Does Home Insurance Cover AC Unit Replacements?
When your AC starts showing signs of failing, you may wonder if you can get a good deal on a new unit through your home insurance policy. Does home insurance cover AC unit replacements? The short answer is maybe, depending on factors like maintenance, the type of damage, and the specifics of your policy.
Keep reading to learn more about home insurance coverage for AC units.
What Does Homeowners Insurance Typically Cover?
Homeowners insurance generally covers damage to your home from natural disasters (or “perils”), such as a storm or a house fire. However, certain natural disasters, like floods, pests, and earthquakes, may require separate policies.
Some homeowners policies can also cover you in the event of a burglary, vandalism, or someone getting hurt on your property. As you can imagine, these policies can sometimes cover damage to your AC unit so you can save money on a replacement.
When Is AC Unit Damage Covered by Insurance?
Home insurance policies may cover damage to your AC unit if it falls under one of their covered perils—for example, if your AC was crushed by a falling tree from a windstorm.
Homeowners insurance policies usually don’t cover damage from:
Power failures
Neglect
Age
General wear and tear
In short, most AC unit replacements for typical reasons like age and wear aren’t covered by home insurance.
Why Regular HVAC Maintenance Can Impact Coverage
Does home insurance cover an AC unit replacement if you’ve called for a repair or maintenance in the past? It might, under qualifying circumstances. Homeowners insurance is less likely to deny your claim when you have a verified track record of maintaining your system.
We highly recommend scheduling maintenance for your AC unit twice per year. Not only will this schedule keep you prepared for temperature swings, but it also signals to your insurance company you’re responsible and attentive to your system’s needs.
Differences Between Homeowners Insurance and HVAC Warranties
Homeowners insurance covers common perils to your home and equipment. HVAC warranties cover specific issues surrounding your AC unit, such as a manufacturer defect that causes a surprise breakdown.
If your homeowners' insurance doesn’t cover your damaged AC unit, your warranty still might provide coverage. Review your warranty’s clauses closely to see if they match your situation.
How to File a Claim for AC Unit Replacement: Step by Step
Does your home warranty cover AC replacement, or should you file an insurance claim instead? If you’re thinking of trying the latter, these steps will give you a higher chance of getting compensation.
1. Assess Your AC Unit’s Damage
Take a close look at your system and try to see what might be causing the issue. Is your unit cracked, leaking, burnt, or just not turning on?
If you can’t pin down your AC unit’s problem, or just want to double-check your suspicions, get an AC technician on the case. They can evaluate the system and catch any details you might have missed.
2. Gather Records for Your Claim
The more evidence you have, the better. Take photos of the damage, write down notes about your AC unit’s problems, and save any receipts you have for professional inspections.
3. Reach Out to Your Insurance Company
Reach out to your homeowners insurance company as soon as possible for AC unit insurance claims, since some insurance plans have limits on when you can file. You can usually file online, in person, or over the phone.
Make sure to get a claim number and ask your insurance company what kind of documentation it needs.
Comfort Heating & Air is a local heating and cooling business in the central Kentucky area that helps homeowners get the most value out of their AC system. We can help you inspect your unit, navigate your warranty, and document evidence for a claim—just schedule an appointment with our online form if you need help now.
Why Choose Comfort for HVAC Maintenance and Warranty Support
Whether your AC unit is making strange noises or you want us to inspect damage from a recent storm, Comfort Heating & Air is always ready to help. We’ve been a dependable resource for Kentucky homeowners for many years, arriving at your home with a smile and leaving you with a solution.
We make AC inspection, maintenance, and repair easier than ever with perks like:
Financing options for low-interest or no-interest monthly payments
Pro Service Plans to get extra discounts on maintenance, repair jobs, and more
Exceptional Service Guarantee for a full refund if you’re still dissatisfied within a year
Does your home insurance cover your AC unit’s replacement? If so, we can help you with diagnostics and evidence for your insurance claim. And if not, we’ll help you figure out another solution that fits your budget. Give us a call or schedule service online today.