Water Backup Insurance

Water damage to homes often is a result of backed-up drains, sump pumps, or worse – backed-up sewers.  This type of damage is one of the most common homeowner’s insurance claims that is, unfortunately, not covered by traditional homeowner’s policies. The average cost to fix the damages of a water back-up mishap is expensive according to this article from The Balance. It could cost $7.25 a square foot or more! That’s why it’s important to make sure you and your home are protected with water backup insurance.

What is Water Backup Insurance?

When you think of water damage to your home, you may think of flooding.  As mentioned above, there are other ways your home can be damaged by water, like through clogged or backed-up drains, faulty sump pumps, or clogged sewer lines. Water backup insurance is there to cover your home in the case that waterborne materials or raw sewage back up into your home, resulting in damage to property within the home or the structure itself.

Cost of Water Backup Insurance

The average cost of adding this coverage to your homeowner’s policy can range from $50 to $250 annually, depending on your limits.  Various limits for this coverage can range from covering just the costs for repairs and damage, all the way to covering the whole cost of your home if it becomes inhabitable.

Water Backup vs. Flood Insurance

Water backup insurance is different from flood insurance, neither being part of a homeowner’s policy, covering different claims.  Water backup occurs when waterborne or raw sewage materials back up into your home.  Water can come through sewers, drains, sump pumps or any other plumbing equipment located throughout your home.  Flooding occurs when water enters a home through windows, doors, or cracks in the foundation, causing damage.  Flood insurance covers damage caused by an overflow of water from melting snow, rising bodies of water, or excessive rainfall.

How to Prevent Water Backups

Some situations that cause backups are unavoidable, but there are preventative steps you can take to lower your chance of falling victim to a water backup:

  • Ensure you have a sump pump alarm.
  • Run your sump pump monthly and clean it annually to prevent clogs or damage before rainy seasons.
  • Don’t pour grease down drains. Grease may harden over time and causing a backup.
  • Do not flush anything other than bathroom tissue down toilets.
  • Consider replacing current sewer lines with plastic piping to prevent tree roots from cracking lines.
  • Adjust landscaping and irrigation systems so water flows away from your home.

We’ve got your back.  Call our office today to speak with one of our Personal Risk Advisors who can help add this coverage to your current homeowner’s policy.

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