How to Get Home Insurance to Pay for Your Air Conditioner

It’s​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ terribly inconvenient to have a broken air conditioner right in the middle of summer. The good thing is that in many situations your home insurance can come in handy. Home insurance will only pay for air conditioner damage if the damage was caused by a covered event such as a hurricane, fire, or power surge. Damages to AC and HVAC systems are among the most common home insurance claims filed every year. In this article, we will explain what your policy pays for, what it does not cover, and how to file a claim that will get you approved quickly.

Does Home Insurance Cover Air Conditioner Damage?

To a large extent, the answer is affirmative. Standard homeowners policies cover the AC unit as part of your dwelling coverage if it is attached to your home. Portable window units usually fall under personal property coverage.

The policy will provide compensation only if the damage is caused by a peril covered by the policy. So, it is the cause of the damage, not the type of damage, that determines coverage.

What Types of AC Damage Does Home Insurance Cover?

The following are examples of AC damage most policies will cover:

• Windstorms, hail, or falling tree branches
• Fire or smoke damage
• Lightning strikes and electrical surges
• Vandalism or theft
• Sudden water damage, for example a burst pipe near the unit

If your AC unit ends up not working after a covered event, it is highly likely that your insurance company will offer you compensation for repair or replacement.

Storm and Wind Damage

Thunderstorms, hail, or strong gusts of wind can seriously damage the outdoor condenser unit. It may even damage the air-conditioning fins of your unit. You should make sure to photograph the unit right after the storm has passed. You will probably be able to make your claim quicker if you do this.

Fire, Lightning, and Electrical Surges

A residential air-conditioning system can be damaged electrically when a lightning strike occurs nearby. Insurance providers typically cover losses in such cases since that would qualify as a sudden and accidental event.

What Does Home Insurance Not Cover?

Insurance providers will typically refuse coverage on the grounds that the loss was gradual and/or part of normal wear and tear. Here are some examples of things that are usually not covered:

• Wear and tear from normal use
• Mechanical breakdown with no outside cause
• Failure to perform regular maintenance, such as changing filters or leak detection
• Gradual rust or corrosion
• Needs specific flood coverage for flood damage
• Pest damage, e.g., rodents biting the cables

When a claim adjuster determines that the cause of the failure was simply a matter of age or neglect, it is safe to say that the claim will most likely be ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍denied.

Covered vs Not Covered: A Quick Look

How Do You File a Home Insurance Claim for an AC Unit?

It is not complicated to file a claim. Just follow these steps:

• Shut off the unit and inspect it for any hazards
• Take photos and videos of the damage
• Note the date and reason for the damage
• Contact your insurer to report the damage and claim
• Have a written estimate of the repair made by a certified HVAC technician
• Keep all receipts for temporary repairs

The claim adjuster will identify the loss cause and only then decide on the amount to be paid to you. Thorough documentation will help speed up the process.

Can You Get Coverage for an Old AC Unit?

It is unlikely that older units will be covered for replacement just because of their age under making use of regular policies. In fact, some insurance companies offer a separate equipment breakdown cover that can be purchased as a separate addition. This is the type of coverage that will cater to mechanical failure, electrical failure, and pressure system faults that a standard policy doesn’t cover.

If this is something that you would be interested in, check if this add-on suits your budget with your provider. Indeed, it doesn’t cost a lot, but it might save you a hefty repair bill down the line.

How Can You Get Your AC Claim Approved?

Here are some things you can do that will help you gain the trust of the insurer and get them to approve your claim:

• Get a licensed HVAC technician to maintain your unit yearly and keep the records
• Duly report the damage after a few days, not weeks
• Provide them with the weather report if it was the storm that caused the damage or a police report if it was theft
• Before filing, ask your insurer about the policy limits

Insurance companies seek to find out whether damage is the result of a sudden event or is a result of slow neglect. So, besides strong documentation, it is highly recommended to submit the claim in time.

You may also read: Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Solar Panels?

Final Thoughts

When a storm, fire, or any other event that the house insurance covers damages your AC unit, your insurance policy can help you replace it. You will have to bear the costs of issues arising from normal wear and tear, getting old, and not doing maintenance. Make sure that you have read your cover, maintained all necessary documents, and were prompt after the loss for your claim to be dependent on luck when it comes to approval.

Need help uncovering your policy or comparing coverages? Head over to insurancheck.com today and get a clear view of what your house insurance actually ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌protects.