Have you been a homeowner for at least ten years?
If yes, then it is highly likely that you have experienced some issues with your sewer lines!
Even though the plumbing in your home is designed to withstand frequent use, it may need repair.
The sewer lines running from your place into the ground are susceptible to leakage or breakage. If you’re fortunate – and catch the problem in time – you may not have to pay much for repair. However, more severe problems and tricky physical locations of the break can result in thousands of dollars literally down the drain!
Now you may scoff at this and think that your insurance will take care of it.
Will it, though?
Because, in most cases, the inspector will think your claim doesn’t have a leg to stand on. So, you’d better brush up on these details before you need them:
When Should You File A Claim?
For homeowners, there may be certain circumstances under which their filed claim will have some merit.
Covering the cost of lateral sewer work will be possible under two main reasons:
- Should your sewer pipe be broken by an act of God? Those include a tree from nearby breaking off and falling on the pipe, thus breaking it.
- When a tenant pours down concrete by accident and blocks the line, making it unsalvageable.
Moreover, just as roofing insurance won’t cover hail damage, your sewer line insurance won’t be enough for incidents like earthquakes, floods, and fires. You’ll need to strengthen garden-variety coverage with separate or added insurance to get paid for the damage these events can cause!
When Would It Be Useless To File A Claim?
Most of the time, you can say goodbye to the idea of your homeowners’ insurance covering you for damage to a broken sewer pipe. That’s because the company will tell you the wreckage occurred through preventable means.
For instance, if poor upkeep or faulty construction is to blame, there’s no use of filing a claim. Likewise, should pests, such as termites, be gnawing on your sewer pipe, you will be paying for those damages!
Another situation where your homeowners’ insurance policies will mean nothing is when sewage backup is the culprit. What’s more, anything on your property that faces destruction at the hands of the overflowing water or raw sewage won’t be eligible for replacement or repair, either.
Should I Get Sewer Line Replacement Insurance Coverage Then?
Sewer Repair and whether it will come under coverage or not depends on what caused it. Knowing these facts will help matters along:
- You are more likely to qualify for insurance with a damaged sewer line than a clogged one. Of course, we assume here that mold and regular wear weren’t the causes of damage when we say this.
- Your homeowner’s insurance is more likely to bail you out with a damaged sewer line if it occurred because of poor workmanship.
- Only when the cost crosses the deductible line will your policy kick in to cover sewer line damage. With higher deductibles, you may expect to pay for repairs yourself. In most cases, though, the cost of repairs matches the deductible.
- When you are getting a sewer line repaired, your house may see additional damage. For instance, the broken line may become clogged due to the accumulation of dirt, root, and debris. In that case, the sewage will back up into your home — the danger this pose doesn’t just include property damage but also health hazards. For the former, you may be in for water damage that transforms into structural damage, as well.
Keep in mind that almost all policies do not cover this wreckage type – at least, not without additional coverage. You may have to look into purchasing add-ons, such as sewer and drain backup endorsements.
Is There Any Way To Protect My Home From Financial Risks?
Sure! Just as you are choosing which policy and coverage to get, think about your needs. You may not be able to plan for every outcome. Even so, you can spend a few days considering your needs as a homeowner.
Moreover, here’s your reminder that all policies do not come in just one shape. Some will count mold damage from plumbing leaks as coverable while others won’t. If your sewer pipeline is likely to come under mold attack, choose a policy curated to pay for it.
Most importantly, though, focus not just on repairs. Instead, aim for prevention. In that vein, get the plumbing into your home inspected every few months. Even a brief session like that will alert you to any significant plumbing system dysfunctions. You will know if a pipe is about to fall to corrosion. You will also know if any valves are faulty. Fixing these problems prior to the point they become major issues is always better.
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