Does Home Insurance Cover Water Backing Up?
When water backs up into your home—whether through a drain, sewer, or sump pump—it can cause significant damage. Homeowners often assume their standard insurance policy will cover it, but that’s not always the case. In this blog post, we’ll explain when water backup is covered, when it isn’t, and how you can protect your home and finances.
What is Water Backup?
Water backup occurs when water flows in the opposite direction it’s supposed to go, entering your home instead of exiting it. Common causes include:
Clogged or overwhelmed sewer lines
Malfunctioning sump pumps
Blocked or damaged drains
Heavy rain overwhelming city systems
This type of water damage can be messy, costly, and disruptive.
Does Standard Home Insurance Cover It?
In most cases, standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover water backup. That’s because water backup is considered a maintenance-related issue or a separate type of risk not included in basic coverage.
What About Flood Insurance?
Many homeowners mistakenly believe flood insurance will cover water backing up into their home. Unfortunately, flood insurance only covers water entering from outside the home due to natural flooding, not from interior backups or plumbing issues.
How to Get Coverage for Water Backup
To protect yourself, you need to add water backup coverage as an endorsement (also known as a rider) to your homeowners policy. This add-on is relatively affordable and provides essential protection in the event of:
Sewer or drain backups
Sump pump failure or overflow
Resulting water damage to flooring, walls, and personal belongings
Coverage limits typically range from $5,000 to $25,000, but higher limits may be available depending on your insurer.
Why You Should Consider Adding It
It’s Cost-Effective: The cost of adding water backup coverage is modest compared to the potential damage and repair bills.
It Happens More Often Than You Think: Aging infrastructure and increased rainfall make backups a common issue.
Peace of Mind: Knowing you’re covered allows you to handle emergencies without additional stress.
Prevention Tips for Water Backup
Even with coverage, it’s wise to take preventive steps:
Install and maintain a battery backup for your sump pump
Avoid flushing non-flushable items
Have your drains and sewer lines professionally inspected
Install a backwater valve
How Hixson & Malinowski Insurance Can Help
At Hixson & Malinowski Insurance Agency, we help homeowners in Parma and beyond understand their coverage and protect their homes. Our team can:
Review your current policy to check for water backup protection
Recommend appropriate endorsement limits
Offer guidance on flood insurance and other optional coverages
Conclusion
Water backup is a messy, costly problem that often isn’t covered by a standard home insurance policy. Fortunately, adding water backup coverage is simple and affordable. Don’t wait until it’s too late—talk to the experts at Hixson & Malinowski Insurance to make sure your home is fully protected.
