Does Home Insurance Cover Sewer Backups?

December 5, 2022

Basic home insurance does not cover sewer backups. Protect your home and family from expensive water damage with sewer backup insurance.

Talk to your Western Coast insurance expert about purchasing home insurance. We have the knowledge and expertise to guide you through this process.

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Does home insurance cover sewer backup?

You may assume that your home insurance would cover something as significant as a sewer backup damaging your home, but basic home insurance policies do not cover sewer backups. While it is important to keep your home insurance premium low, you should consider adding sewer backup coverage to your home insurance policy.

Your Western Coast home insurance expert will answer any questions you may have about adding sewer backup coverage to your home insurance policy.

Why do sewer backups happen?

A sewer backup happens when sewage flows back into your home through the plumbing. This can be caused by heavy rainfall, private septic system or sump pump failure, or a backup from the municipal sewer system.

A sewer backup is not the same as flooding, which is caused by overflowing bodies of water like lakes and rivers, melting snow, and spring runoff, and is also not covered by basic home insurance.

What kind of damage can a sewer backup cause?

A sewer backup can cause extensive water damage to the lower floors of your house. Your floors and walls may need to be replaced and there is a risk of further damage due to mold. Any personal property you store in your basement can also be destroyed by a sewer backup.

What is sewer backup insurance?

Sewer backup coverage is insurance that can be added to your policy and covers damage caused by a sewer backup. It will help pay for repairing or replacing damaged parts of your home and personal property. How much coverage you need is determined by whether your basement is finished and whether you store valuable property there. Sewer backup insurance also covers additional living expenses, such as a hotel, if your home is uninhabitable during repairs following a sewer backup.

Should you purchase sewer backup insurance?

Sewer backup coverage is not expensive but the cost of repairs due to a sewer backup can cost tens of thousands of dollars. You should consider sewer backup coverage if:

• You live in a low-lying area like along a river or ravine.
• Your area has combined sanitary and storm sewers.
• Severe weather is frequent in your area.
• Sewer backups are frequent in your area.
• Your home's elevation is low relative to sea level.
• Your neighborhood’s density is large compared to the sewer line size.

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