UPDATED: JULY 06, 2023 | 1 MIN READ
The AC unit in your home may fail or be damaged for several reasons. Getting it fixed can be expensive, and getting it replaced can be more than you can afford now.
Hopefully, your homeowner’s insurance policy will cover an unexpected problem, but this is not always the case. Here is some information to help you decide whether to file a claim with your insurance company or not.
When Does a Home Insurance Policy Cover Your AC Unit?
A home insurance policy does provide some coverage for your AC unit. However, the coverage is very specific and has a list of perils. You can ask your insurance agent for a list of these perils, but in the meantime, here are the ones that are most popular and almost always covered.
Weather-related damage
The most common weather-related damage to an AC unit is lightning and hail. High winds can also cause damage to the unit and will fall under this peril. This is especially true if your unit is on your home’s roof.
Fire and water damage
Fire and water are also perils that are covered by a home insurance policy. A fire could not hit the AC unit itself but travel through the electrical lines and cause damage to the unit that way.
When it comes to water damage, the policy will cover a burst pipe that happened to cause water to destroy the unit but will probably not cover damage from a flood unless you have purchased additional flood protection for your policy.
Theft and vandalism
Theft and vandalism of your AC unit are covered under your home insurance policy. The theft may be of the whole unit or just parts. You may need to make a police report and give a copy to the insurance company for the coverage to go into effect.
Falling trees
If a tree falls on your AC unit and damages it, there is a good chance your home insurance policy will pay the repair bill. It will provide coverage if the tree falls due to high winds, lightning, or a severe rainstorm.
However, you may not be covered if the tree was damaged and you did nothing to try and fix the situation. Anytime a tree has dangling limbs or looks like it may fall, you need to contact a professional tree service to eliminate the peril.
When Doesn’t a Home Insurance Policy Cover Your AC Unit?
A home insurance policy does not cover the general wear and tear of the unit. It also does not cover regular maintenance. If you want coverage for this issue, check with your home warranty. It may not be helpful, but it just may, depending on how old your unit is and what is wrong with it.
In addition, any damage that could have been avoided if you had taken care of a perilous situation before it caused damage will not be covered. This could be from a falling tree limb, a fire that was caused due to bad electric wires, or not keeping the area around the unit clear of debris.
Filing a Home Warranty Claim For Your AC Unit
When a home insurance policy does not provide coverage for an AC unit that’s not working, you should contact your home warranty company to see if they will cover the issue.
What is a home warranty?
A home warranty is a policy homeowners buy to cover costs for repairs of appliances like a refrigerator, stove, HVAC system, and more. It is used when one of the appliances quits working due to normal wear and tear. However, you must have done any required maintenance on the appliance for the warranty to be in good standing.
Is your HVAC unit covered under my home warranty?
The HVAC unit of a house is covered by a home warranty as long as you have had regular servicing done to the unit.
How do you file a home warranty claim?
Contact the warranty company’s customer service line to start the claim process. They will send a repair technician to your home to fix the problem if it falls under the warranty. If there is a deductible on the warranty, you will be required to pay that at the time of service. The warranty company pays the rest of the bill.
Do you file a home warranty claim and a home insurance claim for your AC unit?
You will file a home warranty claim for your AC unit when the issue is due to normal wear and tear. File a claim with the home insurance policy when the damage was due to the weather, theft, or vandalism.
FAQs About Home Insurance Policies and AC Units
Does my home insurance policy cover an AC unit if it leaks or clogs?
This issue should be filed with a home warranty company, not your home insurance policy.
Does a home insurance policy cover my AC unit maintenance and repair costs?
A home insurance policy does not cover maintenance and repair costs.
How do I know if my home warranty covers my HVAC unit?
Check with the home warranty company or read through the warranty paperwork.
Does my home insurance cover damage to my window AC unit?
If the damage to the window unit were due to one of the perils listed on your home insurance policy, it would be covered.
Does my home insurance policy cover water damage from a leaky AC unit?
If there is structural damage due to a leaking AC unit, the damage will be covered by your home insurance policy.
How to Get a Homeowners Insurance Quote that Covers AC Units
Your home is protected from unexpected damage due to weather, theft, and vandalism by your home insurance policy. You may be able to purchase special endorsements for uncovered perils such as flooding. Wear and tear issues are covered with your home warranty. To ensure you have the coverage, get a home insurance quote.
