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It helps with expenses to repair and replace damaged property after a mechanical breakdown, including the air conditioner itself. Additionally, your insurance provider won’t cover an AC replacement if your air conditioner stopped working prematurely because you neglected to care for it. If you’ve never performed routine checkups on your air conditioner, you can’t expect it to last as long as it should. And, your insurance won’t cover it since you failed to maintain it. But, if your AC clunks out because it’s old, or if you’ve never taken care of it in the first place, your insurance won’t pay for a new one. Your provider expects you to perform routine maintenance on and around your property to keep it in working order as best as you can.
However, it’s always best to consult your insurance agent to see what’s covered. There are a few different types of homeowners policies, so they can tell you exactly what is and isn’t covered by your specific policy. APOLLO Insurance Agency Ltd. maintains necessary corporate licensing in provinces across Canada. Availability of products and service depends on licensing and product availability. The information that appears on this page is provided for information purposes only. Advertised products and prices are not guaranteed and vary based on insurance provider and/or insurance company’s discretion and product availability.
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Homeowners insurance policies typically do not cover damage resulting from wear and tear or resulting from neglect. For example, if an air conditioner wears out because it has reached the end of its normal shelf life, repairs or replacement would not be covered. Your homeowner’s insurance policy will likely cover falling objects as well. Your insurer might pay for or replace an HVAC system if something like a tree falls on it and damages it or destroys it. If you have a window unit, it might be covered if a falling tree damaged the AC unit and your home’s exterior.
You should meet with the adjuster when they arrive to be sure nothing is overlooked or missed during the evaluation. Home insurance covers AC units and heat pumps in a similar way that the rest of your home is covered. Damage caused by fires, falling trees, vandalism and lightning strikes are all covered in standard homeowners policies.
Coverage explained
So, naturally, in such situations, your home insurance policy won’t take care of the repair bills. Most modern air conditioners are built to last upwards of years, but as with all regularly-used home items, will eventually break down due to age. Since homeowners insurance is designed to cover unexpected perils, it is not intended to help if your window unit or AC system needs to be repaired due to general wear and tear. Homeowners insurance policies don't cover AC malfunctions caused by lack of maintenance, general wear and tear or accidents.
In the event where your AC is damaged by bad weather such as lightning, hail or winds, your AC may be covered by your home insurance depending on your policy limits. Also, home insurance may cover your unit if a tree fell on it and damaged it. An important point to note however is that earthquakes and floods are usually excluded from most homeowners insurance policies. Your homeowner insurance policy will cover an air conditioner if it’s damaged or destroyed in a house fire. It’s also protected in the event that lightning strikes a part of your system and damages its electrical components.
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To answer the question, does homeowners insurance cover AC, it is important to review the fine print on an insurance policy. Homeowners can read their policies to find out exactly what perils are covered. If the AC damage results from any of the problems the policy covers, then the insurer will repair or replace the AC.
Regular maintenance and inspection for potential animal nests is key to ensure your HVAC longevity, avoiding a potential issue that causes damage not covered by your home insurance policy. Central air conditioning units generally have a lifespan of around 15 to 20 years. Any AC unit failing around this age on its own would likely be considered a home maintenance issue by your insurer. If a maintenance issue were to occur and water from your AC unit were to leak into your home and cause flooding, you would not be covered by your home insurance policy.
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Pat Howard is a managing editor and licensed home insurance expert at Policygenius, where he specializes in homeowners insurance. Homeowner’s insurance and home insurance are similar, but they are a few key differences. Many homeowners find it useful to have both homeowner’s insurance and a home warranty.
Do not rush to call up your insurer the moment you encounter a damaged AC. First, you will survey, check the causes and then make an estimate of repair costs. Then, if the damage is eligible for home insurance coverage- compare the repair costs with the estimated repair amount from the insurer.
If you notice moisture damage signs or condensation in your home, it’s best to tackle the issue right away to avoid more significant damage. Contact your insurance company to find out the specifics on if your homeowners policy covers condensation damage. The insurance adjuster assigned to your claim will contact you to set up a time to come survey the damage and work on an estimate for the cost of the damage, repairs, or replacement. If the cause of the leak was neglect, lack of maintenance, or just equipment breakdown due to age, the insurer will probably deny your claim. Homeowners insurance does not cover AC units for normal wear and tear, neglect, age, and any specific exclusions outlined in the policy.
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