Your AC stopped working in a heat wav. Will insurance cover it?

• Standard homeowners insurance typically does not cover AC breakdowns from age, wear and tear, or mechanical failure.
• Home insurance may cover AC damage caused by sudden events like fires, falling trees, or storms.
• An optional insurance add-on, called a rider, can expand coverage to include sudden internal failures of HVAC systems.

As temperatures climb and heat waves become more common, air conditioners are working harder than ever to keep homes comfortable. Then it happens: your AC stops working altogether.

What should you do next?

Many homeowners' first instinct is to call their insurance company and file a claim. But while homeowners insurance can cover certain types of AC damage, it typically doesn't pay for breakdowns caused by age, wear and tear, or mechanical failure.

To better understand when coverage applies and when homeowners are likely to foot the bill themselves, USA TODAY spoke with experts at ARS, a national HVAC installation and service company, about what happens when an air conditioner fails and what insurance may or may not cover.

Does homeowners insurance cover a dead AC?

Unfortunately, standard homeowners insurance does not cover a broken AC caused by age, wear and tear or mechanical failure.

"Homeowners insurance typically does not cover it unless they have a rider [an optional insurance add-on]," says Ken Turner, HVAC sales manager at at YES! Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electric℠.

When homeowners insurance may cover AC damage

Home insurance covers HVAC damage when it's caused by perils, like natural disasters, and is most likely to cover air conditioner repairs and replacement under these circumstances:

• Fire
• Falling trees
• Storm-related damage like hail or high wind
• Other sudden and accidental events

When homeowners insurance typically won't cover AC repairs

Homeowners insurance will not usually cover AC repairs if your unit failed due to:

• Wear and tear
• Equipment aging naturally over time
• Mechanical failure
• Compressor failure
• Electrical issues
• Component breakdowns
• Preexisting conditions

What determines whether an AC claim is approved?

If your claim is approved, you might not get a brand new AC unit. Often, home insurance companies would rather repair it than replace it.

"A lot of homeowners want their systems to be replaced, but they won't replace mostly if they can repair it," says Turner.

Every plan is different, but you can buy riders to expand your home insurance coverage. It costs additional monthly fees, but an insurance rider expands your home insurance coverage and can include sudden internal failures of HVAC systems, like your AC and furnace. If you have a rider that covers your HVAC, a suddenly broken AC unit could be replaced by your home insurance.

Homeowners insurance vs. home warranty

Home insurance is a requirement for most homeowners and covers sudden, unexpected events, and a home warranty is an optional service contract that protects your home systems and appliances against breakdowns due to normal wear and tear.

Whereas your home insurance won't cover mechanical failures and system breakdowns, a home warranty might. You can expect a home warranty for your HVAC to cover:

• Eligible HVAC system failures
• Repair costs for covered breakdowns
• Replacement assistance in some cases

Home warranties also have their limitations, but they are more likely to cover an AC failure than your home insurance.

Common reasons AC claims are denied

The most common reason why your AC insurance claim is denied is a lack of coverage. Other reasons your claim could get denied include:

• Preexisting conditions: If a problem was present before when your coverage began, insurance companies may deny coverage.
• Lack of maintenance: Lack of regular maintenance can be an easy reason why home insurance companies deny coverage. Keep a record of all maintenance done to prevent this denial.
• Cosmetic damage: Home insurance and warranties don't often cover the cost to fix anything cosmetic, like dents and scratches.
• Improper installation: If your system isn't installed correctly, you might get denied coverage. This is why having a reputable HVAC company install your AC is so important.

What should you do if your AC fails?

If your AC fails, contact a local HVAC company to inspect it. You'll get an initial diagnosis and determine if you need a new unit or can get by with repairs. You can also reach out to your home insurance company to see if your contract includes coverage. If they do, start a claim right away.

Your insurer may insist that they have someone visit your home to inspect the damage, but you should always get another opinion.

"I'd always recommend that they do get a second opinion from an outside heating and air company," Turner says. The outside company can verify that what your insurance provider wants to do is the right course of action, or suggest another one and submit a claim on your behalf.

Frequently asked questions

Does homeowners insurance cover AC compressor failure?

If the damage to your AC is caused by a weather-related incident, vandalism, a fallen tree branch or fire, then your home insurance will cover the cost to repair or replace it (minus your deductible). Home insurance does not cover damage from old age, lack of maintenance or mechanical failure.

Does insurance cover AC damage from a storm?

Yes, your home insurance will cover AC repairs if your unit is damaged during a storm (high winds, hail, lightning, etc.).

Is a home warranty the same as homeowners insurance?

No, a home warranty is not the same as homeowners insurance. Whereas home insurance protects your home against external factors like storms, fire and vandalism, a home warranty covers breakdowns due to normal wear and tear.

Will insurance replace my entire AC unit?

If your AC unit needs a full replacement after a storm, fire or tree damage, your home insurance will foot the bill. If it fails due to other factors like normal wear and tear, you are out of luck.

Should I file an insurance claim for a broken AC?

If you lost your AC unit due to an unexpected event, absolutely contact your home insurance company. But if your old AC unit stopped working due to age, it may not be worth your time. If you're unsure, you can always file a claim and see what your home insurance provider says.