Does Homeowners Insurance Cover HVAC Units?
December 3, 2020
Homeowners insurance is designed to cover things such as your personal property and damage caused by natural disasters. What some homeowners don't know, however, is that their homeowners insurance policy can cover their HVAC system.
If your HVAC isn't working properly, your homeowners insurance may be able to cover it. Continue reading to learn more.
What is Homeowners Insurance?
A homeowners insurance policy helps cover a person's house or personal belongings that were damaged or destroyed by a specific event. For it to be covered, the event has to be listed in the policy. For instance, if an earthquake damaged something of yours but it's not listed on your policy, it won't be covered. However, what's covered ultimately depends on the insurance company and what they choose to cover.
How is an HVAC Unit Covered?
An HVAC unit is covered by either personal property or dwelling coverage. These two forms of coverages are simply a part of the homeowners insurance. HVAC units are considered part of the property itself if built-in to the home's infrastructure. If this is the case with your home, then dwelling coverage can help pay for any repairs or replacements you might need.
Personal property coverage isn't as cut and dry, however. This coverage will not pay for built-in units, like the ones on the side of your home. Like the ones you install into a window, HVAC units are considered personal property, which makes them eligible for personal property coverage. In short, how your insurance covers an HVAC unit depends on what type it is. The make and model of the HVAC unit can play a role as well.
What Your Policy Won't Cover
Like most insurance policies, there is a limit to what your homeowner's insurance can cover regarding your HVAC unit. It will not cover things like a faulty motor, rust, or a frozen evaporator coil. It also won't cover a replacement due to old age. For problems such as these, you're going to need the help of an HVAC professional.
While most homeowner policies will cover HVAC damage, it's still a good idea to verify what is and isn't covered under yours. If your HVAC isn't currently covered, you can either rework your current policy or shop around for a new one.