Is a broken sewer line covered by homeowners insurance

A broken sewer line can cause considerable headaches and disruption to your life. When your sewer line fails, one of the first questions you will have is whether your homeowners insurance policy covers it. This plumbing emergency is not covered in many cases, so you will have to pay for the repairs or replacement out of pocket. While there are instances in which coverage may apply, we strongly recommend that homeowners concerned about their sewer line condition take proactive steps to prevent a failure and secure the required coverage should a failure occur.

Do you have questions about sewer line coverage within your homeowners insurance policy? We’re happy to answer your questions!

Contact our certified plumbing professionals at Mattioni Plumbing, Heating & Cooling by calling 610-400-8510.

“Other Structure” 

This provision is inserted in most homeowners insurance policies, including the sewer line on your property, for example, from the curb or easement to your home. Suppose the sewer line is damaged by factors outside your control, such as sidewalk work performed by a city agency or HOA. In that case, it is typically covered and subject to your policy’s deductible. However, be prepared for the insurer to shift liability and financial responsibility to the city’s or HOA’s insurance provider.

Coverage is usually limited to around 10% of your home’s insured value. So, if your home’s insured value is $200,000, then you can expect a maximum coverage of around $20,000. Again, this depends on your policy, but coverage is sufficient to cover any required sewer line repairs or replacements in most cases.

When Damage Is Almost Surely Not Covered

Sewer line backups and damage caused by the homeowner are almost always excluded from coverage. If you dig in the yard and damage the sewer line or cause other damage that degrades or ruptures the pipes, the claim will be denied.

Further, most insurers consider physical damage to your sewer pipes to poor maintenance, faulty construction, or avoidable errors, such as not flushing baby wipes, diapers, etc., that could damage the pipe. Additionally, most policies will exclude coverage for damage caused by natural disasters (floods, earthquakes, etc.), insects, rodents, and tree roots. Finally, when it comes to sewage backups, almost all policies specifically state that this is not covered.

Riders Are an Investment in Protection

Depending on your home, a sewer line backup rider can cost anywhere from $50 to $200 a year and provide anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 or more in coverage. We strongly recommend securing this coverage as it is a tiny investment that can easily pay for itself if your sewer line ruptures.

Preventing Sewer Line Problems

As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” So, in addition to securing a sewer line rider, we recommend homeowners in Pennsylvania invest in preventative sewer line maintenance. Regular inspections and comprehensive cleanings every 18 to 24 months can keep your pipes in pristine condition.

We can perform video camera inspections, hydro jetting, and other services that will keep your sewer lines stable and secure. We will also provide the thorough documentation required to establish you have contracted professional assistance from qualified sewer line professionals to perform all reasonable maintenance and care to preserve your sewer lines. Our family-owned and -operated company is proud to offer same-day service you can depend on!

Contact Mattioni Plumbing, Heating & Cooling at 610-400-8510 to schedule sewer line services in Downingtown, PA, and surrounding communities. 

Sewer line replacement is covered by standard home insurance policies as part of other structures coverage, which protects structures such as sheds, garages and detached carports that do not have separate insurance. Sewer line damage falls under dwelling coverage, but it may have a limit of 10% of your home’s insured value. It depends on your policy’s details.

Most homeowners policies include coverage for damage to the sewer line due to fire, lightning, hail or windstorms, explosions, vehicles or aircraft, falling objects and vandalism.

The important thing to note is that your policy only covers damage caused to a sewer line if it was from a specific event (such as listed above), and the damaged pipes must be on your property line.

You can also often get coverage for sewer backup, water lines, sump pumps, etc., up to a certain limit by purchasing the appropriate endorsement in addition to standard coverage.

When Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Sewer Line Replacement?

Homeowners insurance covers damage to a sewer line if it is caused by an external event, such as an explosion, vandalism, fire, falling objects or windstorm. Below are examples of acts caused by perils a standard home insurance policy usually covers if they compromise the sewer line.

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• If there is a riot in your neighborhood and vandals set a fire in your yard, the damage to your sewer line is covered by your standard home insurance policy.
• A standard home insurance policy covers up to the applicable limit if a falling tree damages your sewer line.
• You have coverage if the damage to your sewer line is from a vehicle crash on your property.

You can file a claim if your sewer line is damaged by an "act of God" or the act of another person. And homeowners insurance covers sewer line replacement when the damage is due to an aircraft or explosion. You should also have coverage if sewer line damage is caused by sudden and accidental tearing, cracking, burning, breaking or falling heavy objects.

But what about damage from natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes or hurricanes? This can be tricky because policies vary widely on coverage for sewer line damages during these events. If you live in an area prone to flooding, you may want to get flood insurance specifically for your home's plumbing system; most home insurance policies don't include flood coverage. Also, sewer line replacement won’t happen via your insurance if an earthquake is the cause. You may get coverage with a separate earthquake insurance policy.

When Doesn’t Homeowners Insurance Cover Sewer Line Replacement?

When it comes to sewer line replacement, you are most likely responsible for paying the costs if you don't have an endorsement because the most common causes of sewer line damage are not covered perils. Whether or not your policy covers sewer line replacement depends on the cause of the damage.

So, if you're wondering whether or not homeowners insurance covers sewer line replacement, a few things could prevent coverage from being provided. For example, policies won't cover sewage backups or line replacement damage caused by a tree root or wear and tear; others may exclude damage from natural disasters like floods. It is essential to have endorsement coverage for sewer line replacement to guarantee protection.

How to Prevent Sewer Line Replacement

Although homeowners insurance provides compensation for damage to your home and possessions in case of a covered peril, preventing damage is always better than repairing it. Plus, it won’t cover a sewer line replacement because you failed to maintain the line. To prevent sewer line breakage, avoid using harsh chemicals around your pipes. Be sure that if you are having work done on your home, you hire a professional plumber that is licensed and insured.

Reasons to Get Coverage for Sewer Line Replacement

• Taking precautions ahead of time — such as checking your water pressure once per month — you can catch potential problems early on and get them fixed before they become costly disasters.

• Don’t use harsh chemicals in your pipes. You should avoid using caustic drain cleaners or other chemical drain cleaners. These products may contain ingredients that could eat away at your pipes over time, leading to failure of crucial parts and an increased likelihood of flooding. Make sure any chemical drain cleaner you do use is approved by an independent organization such as NSF International.

• If you have older metal piping in your house, consider replacing it with PVC piping.

• Tree roots growing into your sewer pipes cause blockages and cracks, leading to expensive repairs down the road. To prevent these issues, periodically have a landscaper inspect your yard for trees close enough to your sewer line that their root systems might pose a problem.

• Always make sure your plumbing fixtures are connected to working drains. Having just one fixture with a clog or leak will end up costing you money when you need to call out professionals to fix it, so don’t neglect anything even if you think it isn’t important.

Where to Buy Homeowners Insurance

Insurers like State Farm, Progressive, GEICO and Farmers are among the most popular home insurance providers, but smaller firms like Lemonade and Hippo also provide coverage. To get the best price for your home insurance, you can shop around and compare quotes from several carriers.

The average monthly cost of homeowners insurance in the United States is $175. Keep in mind that you may pay a higher rate if you have a high-value home or add endorsements, such as to protect the sewer line. Use MoneyGeek's personal property calculator to estimate how much insurance may cost for you.

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