Your homeowners policy may also cover mold and mildew cleanup in this scenario, as well. Standard homeowners policies typically won't cover blocked pipes from tree roots or any type of sewage backup. However, many insurers, including
Most home insurance policies do not cover sewer line backups and clogged pipes. If your toilet or sewage system overflows and causes water damage, you will be responsible for the repair costs.
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.
Usually, yes. (Big sigh of relief, right?) In most cases, your home insurance policy will cover water damage that is caused by three types of appliance/plumbing problems: Overflow – when water flows beyond its available space (e.g. a washing machine, tub, or toilet)
Buildings insurance is designed to help protect you against sudden, unforeseen events like burst pipes. So if your toilet suddenly backfills or your pipes burst due to freezing temperatures, your buildings insurance should cover you for the damage the water causes to your building.
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.
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.
Your septic tank is considered a part of your home, which means it is covered by your homeowners policy in cases of sudden damage. However, any damage that's caused by neglect or a lack of maintenance will not be 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.
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.
Will a toilet eventually unblock? Depending on the type of blockage a toilet can eventually unclog itself. Toilet paper may start to break down as the toilet is flushed.
What to do if you can't unblock your toilet? If all else fails, it may be time to call the plumber.
Items like cotton swabs, hair, paper towels, and toys should never be flushed down the toilet, but unfortunately, such misuse can lead to clogs. If the clog is a direct result of the tenant's actions, such as flushing inappropriate items, the responsibility to fix it typically falls on the tenant.
Typically, a basic homeowners insurance policy will cover plumbing if the damage is sudden and accidental, rather than gradual. “Sudden and accidental” is a phrase that most insurance carriers use to determine which plumbing claims are covered and which are not.
Costs Associated With Unclogging A Toilet
Toilet unclogging projects can range anywhere from $85-$600, depending upon the overall extent of the clog. Basic cleanouts will only cost around $80-$150, but serious clogs may require more sophisticated drain cleaning technology that increases the average costs to $150-$300.
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.
In most cases, homeowners insurance does cover septic tank damage when it results from a sudden, unexpected event (as you might have noticed from the above list). However, home insurance is not likely to cover damage resulting from septic system problems caused by wear and tear or lack of maintenance.
Septic tanks are often not included in home inspections, and major problems may be missed even when the tank is examined.
After you file a home insurance claim, it's possible that your premium will increase when your policy renews. If you file one claim, your insurance company may see you as likely to file another in the future. To offset the cost of that potential claim, your insurance company may charge you more for your policy.
Average Flat Rate
Some plumbing jobs are billed at a flat rate. As of 2025, the average plumber rates for larger repairs are typically between $500 to $800, while smaller jobs like repairing toilets, sinks, faucets, or bathtubs typically range from $125 to $350.
It just depends. Insurance policies may cover repiping if there is significant damage due to a fire or natural disaster. If there is extremely cold winter weather and your pipes freeze and then burst, your insurance policy may cover related expenses, but not always.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
For example, if the toilet overflows because of a user error (i.e., flushed too much toilet paper or a toy), it will likely be covered by insurance. However, if the toilet overflowed because of a sewage issue, it likely will not be covered by insurance.
Overall, it is best to make sure to call insurance, right after you call the emergency plumber, when dealing with water damage in the home. Acting swiftly to maintain your home and minimize water damage will ensure your claim is best supported.
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.