As a homeowner, you have a lot of responsibilities to keep your home in good condition. One of these responsibilities is maintaining your air conditioning (AC) system. While regular AC maintenance may seem like an added expense, it can actually have a significant impact on your homeowners insurance. In this blog post, we will discuss how a properly maintained AC system can affect your homeowners insurance and why it’s important to keep your AC system in good working order.
HVAC and Home Insurance*
A homeowners policy may cover your HVAC in two ways: either through the dwelling coverage or the personal property coverage on your policy.
Dwelling coverage may help pay to repair or replace a built-in unit since it’s considered part of the home’s structure. Personal property coverage could be used to repair or replace a window-based unit because it’s considered a personal possession.
Insurance is designed to help cover sudden hazards like fires, explosions or damage from falling objects. If your AC unit breaks down from old age or regular wear and tear, then your insurance company may not pay to have it repaired or replaced.
When does homeowners insurance cover HVAC units?
Your central air conditioner gets damaged by hail
One common covered cause of damage to central air conditioning units is hail damage. Dwelling coverage may help pay to repair or replace a built-in appliance like a central air conditioning unit damaged by hail. Window AC units would fall under personal property coverage and might not be covered. Contact your insurer if you are unsure what your policy covers.
A tree falls on your built-in air conditioning unit
Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover falling objects. Your insurer might help to pay for or replace an AC unit if a tree falls and damages it. A central air conditioning unit damaged by a falling tree would most likely be covered by your insurer. A window-unit might be covered if a falling tree damaged the AC unit and the exterior of the home. Ask your insurer to find out what your policy covers.
*Source – Allstate Insurance
Your AC units breaks from old age
Homeowners insurance policies don’t typically cover normal wear-and-tear. If your AC unit fails due to a broken fan or a frozen evaporator coil, it will be up to you to fix it. The best way to avoid paying for wear-and-tear expenses is by keeping your system well-maintained over time.
How can maintaining my AC affect my Homeowners Insurance
Reduced Risk of Claims
One of the biggest benefits of maintaining your AC system is that it can reduce the risk of making a claim on your homeowners insurance. A properly maintained AC system is less likely to break down or develop problems, reducing the risk of damage to your home. This can help to keep your insurance premiums low, as well as reduce the risk of claims being denied.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
A properly maintained AC system can also improve the indoor air quality in your home. Regular maintenance ensures that air filters are cleaned or replaced, reducing the amount of dust and pollutants in the air. This can improve your overall health and comfort, as well as reduce the risk of health problems such as asthma or allergies.
Energy Efficiency
A properly maintained AC system can also be more energy efficient, reducing your energy bills and helping to keep your home more comfortable. Regular maintenance ensures that your AC system is running smoothly and efficiently, reducing the amount of energy it needs to cool down. This can help to keep your energy bills low, as well as reduce your carbon footprint.
Reduced Wear and Tear
Finally, a properly maintained AC system can also reduce wear and tear on your AC system, increasing its lifespan. Regular maintenance ensures that your AC system is running smoothly and efficiently, reducing the amount of stress on its components. This can help to reduce the risk of breakdowns and repairs, as well as keep your AC system running smoothly for years to come.
Tips for Maintaining Your AC System
To ensure that your AC system is properly maintained, there are several steps that you can take, including:
- Hire a Professional
One of the best ways to ensure that your AC system is properly maintained is to hire a professional. A licensed and experienced AC technician can perform a thorough inspection of your system, identify any problems, and provide recommendations for repairs or upgrades.
- Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance is crucial to keep your AC system in good working order. This includes cleaning or replacing air filters, checking refrigerant levels, and ensuring that all components are in good working order.
- Upgrade Your AC System
Upgrading your AC system can also help to keep it running smoothly. A high-efficiency AC unit can cool down your home more effectively, reducing wear and tear and increasing efficiency.
- Monitor Your Energy Bills
Monitoring your energy bills can also help to ensure that your AC system is running smoothly. If your energy bills start to increase, it may be a sign that your AC system is having trouble cooling down, which could be due to a variety of reasons, including clogged air filters or low refrigerant levels.
Conclusion
A properly maintained AC system can have a significant impact on your homeowners insurance. By reducing the risk of claims, improving indoor air quality, increasing energy efficiency, and reducing wear and tear, maintaining your AC system can help to keep your home comfortable, healthy, and protected. If you want to ensure that your AC system is properly maintained, it’s important to hire a certified professional, like the Comfort Control Specialists, perform regular maintenance, upgrade your AC system, and monitor your energy bills. By taking these steps, you can keep your AC system in good working order, protect your home, and reduce your risk of making a claim on your homeowners insurance.
It is important to remember that while properly maintaining your AC system can reduce the risk of making a claim, it is not a guarantee. Your homeowners insurance policy will still cover you if your AC system fails, as long as it is not due to lack of maintenance or neglect (policies will varie, see Allstate example). Therefore, it is important to always keep your insurance policy up to date and to report any issues with your AC system to your insurance company as soon as possible. Also, ensure that your HVAC system is covered by your policy. Some insurance policies limit the criteria of what system components are covered or if any part of your HVAC is covered at all.
In conclusion, properly maintaining your AC system is a smart investment for any homeowner. It not only keeps your home comfortable and healthy, but it also reduces the risk of making a claim on your homeowners insurance. If you have any questions about your AC system or your homeowners insurance policy, be sure to speak with a licensed professional or your insurance agent. With the right care and attention, you can keep your AC system in good working order for years to come, and enjoy peace of mind knowing that your home and your family are protected.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the Comfort Control Specialists for a comprehensive AC inspection and tune-up.
