It’s that sewer backup insurance time of year again

Sewer backup insurance - Flooded sewer

Springtime is a big reminder of why this type of additional coverage can be very worthwhile.

Springtime comes with melting snow and heavy downpours while the ground is already saturated with moisture, reminding many people of the importance of sewer backup insurance for their homes and businesses.

This is a common time of year for people to find that there is water on the lower level of their homes.

Basements are at a particularly high risk but in some areas, where the water levels are high enough, the ground floor can also benefit from sewer backup insurance. Unfortunately, while many people assume that their homeowners’ policy or flood protection will cover them, that is not the case if a drain backs up. All too many families discover this exclusion the hard – and often expensive – way.

Sewer backup insurance - Flooded sewer

Water can rapidly rise up through a drainage pipe, spreading across the floor and rising by several inches. This is enough to destroy flooring, carpeting and rugs, furniture, and any other possessions stored on lower shelves, on the floor, or close to the floor. The cost associated with filthy water rising on the lower level of a home can be a high one. Without the additional coverage, most insurers don’t include it as a standard part of their homeowners and flood policies.

In most cases, sewer backup insurance is considered to be an add-on and not a standard part of a policy.

When it comes to coverage, there is a difference between a flooded basement and one affected by water that came back up a drain. Flooding typically happens when there has been a lot of rain and the amount of water from outside saturates the ground, allowing the water to rise and pour into the house. If the house has a sump pump, it will need to have been more water than the unit could expel from the house. There is a difference between these two causes.

Adding sewer backup insurance to a homeowners insurance policy costs very little – usually a few dollars per month – and is notably cheaper than federal flood coverage. Insurance experts are recommending that homeowners consider this add-on to their policies, particularly if they have a basement or crawlspace.

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