Recent heavy rains have overburdened sewer systems, causing raw sewage to back up into drains in homes throughout the country. Backed up sewers can wreak havoc on a home, causing thousands of dollars in damage to floors, walls, furniture and electrical systems, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).
“Sewer backups or the inability of sump pumps to handle runoff water from major downpours are not covered under a typical homeowners insurance policy, nor are they covered by flood insurance,” said Loretta Worters, vice president of the I.I.I. “Those types of coverage must be purchased either as a separate product or as an endorsement to a homeowners policy.”
Worters noted that sewer backup coverage is available from most insurers for a nominal cost—usually an additional annual premium of $40-$50.
Insurance Information Institute
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