With all the severe flooding and storms, we’ve seen across the country this summer, I wanted to share the importance and difference between flood insurance and the homeowner’s insurance endorsement for Backup sewer and drainage.
As you may know, flood insurance is typically a separate policy from your homeowner’s insurance — and it’s something worth considering, even if you’re not in a designated flood zone.
A homeowners insurance endorsement for “Backup Sewer and Drainage” covers damage to your home and belongings resulting from water that backs up or overflows from sewers, drains, and sump pumps.
Specifically, this endorsement typically covers:
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Damage to the structure of your home: This includes walls, floors, ceilings, and other parts of the building that are damaged by the backed-up water or sewage.
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Damage to personal belongings: This encompasses furniture, electronics, clothing, and other personal items affected by the water backup.
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Cleanup and mitigation costs: The endorsement helps cover expenses related to removing the water, drying out the affected areas, preventing mold growth, and removing any damaged materials.
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Loss of use coverage: If the damage makes your home uninhabitable, this coverage may reimburse you for additional living expenses, such as the cost of staying in a hotel and meals, while your home is being repaired.
What is typically not covered
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Flood damage: Water backup coverage does not cover damage caused by flooding from natural sources that enters your home from outside (e.g., through windows or cracks in the foundation). For this type of damage, you need a separate flood insurance policy.
FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides coverage for damage caused by flooding events such as heavy rains, storm surges, or overflowing bodies of water. It typically helps cover the cost of repairing or replacing your home’s structure as well as personal belongings for flood related events.
This can include:
· flooring
· walls
· appliances
· furniture
If you’re curious about how flood insurance can fit into your current coverage or want to explore your options for better protection, don’t hesitate to reach out. Merit Insurance Group would be happy to help you understand your risk and find the right coverage for your needs.
Call us at 708-845-5466 or visit our website at www.meritinsurancegroup.com
