Paul Dreher Director of Personal Insurance View Bio

One nightmare that many homeowners often forget to prepare for is an important piece of equipment unexpectedly breaking down.

It’s not just the immediate struggle of being left without hot water or air conditioning that homeowners have to worry about, there’s also the unpleasant surprise of having to pay potentially thousands of dollars in repair or replacement costs. Many homeowners are often lulled into a false sense of security by thinking that they are protected from equipment breakdown through their homeowners insurance, but that misconception can cost you dearly.

Why Equipment Breakdown Coverage Is Important

Home equipment breakdown coverage not only exists to cover necessary components of your home, like a furnace or refrigerator, but also extends to secondary machinery like backup generators and microwaves, and even devices like computers and swimming pool machinery.

While it may seem like this coverage is more important for older homes, younger homes have some other factors to account for. Newer homes often have a network of connected equipment, such as smart thermostats, refrigerators and even lighting systems. These kinds of devices are particularly susceptible to power surges and can be costly to repair or replace.

What Is Covered, and What Isn’t

If you have home equipment breakdown coverage, you can rest easy knowing that you’ll be able to replace a device or piece of equipment should it break. The following are examples of devices typically covered:

  • Heating and air-conditioning systems
  • Computers and home entertainment systems
  • Refrigerators and freezers
  • Washers and dryers
  • Water heaters and furnaces
  • Backup generators
  • Home security systems

Homeowners should be aware that home equipment breakdown coverage typically does not protect you from damage caused by general wear and tear, such as rust, corrosion or mold. It is still important to conduct regular maintenance on your equipment.

Contact Lawley today to learn more about home equipment breakdown coverage.

 

© 2019 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved. This Know Your Insurance document is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice.