What is water back up and sump pump failure insurance?

There is a type of endorsement to a standard homeowner's insurance policy called water back up and sump pump failure coverage. When this type of endorsement is active, it provides for coverage of property damage caused by water that has managed to back up and into the home from pipes, sewer systems, drains, sump pumps, water-service, or any additional system that transfers fluids to and from the house. It's important for homeowners to understand that water backup and sump pump failure coverage is not automatically included with their standard homeowner's insurance policy but must be purchased at a separate cost.

Who Needs This Coverage?

Any homeowner whose house includes a basement that could be affected by any degree of water damage should consider water back up and sump pump failure insurance a very smart investment. It doesn't take a large amount of water, especially waste water, to create thousands of dollars worth of serious damage to a home. Individuals who live in urban, rural or suburban areas where the public water system infrastructure is old or aging, which is in most areas of the United States, should invest in water back up and sump pump failure insurance. The departments of most city governments will not take financial responsibility for the damage a water or sewer back up that occurs because of broken water or sewer lines does to any homes within their jurisdiction. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to add this special type of insurance coverage to their existing homeowners insurance policy in order to avoid a financial catastrophe due to unanticipated water or sewer damage.

How Much Coverage?

The amount of coverage included in water back up and sump pump failure insurance varies, but usually is capped around $25,000. A policy with coverage in the $10,000 range is usually the minimum recommended amount and relatively inexpensive to purchase. It's a good idea for homeowners to take inventory of the cost of replacing everything in their basement, including furnishings, flooring, carpeting and special amenities such as electronics, should a water or sewer catastrophe occur. Then speak with a reputable insurance agent to determine the amount of coverage that best matches that assessment.

Sump Pump Maintenance

Once water back up and sump pump failure insurance coverage is in place, it is still the responsibility of the homeowner to keep their sump pump in good working order. If a sump pump is inspected after a water damage claim has been filed and it's found that neglect caused its failure, it's more than likely the insurance claim will be denied. But keeping a sump pump in optimum working order, and investing in water back up and sump pump failure insurance, is the most proactive way to avoid getting stuck with paying unexpected bills should the basement of a house suffer any type of water or sewage seepage or flooding due to a system breakdown.