Do most standard home owners insurances cover sewer line breaks (not sewage backups)?

Question

I see a plethora of information out there, even in my own policy, that makes it clear that sewage backups are usually not covered. However, I do not have a backup. I have a sewer line under my basement slab that is broken - most likely due to age and shifting. The plumbers are still tearing up my house to fix it, so I am not ready to file the claim yet.

My plumber told me that since it is not a sewage backup and the pipe is actually broken, they will cover the costs to dig down and get to it and to cover it back up, but not the parts for the pipe. He said this is usually the case in his experience and he's been in the business for 45 years. I want to believe him, but I'm afraid I could be stuck with a $8k bill.

Answer 1

OK, there's an ENDORSEMENT on the homeowners policy that CAN cover sewage backups.

HOWEVER. Don't take insurance advice from your plumber. There are SEVERAL FACTORS you need to know about:

1. each state has their own approved forms. My policy in texas, for example does NOT cover digging through the slab to get to the pipes. My OLD policy in PA, DID cover digging through the slab to get to the pipes. So, I DON"T KNOW. You'll have to ask your agent.

2. Any digging OUTSIDE the house is NOT covered. No way, no how. Not for tree roots, not for settling. And that's usually where there's another $5,000 of cost.

3. Any digging through the DRIVEWAY is not covered, either.

So maybe the damage to your basement floor will be covered. But likely that's not the only place they'll be digging. You'll have to call your own agent and ask.

Answer 2

This is a hard one to answer. We'd really need to see the language in your policy. Also, some insurance companies are more liberal in their interpretation of the policy language than others.

In general, wear and tear is not covered. However, if a pipe brakes - most policies will not pay to repair the brake- but may pay for access to the break and any resulting damage. This is what your plumber is talking about.

I've seen situations where an adjuster was called into look at a broken pipe in the wall. It had been leaking a while and resulted in extensive damage. Although the policy does not cover damage that happens over a period of weeks/months/years. Adjuster was able to make the argument that the first time the pipe leaked it caused some minor damage and adjuster was able to pay for access and minor repairs less deductible. Granted it was a fraction of the total repair cost - but a little something is better than nothing.

The only way to know for sure is to turn the claim in. Expect that the insurance company will probably not foot the entire repair bill. Throw it up - something may stick.

You will need to turn the claim in before the plumber does any repairs. The insurance company has a right to inspect the damage - so you can't get it repaired and then turn the claim in and present a bill.

Answer 3

Your plumber should stick with giving advice about what he knows about: plumbing! because he knows nothing about insurance.
First off we'll assume the sewer line belongs to you (septic system), or the municipality has designated that you are responsible for it because of where it is located. First let's determine if the peril that caused the damage is covered. You stated the damage was caused "...most likely due to age and shifting." Wear and tear is always excluded under any property policy. If it wasn't then no one would do any maintenance on their home as they would just let the insurer pay for items as they get old. So that peril is excluded. Let's look at the other cause: shifting. Damage caused by settling, expansion, contraction, moving, bulging, buckling or cracking is excluded under any property policy. There are two reasons for this: 1. All buildings settle to some degree, and 2. It is impossible to calculate the potential damages from this event. If an insurer cannot estimate what the potential loss is from a peril, they will tend to exclude it. This is why Earthquake is a standard exclusion. The damage from an Earthquake can vary from nothing to California sinking into the ocean. An insurer could not reasonably estimate what the average loss from this peril would be, so they could not charge an appropriate premium to cover these future potential losses.
So in conclusion this loss would not be covered.

Answer 4

I know exactly what you are talking about as I had the same thing happen at my house. If there is any way that it is something that would be covered under the policy there is coverage. But, with sewer pipes the thing that happens is age and shifting (mine was so old it crumbled when the contractor got to it). There would be no coverage if it is age or shifting. This would be a maintenance situation which is never covered under a homeowners policy

Answer 5

Repairs to a house are not covered under a homeowners policy. Unless the line was broken by a covered risk you have no coverage.

Typically excluded items: earth movement, settling, faulty material, faulty workmanship, tree roots, old age & wear and tear, insect & vermin damage.

So unless the proximate cause was something covered: fire, wind, falling objects, vehicle damage, building collapse, you have no coverage.

If you call the insurance company claims center, they will log your call and start the count on number of claims in the past 5 years. Chances are 2 claims in three years will trigger a cancelation even if 0 dollars are paid on one claim. So you may want to hypothetically discuss this claim with YOUR AGENT. Good luck.

Answer 6

Sewage backups and sewer backups are the SAME THING, and they are on the SAME LINE.

It is NOT included standard.

You are going to have to pay for that repair out of pocket. If you think an insurance adjuster cannot spot recent work to a house, think again...they are TRAINED to spot things like new pipes, new concrete, etc.

If that is what you are trying to do, get the insurance and then file the claim, that is insurance fraud.

Answer 7

Normally it's NOT covered by homeowner's insurance. There is a possible workaround IF your state requires mold remediation coverage AND if you had a mold issue related to the line collapse. I had that situation in TX a number of years ago and they wound up paying the whole thing. If I had not had the mold problem caused by the sewage backing up into the house it would not have been covered.

Answer 8

No insurance. That falls under wear and tear, or maintenance and repairs.

If a condition like broken water line causes damage, the damage is covered, but not the repairs.

Answer 9

I think hes trying to see if insurance will help pay for a repair on broken sewer lines.....not a backup of any name....

I can only say ask your insurance company. i don't know a lot about home owners insurance so i can't be of much help.

Answer 10

I might suggest you to try this internet site where onel can get rates from different companies: http://insurecheap.us/index.html?src=5YAcVAsgY99axx1

RE :Do most standard home owners insurances cover sewer line breaks (not sewage backups)?
I see a plethora of information out there, even in my own policy, that makes it clear that sewage backups are usually not covered. However, I do not have a backup. I have a sewer line under my basement slab that is broken - most likely due to age and shifting. The plumbers are still tearing up my house to fix it, so I am not ready to file the claim yet.
Update: My plumber told me that since it is not a sewage backup and the pipe is actually broken, they will cover the costs to dig down and get to it and to cover it back up, but not the parts for the pipe. He said this is usually the case in his experience and he's been in the business for 45 years. I want to believe him, but I'm afraid I could be stuck with a $8k bill.
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