What Is Equipment Breakdown Coverage for Homeowners? - NerdWallet (2024)

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Homeowners insurance typically covers damage to your home and belongings caused by events like fire, theft and hail. But it usually won’t cover damage to your home’s appliances or systems caused by electrical or mechanical failure. That's where equipment breakdown coverage can come in.

What is equipment breakdown coverage?

Equipment breakdown coverage pays for damage to your home's systems and appliances from sudden, accidental breakdowns. This optional add-on can help pay to repair or replace covered items that break down due to electrical issues or mechanical failures.

What Is Equipment Breakdown Coverage for Homeowners? - NerdWallet (1)

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What does equipment breakdown insurance cover?

Equipment breakdown insurance may cover damage to:

  • Heating and cooling systems.

  • Electrical panels and wiring.

  • Water heaters, boilers and heat pumps.

  • Air and water filtration systems.

  • Kitchen appliances, including refrigerators, freezers, ovens and dishwashers.

  • Washers and dryers.

  • Alarm systems and home automation equipment.

  • Computers, electronics and home entertainment systems.

  • Exercise equipment.

Some policies may cover the cost of spoiled food caused by a broken appliance or pay for your living expenses if the damage makes your home unlivable.

» MORE: What does homeowners insurance cover?

What isn’t covered by equipment breakdown insurance?

Equipment breakdown insurance only covers failures due to electrical and mechanical issues. It won't cover damage due to normal wear and tear or a lack of maintenance. So if your air conditioner stops working because of a clogged air filter, it wouldn’t be covered under equipment breakdown insurance.

Likewise, equipment breakdown coverage doesn’t cover damage from fire, lightning, wind or hail. Those events are covered under your standard homeowners policy.

» MORE: 10 home insurance exclusions you need to know about

What’s the difference between equipment breakdown coverage and a home warranty?

While equipment breakdown coverage and a home warranty may seem similar, there are some key differences.

Equipment breakdown coverage is typically an endorsem*nt or add-on to your homeowners insurance policy. It covers electrical or mechanical damage to your household systems and appliances. A home warranty is a service contract that covers the repair or replacement of specific appliances and systems in your home.

One key difference is that equipment breakdown insurance is typically broader in scope than a home warranty. Equipment breakdown coverage can cover a wider range of appliances and systems, while a home warranty covers specific items listed in the contract.

Another difference is cost. Equipment breakdown coverage typically costs from $25 to $50 per year and usually has a coverage limit and a deductible, often $500. Your deductible is how much you pay before insurance kicks in, while your coverage limit is the maximum amount the insurance company will pay for a covered loss.

Home warranties can be more expensive, sometimes costing $500 per year or more. You may pay a deductible or a service fee from $50 to $100 for each claim. You often don’t get to choose your contractor or the brand of a replacement appliance.

If you’re deciding between equipment breakdown coverage and a home warranty, make sure to carefully read the terms and conditions of both so you understand the differences in what each covers.

» MORE: Home warranty vs. home insurance: What's the difference?

How much does equipment breakdown coverage cost?

Equipment breakdown coverage typically costs from $25 to $50 per year. Not all insurance providers offer equipment breakdown coverage, so check with your homeowners insurance company to see if it’s available.

» MORE: The average home insurance cost in the U.S.

Is equipment breakdown coverage worth it?

Equipment breakdown coverage can provide you with added financial protection for your home's most expensive systems and appliances. Although the coverage has limitations, it may offer you additional peace of mind to know that you won't have to pay the entire cost if your air conditioning compressor breaks or your hot water tank ruptures.

» MORE: Does homeowners insurance cover AC units?

If you’re not sure if equipment breakdown coverage is right for you, weigh the potential cost you’d pay for repairs against what you’d pay to add this endorsem*nt to your policy.

You should also look at the limits and deductibles for the coverage to ensure you’ll be covered in case you need to use it. For example, some insurers may offer equipment breakdown insurance with $100,000 in coverage and a $500 deductible.

Make sure the limits are high enough to replace your appliances or home systems, and choose a deductible that fits your budget.

» MORE: What is ordinance or law coverage for homeowners?

What Is Equipment Breakdown Coverage for Homeowners? - NerdWallet (2024)

FAQs

What Is Equipment Breakdown Coverage for Homeowners? - NerdWallet? ›

Sewer or water backup coverage is for damage caused by water backing up into your home through pipes or drains, or because of a sump pump failure. Equipment breakdown coverage is for sudden and accidental breakdowns of HVAC systems and large appliances.

What is equipment breakdown coverage on homeowners policy? ›

Equipment breakdown coverage for homeowners is insurance for your home's appliances and mechanical systems in case they are damaged because of an electrical or mechanical failure. While standard home insurance policies cover some damage to household equipment, it typically only applies to covered events like fires.

What is equipment breakdown coverage on homeowners insurance Safeco? ›

Equipment Breakdown provides protection in the event of an unexpected mechanical or electrical breakdown not caused by normal wear and tear, or corrosion. Only available through a Safeco Homeowners Policy.

What is the equipment breakdown protection coverage form? ›

The equipment breakdown coverage helps protect a wide variety of appliances and devices within your home if they break down or become damaged because of a covered incident. In some instances, the endorsem*nt policy may even protect losses that cause food spoilage.

