What is sewer backup insurance and do you need it?

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Although home insurance covers a wide variety of risks and damage, but there are some exclusions. Water and sewer backup is one of the most common. However, you can purchased water and sewer back up coverage as an endorsement on your home insurance policy.

A water and sewer backup endorsement protects you from multiple water backup risks, including storm drains that can back up during a storm or blockages in the pipes.

The sewer backup endorsement is generally inexpensive and can save you thousands if water or sewage damages your home.

Key Takeaways

A standard home insurance policy usually excludes water and sewer backup.
Water or sewage backing up in your home can be caused by off-premises sources like a storm or on-premises issues like blocked pipes.
A water and sewer backup endorsement provides coverage for damage caused by backups into your home.

Does insurance cover water and sewer backups?

Water and sewage backups are a common exclusion on a standard HO-3 home insurance policy.

Many homeowners may not realize they are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the pipeline between the city sewer main, usually located in the street, and their house.

Sewage backup coverage is available from most insurers as a rider to a home insurance policy. Coverage for $5,000 to $10,000 in damages can run about $75 to $150 a year, according to FEMA, and there’s usually a deductible.

Your cost will be tied to your risk. If your home has multiple pipes that carry waste, it may be more expensive to insure than a home with fewer sewage outlets, says Whittle.

Remember, if sewage seeps into your home, not only does the spill itself need to be addressed, but your plumbing may need to be flushed or replaced. Ductwork carpets, drapes and walls may be soiled, possibly beyond repair.

Sewer backup insurance helps pay for incidental damage, such as cleaning rugs, walls and furniture, according to James Whittle, assistant general counsel and chief claims counsel for the American Insurance Association (AIA). Some policies may cover work on plumbing.

To get the maximum claims payment to which you’re entitled, make sure you have photos on hand of what your home looked like before the damage took place. That way, you can provide your claims adjuster with “before” and “after” pictures. Be sure to itemize property losses and save all receipts for repairs and cleaning.

What causes water and sewer backups?

Some areas of the country have overloaded waste management systems, per Whittle.

“If you’re part of a system that has notorious problems because wastewater treatment facilities are undersized for demand, it could result in backups,” says Whittle.

A call to your community’s public works department may help you determine just how at risk you are for a sewage backup in your home.

If your sewer system’s pipeline combines storm water and sewage, it’s more likely to become overloaded during harsh weather. Tree roots can enter your pipes and cause blockages. Sometimes the problem originates in your home. Improperly disposing of cooking grease or flushing inappropriate objects down your toilet – such as diapers, feminine hygiene products or paper towels – can cause a blockage.