Standard homeowners policies commonly exclude damage from water that backs up through sewers or drains. Many insurers offer an endorsement, sometimes called water backup and sump discharge or overflow coverage, that adds it back for an extra premium, usually with its own limit. The limit is often much smaller than the dwelling coverage and may not stretch far once a finished lower level needs carpet, drywall, cleanup and contents replaced.
Thornton has a lot of homes with finished basements and bi-level lower floors, which makes the size of that limit worth checking. A quick call with the questions below, and a note of the answers, gives you something concrete to compare across renewals.
Questions to ask
Ask for the answers in writing or by email if possible.
- Does my current policy include any sewer or drain backup coverage, and what is it called on my declarations page?
- What is the limit for backup, and is it per occurrence or per year?
- Is there a separate deductible for backup claims?
- Does the backup limit include cleanup, removal and drying, or only repairs?
- Are my belongings in the basement covered under the same limit or separately?
- Is sump pump failure or overflow included?
- Does the policy cover a backup caused by a blocked public main, or only by my own line?
- Would adding a backwater valve change eligibility or premium?
- Does the policy pay for the cost of finding and repairing the cause in the sewer line itself?
- What does the policy say about mold that develops after a backup?
Write the answers here
| Topic | Answer from agent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Backup coverage included | ||
| Backup limit | ||
| Deductible | ||
| Cleanup and drying included | ||
| Contents in basement | ||
| Public main cause | ||
| Line repair itself |
After the call
- Save the agent's email or your call notes with the date
- Download the current declarations page and endorsement form
- Put the policy number and claim phone line somewhere you can find in a hurry
- Set a reminder to recheck at each renewal
- Recheck after finishing a basement, adding a lower bathroom or buying expensive items stored downstairs
- If you rent, ask your renters insurer the same questions about your belongings
General information for Thornton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.