Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Air Conditioner Leak Water Damage?

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Air Conditioner Leak Water Damage?

Having an air conditioner leak is a homeowner’s nightmare. Even just a small AC leak can lead to expensive water damage in fees and stress. If you have an AC leak you may be curious to know whether your homeowner insurance policy has you covered and the extent that they can help. Here we will look at how insurance may cover your AC leak. 

Air conditioner leaks can lead to damage in different spots in your home. In many states, such as Florida, AC systems are switched on for the whole year. The ongoing use of AC systems can lead to damaged parts that produce leaks and other problems for your HVAC system. 

One of the largest issues caused by an air conditioner leak is water damage. It’s not just water that is a nuisance, it’s also the potential for mold. 

AC leaks can arise from several issues with an AC system. Cracked or worsening drain pans may leak. Condensation pumps can fail and let moisture build up and cause an AC leak. Drain lines can also come undone and separate from the system producing an AC leak. Most usually, the evaporator coils can freeze from the AC unit while operating to keep a cooler temperature. Finally, drain lines can get jammed producing buildup and ultimately an AC leak. 

Water Damage and an Air Conditioner Leak

If your home is affected by water damage in Florida, the source isn’t always easy to locate. Water moves around, and often the signs of the damage aren’t anywhere near where the leak originated. If you think you have an AC leak, your best bet would be to contact an HVAC expert to help locate the source of the leak. 

When you have an air conditioner leak, water damage usually happens in other areas of the home and often isn’t restricted to just where the AC unit is. Water tends to follow the path of least resistance. Often an AC leak will show up in other areas of your home, such as dining rooms, living areas, closets, bedrooms, bathrooms, and corridors. Any area or wall in the home that is in touch with your AC system can undergo water damage from an AC leak. 

Locating an AC Leak

Air conditioner leak insurance claims can be complex and a headache. Homeowners may have to make difficult choices and get familiar with aspects of their house they’ve never given much thought. An AC leak can involve loss and repairs to ceilings, walls, baseboards, insulation, floors, and drywall. What may seem like a trivial AC leak can lead to cause significant damage and many homeowners may require help from their insurance company. 

AC leak cases don’t stop with lots of water damage. Homeowners must trade with other issues related to the AC leak itself. Problems can involve finding the source of the leak within the unit and getting rid of the water from the unit and the neighboring area. Homeowners will also need to dehumidify the area as well as deal with structural repairs that may be required. Often, insurance company adjusters low-ball the cost of the damage that must be restored and repaired when it comes to an AC leak. Homeowners must be careful in making sure all affected areas are restored.

An additional problem is the potential for damage to a homeowner’s personal items and physical assets and the chance that the home or space may become impracticable to live in while repairs are being done. Some homeowners may have to seek other living arrangements during an AC leak repair while their home is restored. 

How to Document an AC Leak Claim

When filing a claim for an AC leak, documentation is essential. The right documentation makes all the difference when it comes to getting a fair and accurate claims settlement for your AC leak. Your AC leak documentation begins when you first reach out to your insurance company about the issue. It is best to gather as much evidence as possible about the AC leak to build a proper claim file. 

A professional AC technician can help your claim by analyzing your problem and providing you with documentation describing the issues. Your insurance company will ask for professional documentation since your coverage is dependent on the reason for why the AC leak happened. It is also a good idea when you have an AC leak to collect visual evidence with photos or videos. It’s important to do this before any repairs are done.

When you’ve reached this point it may help to contact a public adjuster to provide guidance and to help document the damage for your AC leak to file a quality claim with your insurance provider. Note that a public adjuster is a claims professional who acts on behalf of policyholders to ensure you get a fair claim settlement. 

Keep in mind, what happens during the beginning stages plays a significant role in the outcome. A public adjuster ensures you submit proper documentation to your insurance provider and that your settlement is enough to fully repair all of the damage caused by the AC. 

Air Conditioner Leak Claims can be difficult to sort out

There are lots of variables that will affect the amount you’ll be covered. The damage may not just be from water-related damage but also to the AC unit itself. The extent that your policy covers your costs will depend on the particular features of your policy and whether it covers the particular issues that the AC leak. Contact us if you’d like help investigating the matter in order to maximize your claim.