Florida offers tremendous benefits to residents, including year-round sunny weather and breathtaking vistas. But one drawback to living in Florida is the summer heat, which requires almost constant air conditioning. If your home isn’t well insulated, the energy costs can be exorbitant. Many homeowners in Polk County, FL, consider energy upgrades to insulation, home appliances, and HVAC systems in order to control expenses. A common question asked of The Isom Insurance Group serving Polk County, FL, is whether home insurance pays for energy upgrades. Unfortunately, the answer is almost always no.
Cases Where Energy Upgrades May be Covered
If your home or one of its systems is damaged in a covered event, such as a fire, flood, or storm damage, you may be able to get some coverage for energy upgrades. Although not directly covered, if you need to replace a home appliance due to a covered event, you can choose a modern one with a higher ENERGY STAR rating. But if you add energy upgrades to a covered claim—for instance, added insulation when you have to replace the roof due to a fallen tree—the insurance may not cover the expenses related to the energy upgrade.
Other Benefits of Making Energy Upgrades
While you may not get insurance benefits for energy upgrades, there are other ways this kind of improvement pays off. You may increase the value of your home in the eyes of a buyer, and you’ll most certainly see the benefits in your energy bills each month. From this standpoint, energy upgrades are almost always worth the upfront cost.
Home Insurance in Polk County, FL
Do you have other questions related to home insurance? The Isom Insurance Group, serving Polk County, FL, is here to answer your questions or start a new policy for you. Contact us today to get started.