What is the difference between wear and tear and equipment breakdown? ›

A: Wear and tear usually occurs over time. The performance of the equipment slowly declines and its capacity diminishes; however, the equipment is still functioning. A mechanical breakdown usually occurs suddenly. Typically, the equipment breaks or mechanically locks up.

Does equipment breakdown coverage cover business interruption? ›

Equipment breakdown coverage can pay for: The cost to repair or replace the damaged equipment. Costs for time and labor to repair or replace the equipment. Business Income losses when a covered breakdown causes a partial or total business interruption.

What is equipment breakdown coverage for travelers? ›

Highlights: Covers repair or replacement costs for household equipment damaged by mechanical, electrical or pressure failure. Covers additional living expenses incurred if your policyholder's home becomes uninhabitable.

What is excluded in equipment breakdown coverage? ›

This means that the electrical burnout of motors, generators, circuit breakers, electrical distribution boards, cables, and transformers – from such causes as short circuits and line surges – is not covered. An exception is damage caused directly by lightning.

What is the limit for equipment breakdown? ›

The Cost and Restrictions

Equipment Breakdown Coverage has a coverage limit of $100,000 per occurrence with a $500 deductible. There are no restrictions on the age of equipment or use of life restrictions with additional coverage for major home appliances.

Which of the following is not covered under equipment breakdown coverage? ›

Final answer: Fire or combustion explosion is not covered by the equipment breakdown protection coverage form, as these perils are generally covered under commercial property insurance, unlike spoilage damage, utility interruption, and business income which are covered.

What does breakdown cover cover? ›

Breakdown cover is insurance that means you can get help if your vehicle breaks down. For example, if you get a flat tyre or your engine breaks down, you can call for roadside assistance. When your mechanic arrives, they'll try to fix your vehicle there and then (otherwise known as roadside assistance).

Which would be considered a single accident in equipment breakdown coverage? ›

If an initial Accident causes other Accidents, all will be considered one Accident. All Accidents that are the result of the same event will be considered one Accident.

What is equipment breakdown coverage for homeowners? ›

Equipment breakdown coverage is an optional endorsem*nt that may be added to certain home insurance policies to protect against the cost of repairing or replacing your appliances and systems if they break down.

How does equipment insurance work? ›

Equipment insurance covers losses to business's movable tools and equipment. If an item is lost, stolen, or damaged, the policy typically helps insured to pay for repairs or replacement of the covered equipment. For example, a crew member may accidentally drop a tool that then needs repair.

What is the difference between equipment breakdown and boiler and machinery? ›

Boiler and machinery insurance, also called equipment breakdown insurance, provides coverage for physical damage and financial loss that can result from an equipment breakdown.

What is the meaning of breakdown of equipment? ›

Equipment Breakdown means physical damage to covered equipment that is a direct result of an Accident. Accident means a fortuitous event that causes direct physical loss or damage to Covered Property.

What is the standard deductible on an equipment breakdown protection coverage form? ›

Equipment breakdown coverage typically costs from $25 to $50 per year and usually has a coverage limit and a deductible, often $500. Your deductible is how much you pay before insurance kicks in, while your coverage limit is the maximum amount the insurance company will pay for a covered loss.

What is included in wear and tear? ›

whether any deterioration to fixtures, furnishings, walls or floor coverings reflected "ordinary and reasonable use", and other relevant matters including: the condition and age of fixtures and furnishings at the commencement of the tenancy. type of flooring (carpet, tiles, wood or laminate)

Is equipment breakdown an inland marine coverage? ›

If your equipment is damaged when moving from your location to your customer, you would be covered with inland marine/equipment insurance. For example, if you're a carpet cleaning business, your equipment breaks down while working, your inland marine coverage would pay for the repair of your machinery.

What is the abbreviation for equipment breakdown insurance? ›

Boiler and machinery (BM) insurance is a type of insurance coverage that protects businesses from financial losses due to the sudden breakdown of equipment or machinery.

Which of the following is found under the definition of a breakdown under an equipment breakdown coverage form? ›

Which of the following is found under the definition of a "Breakdown" under a Equipment Breakdown Coverage form? Mechanical failure including rupture or bursting caused by centrifugal force.

Which of the following is not covered equipment under equipment breakdown coverage? ›

Final answer: Computer equipment is generally not considered 'covered equipment' under an Equipment Breakdown Protection Coverage Form; such coverage is usually for mechanical, electrical, and pressure systems equipment.

Why many businesses need equipment breakdown insurance? ›

It's designed to cover the repair or replacement costs. In addition, it can offer a financial buffer for lost business income while a vital piece of machinery or equipment is offline, as well as cover the cost of inventory that is lost or damaged as a result of the malfunction or failure.

Does equipment breakdown cover pool equipment? ›

This includes heating and cooling systems, appliances, water heaters, swimming pool equipment, well pumps, permanently installed generators and transfer switches, and permanently installed home automation and security systems.

What is equipment breakdown spoilage coverage? ›

Spoilage coverage is an endorsem*nt to a business owner's policy (BOP) that may cover perishable stock at a business for breakdown or contamination and for a power outage.

Is boiler and machinery the same as equipment breakdown? ›

Equipment breakdown insurance, which is traditionally known as boiler and machinery (BM) insurance, provides coverage for damage or loss resulting from unexpected mechanical breakdowns, electrical power surges, or other qualifying types of failure.

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