Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Sewer Line Damage?

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Sewer Line Damage?

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A broken or damaged sewer line isn’t a problem that you can ignore, but between wastewater cleanup and repairs to the line itself, fixing it can be quite expensive. While homeowners insurance can help in some situations, it’s helpful to know about how policies work and what yours covers. Here, we’ll talk about when homeowners insurance can cover sewer line damage, what to look for when setting up a policy, and what to do if your insurance won’t cover the damage.

What Is a Sewer Line Endorsement?

Also commonly referred to as “buried utility line coverage”, a sewer line endorsement is an add-on to homeowners insurance that is meant to help pay for the cost of any repairs for a damaged utility line. These types of endorsements may cover more than just your sewer line, including water pipes, electrical lines, and gas lines. 

It’s important to note that sewer line endorsements vary from insurer to insurer, and they may not cover damage caused by predictable or preventable situations. That said, most utility line coverage can help cover costs like:

• Sewer line repair or replacement
• Excavation or backfill
• Lawn reseeding

What Is Sewer Back-up Coverage?

Spilled wastewater is perhaps one of the most hazardous aspects of a damaged or malfunctioning sewer line. Cleaning up raw sewage is dangerous to your health and requires help from licensed professionals, and eliminating the risk of future problems like mold can be pretty labor-intensive. 

Since sewer line endorsements generally only cover damage to the physical sewer lines, it’s also helpful to sewer back-up coverage. This type of coverage can help pay for water damage inside of your home that is caused by a backed-up sewer line:

• Removing wastewater
• Replacing flooring and personal possessions
• Professional mold prevention

What If I Don’t Have Special Coverage For Sewer Lines?

If your homeowners policy doesn’t have any add-ons to cover damage associated with a broken sewer line, there might still be hope. Most homeowners insurance covers perilous situations such as vandalism, fallen objects, vehicular damage, or fires. In these situations, sewer lines are often listed as “other property structures”, which may be at least partially covered by your policy. 

That said, it’s crucial that you carefully read through your paperwork to see exactly what is covered. Most insurers do not cover damage caused by the following situations:

• Lack of maintenance
• Poor construction or handiwork
• Pest damage
• Floods or earthquakes

Are Tree Root Intrusions Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

Sewer line damage caused by tree root intrusions isn’t typically covered by homeowners insurance. However, depending on your specific policy and insurer, certain aspects of the damage could be eligible for a claim; for example, insurance may help cover water damage repairs, even if it doesn’t pay for the cost of repairing the sewer line itself. Always check your policy to see what you may be eligible for.

What to Do If Your Sewer Line is Damaged

If you’re dealing with a sewer line emergency, don’t wait until you hear back from an insurance agent to get help—the first step should be to contact a licensed sewer repair company. The longer you wait to initiate repairs, the more severe and costly the damage will be. An expert can help minimize damage and lower your expenses in the long run. They may also be able to provide personalized advice based on your specific situation. 

When you need help fast, Earthworks Excavating Services has your back. Just give us a call to get started.