Downhole heat exchanger insurance: green investing

Heating using geothermal energy is environmentally friendly, energy-efficient and cost-effective. Despite somewhat higher procurement costs than for oil or gas heating, this ecological investment is worthwhile. Nevertheless, the downhole heat exchanger anchored firmly in the ground is exposed to its own risks.

Comprehensive cover for your downhole heat exchanger
Uncomplicated claims development by technical specialists
Five years of worry-free protection for your investment at a guaranteed premium

Option to extend the insurance following expiration: thus your investment remains protected in the future too
Security of having a warm home even while the damage is being rectified (cost of replacement heating appliances is covered in case of a claim)

Hefty expenses for repairs

If a claim arises for a so-called heat pump, it is often a case of total loss. In addition to the actual damage, there may be considerable follow-up costs: when it comes to laying a new heat exchanger a new hole needs to be drilled, access routes opened up, construction sites set up and the surrounding area restored following the drilling. Helvetia offers the possibility of protecting your investment in sustainable energy generation against sudden and unforeseeable damages with comprehensive insurance. The cover corresponds to a kind of comprehensive coverage for downhole heat exchangers. On top of this, Helvetia ensures the policyholder can still enjoy a warm home in case of a claim, since the costs of a possible replacement heating appliance during the repair or the renewal of the damaged heat exchanger are covered.

Further information

Important benefits

The downhole heat exchanger insurance offers comprehensive insurance coverage in case of a claim and covers the biggest risks. The insurance covers the cost of restoration to the condition just before the claim, specifically:

Replacement of the downhole heat exchanger
Expense of the plumber required to check the source of trouble or cause
Expert costs for expert opinions
Travel costs for the drilling machine
Crane to lift the drilling machine into the garden
Earth and excavation works for testing the supply line
Drilling and positioning the new heat exchanger (or several heat exchangers where necessary)
Connection of the new heat exchanger
Heating appliance to cover the period while the downhole heat exchanger is out of action (Assumption of additional costs)
Restoration of garden/surrounding area

Case of a claim

Three heat exchangers are crushed at a depth of around 190 metres. The damage was caused by a swellable layer of rock. The crushing of the heat exchanger has reduced the flow to such an extent that too little thermal energy is generated to heat the building. Since it is not possible to repair the heat exchanger, the existing heat exchangers have to be discarded and drilled again. The cost of the experts’ opinions, the additional costs to cover the heating outage and the drilling costs for the new heat exchangers amount to around CHF 75,000.