by Guest » Thu Jul 29, 2010 10:01 pm
My a/c unit does not cool. I notice a block of ice had formed around a pipe area of my a/c on the outside and the blockage has caused damage to the unit inside my house. water has build up inside the unit. does homeowners insurance covers this?
Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 12:12 am Post Subject:
Only thing it would cover is the resulting water damage and I don't think there was any. Wear and tear is not covered and mechanical breakdown is not covered.
Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 01:21 am Post Subject:
you got a freon issue...
Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 03:27 pm Post Subject:
maintanence issue, not covered under homeowners. you have a warranty on the unit by chance?
sounds like a small leak in the system, you need to have the unit service, cleaned, and recharged w/ freon. if it's a small leak, you may can get by by recharging, but eventually will need it repaired. the quick fix and clean should only be a couple hundred bucks. you need a good HVAC service rep, he'd be best qualified to help you from here.
the effeciency of the unit can effect your heat bill as well as cooling.
Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 03:49 pm Post Subject:
Improper air flow through the ducts is another likely culprit. Happens in commercial applications when employees close off vents that blow cold air on them.
Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 07:58 pm Post Subject:
we had a problem just this year with ours. the freon was a little low (meaning we have a leak), but its so small we just had them recharge the system. the biggest issue was it was freezing up and the breaker kept tripping. the freon solved the freezing up, but not the breaker issue. a call to the HVAC tech said it sounded like the compressor was going bad. (expensive).
fortunatley an engineer friend of mine asked me when was the last time i cleaned the coil outside...my response was "never"...lol. He came over with 2 cans of coil cleaner (Lowes) and we took the shroud of the unit outside and went to cleaning. we literally peeled off dirt, dust, and debris. sprayed the cleaner and let it sit for 10 minutes, and cleaned the coil vents thoroughly washing w/ the water hose.
now the unit breaths better, my air is blowing colder and no longer tripping the breaker b/c my compressor doesnt have to work so hard. cost? $10...helped the light bill substantantially.
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 03:47 am Post Subject:
The reduced strain on the compressor/condenser motors will extend their lives some, too.
And, if you don't stand there and watch some HVAC guys, they use the same $10 cleaner (but they get it for $8), then $0.50 of hair spray on the motor housing to make it look new and charge an arm and a leg for a $10 fix.
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 04:54 pm Post Subject: Stolen Air Unit
State of Ga insurance: I had my air conditioner unit stolen. The insurance company did a settlement offer property loss of 40% depreciation for my unit. I considered this a high loss depreciation. In addition, the insurance settlement offer states, "Initial payment is based on replacement cost less depreciation for the actual cash value at the time of loss. "Depreciation withheld is recoverable as a 2nd payment when documentation/supports are received and verified the work has been done". Question: Can I challenge the insurance company to provide me the depreciation table utilized to get this 40% high depreciation. Question, Can I challenge the insurance co. to provide me where my policy states: "Depreciation is withheld and recoverable as a 2nd payment when documentation/supports are received and verified the work has been done. I did not see this statement in my policy. Also, the settlement offer by the insurance company is not enough to pay air conditioner company upfront for the unit. Also, I do not have enough additional money to pay the air conditioner co. and then request insurance for reimbursements. Per the air conditioner co. dealing with customer with stolen air unit, they said the all customers they have dealing with insurance co. All insurance company have paid their policy up front and the customer paid them with the check. Also, Do I need to contact the State Insurance Commissioner to review my policy and provide me in writing if the insurance can do this or not based on my policy. Also, if I have settlement check, by cashing the check "Do I release the insurance of their liability by cashing it for the additional money they owed me. I was going to cash it, and pay the air conditioner company towards my new air conditioner unit.
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 08:50 pm Post Subject:
in the past, weve been able to have the recoverable depreciation released w/ a contract for services from the AC company with a reasonable time listed for when the repairs will be completed. Your insurance company just needs documentation that it will be replaced. also, your adjuster may be okay with writing the check for the recoverable depreciation directly to your AC company, that would prove replacement...could be the easier alternative.
insurance companies have a standard formaula of assessing depreciation so they stay consistant in their settlement practices as regulated by the state. they should be able to document how they arrived at the depreciated amount.
yes you can have them show you where the policy states the settlement of recoverable depreciation.
insurance companies are more and more utilizing the recoverable depreciation clause, so your AC company will probably be seeing it more in the future. Roofers are usually very aware of the process.
cashing the check does not release them for paying additional monies owed. as long as you can document reasonable and necessary repairs, they have to indemnify you.
keep the forum posted on your progress, its helpful to us all.
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