12/22/2025
Important Reminder: review your homeowners insurance!
One of the most common and costly homeowners claims that is usually not covered by a standard homeowners policy is water and sewer backup.
A Real-Life Scenario
A homeowner experiences a heavy rainstorm that overwhelms the city sewer system. Water backs up through the basement floor drain, damaging flooring, drywall, furniture, and stored personal items. Because this loss was caused by a sewer backup—and not a burst pipe—coverage was not included on the standard homeowners policy, resulting in thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses.
Flooding vs. Water & Sewer Backup: What’s the Difference?
Flooding:
Water that enters the home from outside—such as rising groundwater, overflowing rivers, or surface water after heavy rain. Flood damage requires a separate flood insurance policy.
Water & Sewer Backup:
Water that backs up into the home through drains, toilets, or sump pumps due to a blockage or overwhelmed sewer system. This is covered only if a water & sewer backup endorsement is added to the homeowners policy.
While both involve water damage, they are insured very differently—and standard homeowners policies typically exclude both unless additional coverage is in place.
