Does homeowners insurance cover sewer lines?
As a homeowner, you are probably aware of the importance of having a home insurance policy to protect your investment. After all, home insurance policies are intended to pay for repairs to your home caused by covered perils such as fire, wind, vandalism, or theft. This type of insurance coverage, in turn, will help to protect your finances from the costly repair costs that these types of perils can cause.
However, you may be unaware that your home insurance policy does not cover all structures in or around your home. Indeed, certain aspects of your home are typically excluded from coverage under a standard homeowner's policy. Sewer lines are one of the areas that are not covered by standard homeowners insurance. Here's what you should know if you're wondering whether your sewer lines are covered by your home insurance policy.
Does homeowners insurance cover sewer lines?
Is it true that homeowners insurance covers sewer lines? The short answer is no, standard homeowners policies do not cover the cost of repairing or replacing sewer lines under or outside of your home. Similarly, a standard homeowners policy will not typically cover water damage to your home or belongings caused by a sewer line backup, and damage caused by a broken sewer line will only be covered in limited circumstances.
Some homeowners insurance companies, however, may provide special endorsements that extend coverage to sewer lines. These types of coverage are typically optional and must be added to your policy at an additional cost. However, unless these types of coverage are listed as an additional coverage endorsement on your homeowners policy, you will most likely be responsible for paying for any sewer line repairs out of pocket.
When does homeowners insurance cover sewer lines?
While sewer line damages are typically excluded from standard home insurance coverage, there are some circumstances in which your policy may cover damages to your home caused by a broken or malfunctioning sewer line. In some cases, your home insurance policy may cover the cost of repairing or replacing the sewer line. If the damage was caused by a named peril in your policy, this is usually the case.
For example, if a gas company causes a gas line explosion on your property, your standard policy may pay to replace the broken sewer lines as well as any losses to your home, minus any deductible you owe. Because, while different types of homeowners insurance cover different perils, explosions are usually listed as a peril in a standard policy.
What can cause damage to your sewer line?
A sewer line can be damaged in a variety of ways, potentially causing damage to your home, including:
- Flooding: One of the most common causes of sewer line damage is flooding. Rising water can cause soil, sediment, and debris to shift, causing pipes to be damaged or broken.
- Freezing temperatures: If your underground pipe freezes due to a very cold storm, freezing temperatures can cause damage to your sewer line.
- Tree roots: Roots from trees in your yard or trees on or near your property can grow into your sewer line, causing it to rupture.
- Drain clogs: Clogs in your drain can cause water to back up into your home.
Optional coverage for sewer lines
If your sewer line has a leak, you may have several options for repairing the damage. If the leak is minor, a plumber can usually repair the sewer line with a patch. If the leak is severe, you may need to replace the entire sewer line.
If you are looking for coverage for sewer line damage to your home, you may have a few options. These are some examples:
Add a service line endorsement
Adding a service line endorsement to your homeowner's insurance policy will typically provide coverage for sewer line repair and replacement due to gradual damage. This typically covers repairs for sewer line damage caused by normal wear and tear, as well as damage caused by lines cracking, breaking, or rupturing.
While service line endorsement coverage varies, it typically includes damages caused by:
- Corrosion, decay, rust, or deterioration
- Mechanical or electrical failure
- Normal wear and tear
- Tree or root damage
- Rodent, vermin, insect, and other pest damage
- Damage caused by freezing temperatures
- Damage caused by pressure from heavy equipment, vehicles, etc.
- Damage caused by collapse
Purchase sewer backup coverage
Some homeowners insurance companies may also provide sewer backup insurance as an add-on endorsement to a standard policy. This endorsement does not typically cover sewer line damage, but rather provides coverage for the repair of items such as flooring, drywall, and furnishings if water or sewage backs up the pipe into your home. If you want coverage for sewer backups, you should check with your insurance company to see if they provide it. If it does, speak with your agent about adding a sewer backup rider or endorsement to your policy.
Consider a home warranty
A home warranty may provide sewer line coverage. A home warranty is not homeowners insurance; rather, it is a separate plan, similar to a service contract, that assists in covering the costs of certain home repairs. Some home warranties include sewer line repairs and replacements, whereas others do not.