Filing an Insurance Claim For A/C damages
As public adjusters for A/C damages, we will file an air conditioning claim through your insurance company. Here are the things we need to do in order for the process to go smoothly, we will collect:
- Pictures of all visible damages made to your A/C
- Write down the model name, type, and serial number
- File a report if the A/C damage was due to vandalism
- Call your insurance agent to inform them of the damages and tell them that you want to file a claim.
- A claims adjuster would then be send to your home to inspect the damages and they will give you and your insurance company an estimate of the cost of the damage.
Statistical Information On A/C Damages
- The United States uses air conditioning more than any other nation in the world and it is more common to have an A/C other than a garage, dishwasher or even a dining room
- Only about 42% of people call a professional whenever a problem occurs or for maintenance purposes. Their air conditioners lasts about 40% more than the average lifespan.
Case Study
A single-family home has had a problem with their air conditioning unit for a long time. When the family filed a claim at their homeowners’ insurance company, the company only found $3,210 worth of damages and would not pay any more than that. So, the family hired a public adjuster, with which whom called and negotiated with their insurance company and settled for an amount of $33,465 for the actual damages along with a kitchen replacement due to the water damages.
FAQ
What is the cost of having an A/C repair specialist come and fix my A/C ?
The safest way to get an air-conditioning leak fixed is to get a professional to do it for you. However, some people may do this as a last option as the cost of getting a professional is a lot higher than doing it yourself. According to popular mechanics, to get a licensed air-conditioning contractor with more than 20-30 years of experience, it would cost you about $60-$100. This price can either go up or go down, depending on the severity of the leak.
How much can I expect to fix A/C leak If I did it myself?
Doing household chores is nothing compared to fixing an A/C leak by yourself. It’s doable and cost effective but how much would it really cost you overall? Below is a list of the average costs of different types of air conditioner problems:
- Refrigerant leak detection and repair: $225-$1600
- AC refrigerant recharge: $160-$400
- Circuit board replacement: $120-$600
- Replace fuses, circuit breakers or relays: $15-$300
- Thermostat replacement: $60-$250
- A/C compressor repair hard start kit: $100-$250
- Capacitor or contactor replacement: $90-$400
- Home air compressor replacement: $1350-$1800, depending on size and type
- Evaporator coil replacement: $650-$1200
- Condensing unit fan motor replacement: $100-$300
- Condensate pump replacement: $90-$250
What are A/C Leaks?
Majority of Air-Conditioning damages are caused by leaks. Some of these leaks tend to be relatively small but if it is left unattended for a long period of time, it can lead to massive amounts of damages, especially if it is installed above the ceiling. What a lot of homeowners don’t know is that many of these leaks can be easily fixed and maintained without calling a professional. There can be many reasons why A/C systems leak, to name a few there may be:
- Possible cracks in the drain pan
- The air filter needs to be changed because it is clogged with dirt
- The condensate line is clogged
What can A/C damages do your home?
A/C damages can lead to detrimental effects to not just your home but your health as well. One of the most damaging leak is the A/C Freon leak. Freon leaks are caused by tiny holes that let the flow of gas leave the system. Freon leaks are hazardous to your health and the environment because it drains the ozone layer.
How to prevent A/C damage?
As with many other issues in the home, it can be prevented and maintained. The following ways are just some tips to diminish the chances of water damages:
- Make sure the central air-conditioning system is connected properly using a secondary drain line
- Make sure the A/C unit is properly installed with a safety pan
- Clean or change the HVAC filter routinely
- Make sure the duct work is installed properly
- Routinely check AC refrigerant levels
- To prevent mold and mildew building up in condensate pump, use a 50/50 solution of water and bleach
- Routinely have your HVAC checked on a yearly basis
Does your home insurance cover a/c damages?
It is a necessity to have air conditioning especially in Florida where it is humid and hot all year round. However, unfortunate events happen such as storms, fire damage, or vandalism can happen, and majority of homeowners are unprepared because of the unexpectedness of the situation. It is important to find out if your homeowners insurance cover A/C leaks and not just prevalent disasters. For most insurance, A/C leaks can be covered but it also depends on how the leaking started. Your home insurance would not cover you if:
- The A/C system was already broken because the homeowner did not maintain it properly
- The warranty for the air conditioner expired
- It was not installed properly
- There’s dirt that caused the problem
- You bought a new air conditioning system, but it did not fit the proper size of your system.
Most insurance would not tell you about what is covered or what is not covered until the damage is already done. But if you hire one of Churchill’s Public Adjuster, we will negotiate with the insurance company about coverage and the replacement of an A/C unit.
Does flood insurance cover a/c damages?
Just like homeowners’ insurance, flood insurance covers an extent depending on the damage of the A/C system. In one instance, it can be covered if it was properly maintained but a part of the air conditioner was faulty and caused extensive damage such flooding that eventually caused mold and mildew. In other words, flood insurance can cover it if you have done everything correctly and something unfortunate that is entirely out of your control happened.
DIY Sites to Fix A/C Leaks:
What We Can Do
Air conditioners are known to cause thousands of dollars in damages throughout the year. Sometimes your insurance company may not want to pay for those damages, or want to just pay you a fraction of the damages you suffered because they might guilt you into thinking you were neglectful, or lacked the proper maintenance of your A/C unit/s. Don’t be fooled, you may be entitled to so much more! As your public adjusters, we assure you that we represent the policy holder, not the insurance company, we would seek to get the maximum claim from your insurance company, and foremost we would provide you with all our knowledge and with all of our years in experience in handling an air conditioner claim.
References:
