Water claims are where coverage gaps quietly show up, because the policy treats each kind of water differently.
The four kinds of water
- Sudden and accidental water damage, like a pipe that bursts, is typically covered by a standard policy.
- Water backup, when a sewer or drain backs up or a sump pump fails, usually requires an endorsement.
- Sump overflow is often tied to the water backup endorsement.
- Flood, rising surface water, is almost always excluded and requires separate flood insurance.
Why water backup matters
A sewer or drain backup can ruin a finished basement, mechanicals, and stored belongings, and it is one of the more common home claims. Without the endorsement, that loss may not be covered at all. With it, you have a defined limit for exactly that event.
What to compare
For each quote, confirm whether water backup is included, the limit, whether sump overflow is covered, and whether there is a separate water deductible. Then confirm flood is handled separately if your home needs it. Water backup is usually inexpensive for the protection it adds, which makes it an easy gap to close once you know to look for it. Backup is only one kind of water problem. Slow leaks, hidden water damage, seepage, and mold are handled very differently, and are covered in the next chapter.
Questions to ask your advisor
- Does this quote include water backup coverage, and at what limit?
- Is sump pump overflow part of that endorsement?
- Is there a separate deductible for a water backup claim?
- Is the limit enough to address the finished space and belongings on my lowest level?
- How is flood handled separately if my home needs it?
Want guidance first? Compare your coverage. Already know what you need? Get a quote.
Continue the series
You are reading part 9 of How to Compare Homeowners Insurance Quotes Without Getting Burned.
Previous: Loss of Use Coverage: Where Would You Live After a Claim?