A central air conditioner is a significant investment in your home’s comfort and air quality. The cost of installing a system is easily offset by its performance over time, but unexpected faults and damage could leave you on the hook for repair costs.
As something so integral to your home, you might wonder, does home insurance cover central AC units? Let’s look at when your policy might or might not cover your system.
When Home Insurance Might Cover Your Central AC System
Like other features and utilities in your home, insurance might cover your central AC system for events outside of your control, including:
- Fire and lightning strikes.
- Hail damage.
- Wind damage.
- Falling objects (like a tree or structure).
- Vandalism or theft.
- Sudden accidental water discharge, like a burst pipe.
- Vehicle impact.
A central AC system is incorporated into your home’s structure, so it falls under dwelling coverage. It’s important to review your policy or talk to your insurer to ask specifically if home insurance covers central AC units. Not every policy offers the same coverage.
Large insurers often include free information online regarding HVAC equipment, like this page from Progressive Insurance.
Home Insurance Usually Doesn’t Cover These Scenarios
We’ve looked at the scenarios where dwelling coverage usually includes a central AC system, but there are other cases where your insurance won’t cover AC repair and replacement.
Insurance doesn’t usually cover the following:
- Earthquakes (unless specifically covered by a policy).
- Mechanical and electrical breakdowns.
- Normal wear and tear.
- Neglect through a lack of maintenance.
- Manufacturer defects.
- Flooding (unless specifically covered by a flood insurance policy).
Your Insurer May Offer Specific Coverage for HVAC and Other Large Items
Some insurers offer additional policies, or add-on features for your existing homeowner policy. Equipment Breakdown Coverage and Home Warranty coverage may include payouts for AC repair and replacement.
Even with additional coverage, you should consider how claims might affect your future insurance costs. Repairs priced less than the deductible cost usually aren’t worth claiming.
Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover HVAC? The Bottom Line
Your homeowner’s insurance might cover your HVAC equipment if it is damaged by a covered peril, like a fire or storm. Most mechanical failures, neglect, and common breakdowns aren’t covered by insurance unless you have a specific addition to your policy, like a home warranty.
Soundview HVAC Repairs, Support, and Peace of Mind Guarantees
Even if the problem isn’t covered, you can take proactive steps to protect your HVAC system and reduce the risk of costly repair bills. Having a seasonal tune-up every spring is the best way to protect a central air conditioner. Soundview HVAC offers a detailed service.
When you install a new system with us, we offer scheduled maintenance to protect your manufacturer’s warranty and prevent avoidable repair costs. We also offer a range of Peace of Mind Guarantees, including our No Lemon Guarantee which provides a complete outdoor unit replacement if the compressor for your central system fails twice in the first five years.
Regardless of your insurance policy, you will get honest evaluations, warranty support, and dependable AC repairs at fair rates from the team at Soundview HVAC.
