Water backup is one of the most common causes of loss for homeowners but also one of the most misunderstood.
What’s covered, what’s not?
Homeowners policy provides coverage for water that backs up through sewers or drains as long as it originates on premises. As this chart shows, the optional endorsement expands the coverage to provide better protection. This optional endorsement is called Escape of Water from a Sump, Sump Pump or Drain on the Residence Premises.*
| Covered by homeowners policy | Not covered by homeowners policy | Covered by the optional endorsement |
| Toilet or shower drain gets clogged and overflows causing damage | Sewer line in the street backs up and causes the overflow. (Exception: in Texas, this is covered by Safeco’s Homeowners policy.) | Coverage is expanded to include backup or overflow from causes originating off premises as long as the backup or overflow itself occurs on the premises |
| Water that escapes, overflows or discharges from a sump pump, sump well or any other system designed to remove water which is drained from the foundation area | Coverage is provided when water escapes, overflows or discharges from a sump pump or other similar system |
What’s never covered?
- Flooding is the most common excluded coverage. Whether the result of a river overflowing its banks or a dam breaking, water damage caused by surface water entering the house is not covered.
- Overflow originating off-premises is not covered. This would include a sewer line breaking in the street and causing water to flow over the surface into the house.
- Sub-surface water is excluded. For example, if a swimming pool or sprinkler system leaks underground and causes water to seep through the foundation, there is no coverage under either the base policy or the optional endorsement.
Learn more about optional coverages by contacting Long’s Insurance Agency today!
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