Asking homeowners to list the situations they would prefer to not have to deal with at their home would rank a sump pump problem right below a fire.
It can be a catastrophe. It is common for water to back up into your home when a sump pumps fails. Sometimes, it can even bring all sorts of water-borne material with it. Water backups can cause costly damage. To avoid more damage, homeowners must quickly organize for cleanup and repairs.
All of this may be enough to make water backup coverage worthwhile, but here are four more.
It is not covered by standard homeowners insurance policies.
Are you unsure if your home insurance policy covers water backup? Give your independent agent a call.
Water backup coverage can be an optional endorsement and must be added to a homeowners, condo, or renters insurance policy. The endorsement will cover the costs of cleaning up after a sump pump, sump pump, or other similar equipment.
It is quite affordable
The cost of water backup or sewer coverage can range from $50 to $250 per year, depending on the risk you are taking and the limits that you choose.
There are different limits that can be used to meet people’s needs. Consider what is in your basement. It’s a place that is more susceptible to flooding during a water backup. Is it finished or partially completed? Are you using your basement as a storage space for costly or difficult-to-replace goods? Talk to your agent about the best limit for you.
Anyone can experience water backups
There are many misconceptions about who is more likely to experience a water backup situation. It doesn’t matter where you live, whether you have a basement or not, and even if you have never experienced a water backup. This type of loss can happen to anyone.
If your home is unsafe or uninhabitable, you are eligible for Loss-of-Use coverage
A sump pump failure will not render your home unsafe. In other words, you can still live in your home while the sump pump is being repaired or cleaned. In the rare event that your home is uninhabitable due to a sump pump failure, you would be eligible for loss of use coverage.
This could be the case if your furnace has a water backup and it is 30 degrees outside, and your home can’t be heated.
Loss of use coverage covers living expenses beyond what a person would normally spend on daily living, and loss of rent if necessary. If your home is damaged by water, your claims adjuster will approve you for Loss-of-Use coverage. The cost of your hotel room would also be covered.
Also view: What to know About Rental Car Coverage
How to prevent water backups
Here are some tips to avoid water backups:
Do not pour cooking oil or grease down the drains
Toilet tissue should only be flushed in the toilets. don’t flush paper towels, feminine products, etc. .
To prevent tree roots entering your line, you might replace it with plastic pipe.
To ensure that your sump pump is working properly, consult a professional sump pump technician, usually a plumber.
To prevent sewer backups, install a backwater prevention valve. In fact, most new homes have this installed.
You can either buy a battery backup or a water-powered backup sump to keep the pump running in case of power failure.
