Your homeowners’ insurance policy likely covers electrical panel replacement in certain situations. It probably covers damage, including lightning that strikes the breaker box, a fire, or other events considered “Acts of God” or “Acts of Nature.” It’s important to read your own homeowner’s policy carefully, as what is and is not included in covered perils varies from policy to policy.
Your policy also likely spells out certain exclusions where the insurer will not cover the cost of fixing or replacing the electric panel. This could include damage because the panel is poorly maintained, old, or has other predictable issues.
If you’re worried about the condition of your home’s electrical system, circuit breakers, or panel, or if you’re concerned that it poses fire hazards, we can help. Contact Indigo Home & Facility Services today to learn about the replacement of your electrical panel or fixing other electrical issues.
The Importance of an Electrical Panel in Your Home’s Electrical System
The electrical panel, also referred to as the breaker box, controls your home’s electrical system. Think of it as the brain and the electrical wiring in your house as the nervous system for power. The electrical panel is the central hub of your house’s electrical system, directing the appropriate amount of juice to your electronics, appliances, lighting, and more.
Your house’s electrical panel is also equipped with several safety features, and it protects your home against certain dangers. Depending on the type of electrical panel you have, it likely automatically turns off power to the circuits under certain hazardous conditions. For example, if your circuits overload or there’s a short circuit, the breaker box automatically stops power to the affected areas. This safety feature can help ensure that an electrical fire doesn’t start and prevents damage to electronics and electric appliances.
Your home’s electric panel is a small but mighty piece of your home. Because it has so much effect on the preservation of your appliances, electronics, and wiring and can help prevent electrical fires, it’s important to ensure that your insurance covers electrical panel damage. Choosing your homeowner’s insurance coverage carefully is critical, as you want a policy that should cover almost all types of damage.
Just because a homeowner’s insurance policy can cover an electric panel doesn’t mean it willcover any damage that happens.
Are There Electrical Panels That Are Uninsurable?
No matter what type of electrical panel you have in your Austin, TX, home, if you fail to keep it in good repair and comply with the Texas electrical code, your homeowners’ insurance policy will likely not cover damage to it. If it’s improperly installed or malfunctions due to faulty wiring, it may also be uninsurable.
You may need a whole-home re-wiring to qualify for insurance coverage if you have an older home. Many older houses in Texas feature aluminum or knot-and-tube wiring, common in houses built before 1980. However, these are hazardous and carry a significant fire risk. In fact, if your house has one of these types of wiring, some insurance companies will not extend coverage. If you upgrade your wiring or panel, though, then an insurance carrier may cover your house.
These older panels aren’t usually covered by insurance because modern households have a significantly higher demand for electrical power. Aluminum wiring and knot-and-tube panels also have significant safety issues like:
- They can cause a shock
- Higher risk of electrical fire
- Overheating
- Improper tripping
Some of the more common types of electrical panels in older Austin homes, those that won’t be covered by insurance, include:
- Zinsco electrical panels
- Federal Pacific electrical panels (FPE Stab Lok models)
- GTE Sylvania electrical panels
- Challenger electrical panels that have HGAF-15 or 20-amp breaker
Other features of your home’s wiring that could jeopardize your insurance coverage include having screw-in fuses or a fuse-based electric panel.
If you’re not sure whether your panel may be covered under homeowners’ insurance, you can check the manufacturer listed on the panel. Or, if you’re still unsure, call a licensed electrician from Indigo Home & Facility Services to inspect the panel, assess its efficacy and safety, and help you learn whether it’s insurable or needs an upgrade to qualify you for homeowners’ insurance coverage.
Does My Homeowner’s Insurance Covers Electrical Panel Re-wiring?
If you need to re-wire your home to bring it up to code or ensure it’s safe, your insurance policy likely won’t cover it. If it is an upgrade or fix to your home that you initiate, then your policy may not cover it, although it’s always a good idea to call your insurance carrier and determine what would and would not be covered.
You could also ask about discounts if you pay for a whole-home electrical panel re-wiring to make the house safer and more efficient.
Situations When Your Homeowner’s Insurance Will Cover Electrical Panel Replacement
Most homeowners’ insurance policies cover electrical pane replacement if it’s damaged by a sudden and unpredictable event. Many policies refer to the following as “sudden peril”:
- Tornado
- Lighting strike
- Smoke
- Fire
- Ice or snow
- Hail
- Windstorm
- Theft
- Explosion
If you have flood coverage on your policy, and a flood causes damage to the electrical panel, then your homeowners’ policy could cover any necessary repairs.
Do You Need Help with an Electrical Panel Repair or Re-wiring?
If you’re having trouble with your Austin, TX, home’s electrical panel or wiring system, we are your local, dependable team of licensed electricians. Contact Indigo Home & Facility Services today at (512) 608-4999 for repairs, wiring replacements, and all things home-electric.