A leak from the AC or HVAC unit can be a nuisance and can cause significant and costly damage, if not discovered and fixed promptly. AC/HVAC leaks can cause major water damage and mold to your property. If you have a home insurance policy, you might wonder if the damages resulting from the water leaking from the AC unit are covered. Well, let’s answer this question for you.

Does Your Home Insurance Policy Cover Water Damage from AC/HVAC Unit?

It depends on the type of insurance policy your purchased and what caused the damage to the AC/HVAC unit.  An All-Risk Policy would protect your property for damage from any source that is not specifically excluded in your policy. In contrast, a Named Peril Policy would cover your property from damaged only from those specifically named perils listed in your policy.

In general, if the water damage is caused by an AC/HVAC unit malfunctioning and the leakage is not due to owner negligence, meaning that the owner has been maintaining the AC/HVAC unit, then the ensuing damage should be covered under your property insurance policy – especially if it is an All-Risk Policy. For example: If the A/C freezes over or clogs up and as a result there is ensuing water damage then your insurance policy should cover the ensuing damage. Even if the AC/HVAC leak is caused by normal wear and tear of your AC/HVAC system, while your policy may not provide coverage to repair or replacement of the AC/HVAC unit, the All- Risk insurance policy (and potentially the Named Peril insurance policy) insurance policy will likely cover the damage caused by the leak.

In contrast, if the water damage resulted because of negligence on your end, such as, failure to properly maintain your AC/HVAC unit, then the insurance company will likely refuse to pay for the damages that ensued or give you a low-ball offer. If you are unsure if your damage is a covered loss or not, it is best to seek advice from an experienced property damage insurance attorney.

Homeowner Insurance and AC/HVAC Units

AC/HVAC needs constant maintenance, especially when they are running continuously. In Florida, air conditioning units that are operational for six consecutive months, can cause a potential issue with the pipes and condensation units, leading to leaks. A leaking AC unit can cause paint discoloration, water damage, and mold on the walls and floors.

A typical AC unit lasts for 10 to 15 years. If your unit is decades old, the insurance company might outright reject the claim. That does not mean your claim for ensuing damages should be excluded. However, it does mean that insurance company will likely use this age factor as an excuse to deny your claim.

Aside from poor maintenance, AC units might malfunction due to several other reasons. These are acceptable causes that you can file a claim with your insurance company. For example, if your AC unit gets damaged in a house fire and starts to leak water, causing damage, then you’ll be compensated for the repairs. Similarly, if lightning strikes your property and the AC unit malfunctions, you will receive compensation.

Even I the external AC unit gets damaged due to a tree falling on it and the water starts spilling on your walls and floors, the policy will cover the damages.

Final Thoughts

When filing a claim for water damage resulting from AC/HVAC unit, documentation is essential. A professional AC/HVAC technician can help you by documenting the cause and extent of the damage.

The Consumer Law Office is experienced in water damage claims caused by faulty AC/HVAC systems and provide aggressive representation to its clients helping to get the relief they are entitled to.

The Florida Property Damage Attorneys at the Consumer Law Office can help you from the start to finish, beginning with  filing your claim with the insurance company through litigation and trial, if necessary,   so that you can receive the maximum compensation that you are entitled to under your insurance policy. At CLO, we will take the time to review and interpret your policy to understand the full measure of damages available to you.  Contact us today for a free consultation. We have helped numerous home and business owners successfully recover the compensation they deserve. Best of all, there are no upfront fees, and we only get paid when you get paid by the insurance company. Contact us Today: 305-940-0924