What to do right now
- Stay out of the water. Sewage carries bacteria. Keep kids and pets away, and wear boots and gloves if you have to go near it.
- Stop using water. Don't flush, run sinks, showers, the dishwasher or the washer. Everything you send down the drain can come back up.
- Turn off power to the area if it's safe. If water is near outlets or appliances, shut those breakers off without standing in water.
- Photograph and video everything. The drain, the water line on walls and every damaged item.
- Call a plumber about the blockage. Ask them to write down the cause, like a tree root or a city line backup. That matters for the claim.
- Get professional cleanup. Sewage water is treated as contaminated. Wet drywall, carpet and pad usually have to come out, not just be dried.
- Report the claim. Even if you're not sure you have backup coverage, report it and let the insurer tell you in writing.
Is it covered?
A standard homeowners policy usually excludes water that backs up through sewers or drains. Coverage normally comes from a separate water backup endorsement, an add-on many people have without realizing it. Check your declarations page.
If you have the endorsement
- It usually pays for cleanup and repairs up to its own limit, often $5,000 to $25,000.
- That limit may be lower than the total damage in a finished basement.
- Your deductible still applies.
Other places coverage can come from
- The city. If a city main backed up into your home, some cities accept claims. There are usually short deadlines.
- Flood insurance. If the backup was caused by flooding outside, a flood policy may respond instead.
What the adjuster will look at
The cause matters most: a blocked line on your property, a city main, or flooding outside. Get the plumber's findings in writing. Photos of the water line on the walls show how high the water rose.
Why cleanup costs more than a clean-water leak
Sewage is contaminated water. Porous materials it touched, like carpet, pad and the bottom of drywall, are usually removed and thrown out, and the area is cleaned and treated before drying. That's normal, and it's why these claims are bigger than they look.
Common questions
Does homeowners insurance cover sewer backup?
Usually not, unless you added a water backup endorsement. Check your declarations page for it.
How much does a water backup endorsement pay?
It depends on the limit you bought. Common limits run from $5,000 to $25,000.
Can I clean up sewage myself?
It isn't recommended. Sewage carries bacteria, and contaminated materials need to be removed and disposed of properly.