While homeowners insurance protects you against some forms of unexpected water damage, water back-ups and sump pump overflows are usually not covered. You may purchase optional water back-up coverage that may pay for damages in the case of sewage back-up or a malfunctioning sump pump.
If the damage is sudden, accidental, and comes from inside your home, you're typically protected with a standard homeowners insurance policy. However, you typically won't be covered if the water damage is caused by outside flooding or a neglected repair.
Sewer and Water Backup coverage is an endorsement on homeowners' policies. It usually comes in different coverage increments: $5,000. $10,000.
Homeowners insurance may cover sewer line damage if it stems from something already included in your policy, like a fire or windstorm. Sewer line damage that is the result of wear and tear is excluded from home insurance coverage.
A sewage spill can be damaging not only to your home, but also to your finances. Most sewer backup cleanup and restoration services cost between $2,000 and $10,000.
No, standard homeowners insurance does not cover sewer backup. However, many home insurance companies offer it as an optional coverage or endorsement that is added to a standard homeowners insurance policy.
Every year, sewer backups cause damage to millions of households. Many homeowners may not know that they tend to be responsible for the maintenance and repair of the pipeline between their city's sewer main and their building, and if it gets damaged or clogged, it's financially their responsibility to remedy the issue.
Homeowners insurance usually won't cover damage to your home caused by sewer, septic tank or drain backups. That's unfortunate, because these types of backups can cause thousands—even tens of thousands—of dollars of damage to your personal property.
Plumber Drain Snaking Costs
Simple sink, shower, or toilet clogs – $100 to $250 per drain. Kitchen sink or laundry drain cleanout – $150 to $275 average cost. Main sewer line augering – $200 to $500 per cleaning. Extensive sewervideo inspection & repairs – $400 to $1,000+
Sewer laterals are the underground pipes that connect your home wastewater to the main sewer line in the street. Homeowners are responsible for their sewer laterals, while problems with the public sewer main line are managed by the city or municipality.
For example, damages caused by a sewer backup are covered if the backup is a direct result of flooding. However, if the backup is caused by some other problem, the damages are not covered.
Homeowners are legally responsible for maintaining service lines from their home to their property line. And, standard homeowners policies don't cover service line damage, which means you are on the hook financially for any damaged lines between the street and your house.
Causes of sewer backups
While most basement water problems are not caused by sewer backups, the Civil Engineering Research Foundation reports that the number of backed up sewers is increasing at an alarming rate of about 3 percent annually. There are a number of causes of sewer backups—here are some of the most common.
Take photos or videos of the affected areas and any damaged items. Capture any water-related damage, such as damaged walls, furniture, appliances, water-logged items and rusted property. This documentation will be essential when filing an insurance claim. It can serve as evidence of the extent of the damage.
Can I keep my homeowners insurance claim check and make the repairs myself? Your ability to complete your repairs on your own will depend on your policy and the nature of the repairs. Many insurance companies will allow you to complete simple repairs yourself, though they may require supervision.
Call your insurance agent and report the claim. If needed, hire a professional water damage clean-up company. Determine if you need to leave the home. Take photos of the damaged area and any damaged possessions.
You'll likely pay between $300 and $450 to unclog your toilet with Roto-Rooter. However, the price could change depending on if the clog has caused a lot of damage, which your plumbing pro will want to inspect during your service appointment. Keep in mind that you won't get a quote from Roto-Rooter over the phone.
You can tackle a clogged sewer line using other strategies if you don't have a snake on hand. First, you can run hot water down the drain for 5 to 10 minutes to see if that helps break up the clog. If it doesn't, pour equal parts of vinegar and baking soda into a bowl and then pour that mixture down the drain.
Repairs to sewers
Sewers and lateral drains connected to the public network used to be the responsibility of the property owner. However, most are now maintained by local water companies. If you have any problems with your sewer or lateral drain, for example if it's blocked, contact your local water company.
Not usually. While insurance may help cover damage to your property caused by tree roots, it generally won't cover costs associated specifically with the sewer lines.
However, a homeowners policy won't cover slow, constant leaks or other plumbing problems resulting from neglect or improper maintenance. This also applies to backed-up sump pumps or sewage systems that have not been routinely inspected and maintained.
Reasons for denial can range from the nature of the damage itself—such as gradual damage that occurred over time—to issues with how the claim was filed, including missed deadlines or insufficient documentation. Furthermore, unreported property modifications can also lead to complications during the claims process.
The city is responsible for any sewer problem starting from the main sewer line. This line carries waste from your home and surrounding homes to places like the city's treatment plant. The pipe usually sits outside your property line on public property.
Sewage backup is a serious issue that requires immediate attention and professional intervention. Due to the health hazards associated with sewage contamination, it is not safe to stay in a house with sewage backup.
Tree roots can grow into and obstruct the sewer lines; or extraordinary amounts of rainfall can infiltrate the system and overload it. The courts have made it clear that the city is liable for sewer back-up damages if, and only if, the city's negligence causes damages.