DOES YOUR HOME INSURANCE POLICY INCLUDE COVERAGE AGAINST SEWER BACKUPS ?
A sewer backup upstairs? It can happen.
Many people mistakenly think that their home is high enough not to be affected by a sewer backup. Although rare, sewer backups can actually occur in plumbing fixtures located on upper floors. Standard insurance policies don’t cover damage caused by sewer backups, but most insurers offer optional coverage options at a relatively low premium. So why take the risk?
Sewer backups and water damage to upper floors
Backups can occur even on upper floors. During a backup caused by the saturation of municipal pipes or an overflow caused by a blocked pipe, contaminated water can flow up the vertical sewage pipe that passes through the walls of the building’s upper floors and connects to the sewers, and spill out through a sink or toilet. Also, if this central pipe were to break, water would seep into the walls, causing significant damage to various parts of the building.**
Inexpensive endorsements to protect you against the risks associated with water damage and sewer backups
Your broker at J. Gérard Fortin et Associés Inc. can provide you with detailed information on the coverage options that are available to you for sewer backups and water damage.
Coverage options (endorsements):*
The Water Damage – Ground Water and Sewers endorsement covers:
- Water from leaks, overflows or backups from French drains or sewers
- Groundwater or surface water that enters or seeps into the building, such as from melting snow
The Water Damage – Ground Water, Sewers and Overflow of a Body of Water endorsement covers:
- Damage caused by water from the overflow of a river
- Also includes coverage for sewer backups
The Water Damage - Above Ground Water endorsement covers:
- Water leaking through the roof, walls, doors or windows
Important information about sewer backups and water damage
Water damage represents about half of home insurance claims in Quebec—even more than claims for fire and theft. Several factors can contribute to a sewer backup, including aging sewer systems, excessive precipitation or snowmelt, broken or root-clogged sewer lines, blockages in city sewers, internal building plumbing problems, and malfunctioning sump pumps. We also invite you to consult the information produced by the IBC and infoassurance.ca:
Water damage coverage at a glance
* Some limitations and exclusions apply
* Source: Chambre de l'assurance de dommages website
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