with a contractor to arrange your service appointment.

• Pay the service charge and any repairs that your warranty does not cover.

Remember that home warranty providers will, if possible, pay to repair your AC unit rather than replace it.