Quick answer
A comprehensive AMC (CAMC) covers service, labour and most spare parts for the contract period, usually with a list of exclusions. A non-comprehensive AMC covers scheduled service and breakdown labour only — parts are billed separately when needed. CAMC costs more because the provider takes on the risk of part replacements.
What "comprehensive" really means
"Comprehensive" does not mean "everything". In trade practice it means labour plus parts, except the parts listed as excluded. The exclusion list is where most disputes begin, so it deserves as much attention as the price.
A non-comprehensive AMC is simpler. The provider promises visits and labour. If a part fails, the customer approves a quote and pays for it.
Coverage, item by item
Typical coverage in Indian service trades. Actual terms vary by provider and contract.
| Item | Comprehensive | Non-comprehensive |
|---|---|---|
| Preventive visits | Included | Included |
| Breakdown visits and labour | Included | Included |
| Electrical and mechanical parts | Mostly included | Charged extra |
| High-value parts (compressor, main board, motor) | Varies — sometimes capped or excluded | Charged extra |
| Consumables (filters, oil, gas top-up) | Varies by trade and contract | Usually charged extra |
| Body, plastic and cosmetic parts | Commonly excluded | Charged extra |
| Damage from misuse, voltage, water or fire | Commonly excluded | Charged extra |
How it plays out by equipment
Air conditioners
CAMCs for AC service often cover PCBs, fan motors and capacitors. Compressors are the big variable — some providers include them only for units below a certain age, others exclude them outright. Gas charging may be included once a year or billed per refill.
Lifts
For lift maintenance, comprehensive contracts are common in housing societies and commercial buildings because a single major part can be expensive. Items like ropes, major machine overhauls and civil or electrical work in the building are often treated separately. Terms depend heavily on the lift's age and make.
DG sets
Generator AMCs often separate scheduled consumables (oil, filters, coolant) from repair parts. A contract may be comprehensive on repairs but still bill consumables per service interval, since usage depends on running hours.
What drives CAMC cost
There is no single market rate for a CAMC. It varies by city, brand and scope. The main drivers:
- Age and condition of the equipment — older units fail more often.
- Brand and parts availability — imported or discontinued parts cost more.
- Number of units at one site — more units usually lowers the rate per unit.
- Usage — a clinic AC running 14 hours a day is not the same risk as a bedroom AC.
- Site conditions — coastal air, dust or unstable power raise the risk.
- Response commitment — faster promised attendance costs more to deliver.
- Exclusions — the fewer the exclusions, the higher the price.
For a method to work out your own numbers, see how to price AMC contracts.
For providers: when to offer CAMC
A CAMC can be good business if you control the risk:
- Inspect before you quote. Do not offer comprehensive cover on equipment you have not seen.
- Set an age limit, or price older units differently.
- Write a clear exclusion list and attach it to the contract.
- Consider caps on specific high-value parts.
- Review each unit's complaint and part history at renewal.
Questions to settle before signing a CAMC
Both sides should agree on these in writing. Most CAMC disputes come from one of them being left vague:
- Which parts are excluded — named, not described as "major parts"?
- Is there a cap on any single part, or on total parts cost for the year?
- Are consumables such as filters, oil or gas included, and how often?
- What happens if a part is discontinued or has to be imported?
- Is there an age limit after which the unit moves to non-comprehensive cover?
- What is the target response time for breakdown complaints?
For customers: which one to choose
Choose comprehensive if the equipment is business-critical, relatively new, or you need a predictable yearly cost. Choose non-comprehensive if the equipment is older, rarely fails, or you prefer to approve each part replacement yourself.
Whichever type you sell, record it against each unit in your AMC software, so your team knows whether a complaint is covered before they quote. More on the basics in What Is AMC? or see how AMC management software keeps it all in one place.
How AMCFlow helps
- Record an AMC on each unit with its start and end dates, so mixed contracts at one site stay clear.
- Log complaints against the AMC with a complaint number — useful when you review part usage at renewal.
- Assign complaints to technicians with a WhatsApp job alert carrying customer, mobile, address, product, problem and complaint number.
- Expiry dashboard showing AMCs nearing expiry, so you can review terms before renewing.
Frequently asked questions
What is CAMC?
CAMC stands for Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract. It covers service, labour and most spare parts for the contract period, except the items listed as exclusions.
What is a non-comprehensive AMC?
A non-comprehensive AMC covers scheduled service visits and breakdown labour. Spare parts are not included and are billed separately when a replacement is needed.
Why does a comprehensive AMC cost more?
Because the provider takes on the cost of replacing parts during the contract. The price reflects the age, brand, usage and condition of the equipment, along with the exclusions.
What is usually excluded from a CAMC?
Common exclusions are physical damage, misuse, damage from voltage fluctuation or water, cosmetic and body parts, and some consumables. Exclusions vary by provider and should be written in the contract.
Can a non-comprehensive AMC be converted to comprehensive?
Usually yes, at renewal. Most providers inspect the equipment first and then quote a comprehensive price based on its age and condition.