Does Flood Insurance Cover Backed Up Sewer Lines?

For those who live in a high-risk area, flooding insurance is a must have. While it may be a difficult policy to obtain and it can be expensive, it can provide significant financial support to individuals who are likely to experience a flood. But, what does that mean to you? If you have flood insurance that does not mean that all types of flooding events are covered. For those struggling with a sewer backup, policy coverage can be limited in some cases.

Unfortunately, when a sewer backup, the home can suffer significant damage and it can lead to thousands of dollars in property loss. The damage can include furniture, electrical systems, floors, and damage to the walls. If you’ve selected a property insurance policy that includes sewer damage protection, which generally is not expensive, it can help to cover the losses related to these types of instances.

Flood insurance generally is related to flooding from weather events. In some situations, this can be the cause of your sewer backup. However, it is more common that sewers become backed up as a result of an aging system, combined pipelines, or blockages. When it comes to determining if you have coverage for the losses, this depends on the insurance you maintain.

For example, most standard property insurance plans such as home insurance, will provide coverage for sewer damage that is not due to maintenance-related issues or normal wear and tear. Some policies also feature a loss of use component. This means that if your home becomes inhabitable while the cleanup happens, it will help to cover those losses as well. If the flooding of your basement is brought on by a weather-related event, such as a hurricane or rising waters from rain, then your flood insurance is likely to kick in to help support your losses.

If you’ve experienced any type of flooding and you have flood insurance, contact your insurance carrier today to discuss your needs. If you don’t have proper flood insurance and property insurance for sewer coverage, it may be time to update your policy to include it. This can make a big difference in the overall protection you have when an incident occurs.