4 Reasons To Add Water Backup Coverage

People who asked what kind of situations they hoped to never have to deal with at home would likely name a sump pump failure just after a fire.

Why?

Usually, if a sump pump doesn't work, it results in systemic flooding, which brings bacteria, other harmful organisms, along with soil into homes. This can cause substantial property loss, so it's vital to have damage response plans to quickly safeguard your home. Be prepared to act well in advance.

While all that is likely to be a good reason to have a closer look at water backup insurance coverage, here are four more reasons why.

Reason #1: It’s not included in a standard homeowners insurance policy.

Does your home insurance policy cover water damage? Then now is a good time to get in touch with your independent insurance agent.

an endorsement that may need to be attached to an insurance plan is an optional insurance coverage that entails coverage for conditions triggered by a malfunctioning sump, sump pump, or similar device that is not considered to be a plumbing system or home appliance.

Reason #2: It’s fairly inexpensive.

The cost will vary based on your situation and the coverage limits you choose. The average yearly cost of water backup and sewer backup insurance is often between $50 and $250.

There are different limits of coverage to suit the needs of different people. For example, think about what is in the basement. Is this an area more likely to flood if triggered by awater backup? Is it finished or unfinished? Or is it a place where you store valuable or hard-to-find items? Work with your insurance agent to select a corresponding policy limit to match your unique coverage needs.

Reason #3: Water backups can happen to anyone.

There are a lot of misconceptions about who is most likely to suffer from a water backup problem. And it's true that it doesn't matter if you live uphill, if you don't have a basement, if your home has never had a water backup problem before or if you've already got flood insurance (which is a different type of insurance coverage). Everyone has the potential to expience this.

Reason #4: It qualifies you for Loss of Use coverage if your home is uninhabitable.

It's possible for your sump pump failure not to make your home unlivable in other words, you could still live in your house while it was being cleaned and repaired, in most cases. But in rare instances this could happen, and in that case, having coverage that would qualify for you to receive a loss of use coverage for this is a rare case.

For example, this may apply if your furnace is damaged as a result of a flood, it is 30 degrees outside, and you cannot heat your home.

Loss of Use coverage allows you to cover additional living expenses that go beyond your normal living expenses in case of a loss, such as being unable to live in your home as a result of a water backup. If your insurer agrees to your Loss of Use request, your alternative living expenses would be covered.

How to best prevent water backups

To avoid a major headache in the future, plan ahead by installing a few flood prevention techniques:

• Don't pour cooking oil or grease down your drains.
• Only flush toilet tissue in your toilets (i.e. do not flush paper towels, feminine products, etc.).
• Replace your water supply line by using plastic tubing to prevent tree roots from entering it.
• Visit a sump pump repairman, as a general plumbing contractor, to find and fix any existing system problems.
• Install a bypass valve to prevent sewer overflows in new residence constructions.
• Buy a battery backup for your sump pump, or invest in a backup sump pump that operates with water pressure.