Does Home Insurance Cover the Main Sewer Line?

Home insurance is designed to protect your dwelling and personal belongings from a wide range of unexpected perils, such as fire, theft, and certain types of weather damage. Homeowners typically purchase this coverage to safeguard their investment and provide financial security. However, questions often arise regarding specific components of a home’s infrastructure, particularly underground lines like the main sewer line. Understanding what standard policies cover, and what they do not, is an important part of homeownership.

Standard Home Insurance and Sewer Lines

Many homeowners believe their standard policy covers all main sewer line damage. Standard homeowner insurance policies generally do not cover the repair or replacement of the main sewer line itself, especially if the damage occurs outside the home’s foundation or is due to gradual issues. This exclusion applies to problems arising from wear and tear, corrosion, aging pipes, or tree root intrusion, which are frequent causes of sewer line damage. These issues are considered maintenance-related or gradual deterioration, and are typically not covered by standard peril-based policies.

While the sewer line itself is excluded, this differs from damage caused by a sewer backup inside the home. Standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover water or sewage backups into the home. However, homeowners can add a “Sewer and Drain Backup” or “Water Backup and Sump Overflow” endorsement to their policy. This endorsement covers the financial consequences of a backup, such as damage to flooring, furniture, personal property, and cleanup costs. It covers damage from the backup, not the repair of the sewer line that caused the backup.

Options for Sewer Line Protection

Since standard home insurance policies often exclude direct damage to the main sewer line, homeowners have specific options for protection. One solution is adding a “Service Line Coverage” or “Utility Line Coverage” endorsement to their existing policy. These endorsements cover the costs of repairing or replacing damaged utility lines from the street to the home, including sewer, water, electrical, and communication lines. Coverage includes excavation, repair or replacement, and restoration of disturbed landscaping.

These endorsements cover a broader range of perils than standard policies for service lines, including damage from tree root intrusion, wear and tear, freezing, collapse, rust, corrosion, and accidental excavation damage. Coverage limits for service line endorsements range from $10,000 to $20,000 per occurrence, with a deductible, and add an annual premium of $20 to $50. This specialized coverage fills a gap left by standard policies, which only cover sewer line damage if caused by a sudden peril like fire or vandalism.

Beyond insurance endorsements, some utility companies or third-party providers offer separate service line protection plans. These plans operate similarly to warranties, covering repairs or replacements of utility lines for a monthly or annual fee, ranging from $4 to $15 per month. While these plans can be an alternative, homeowners should carefully review the terms, coverage limits ($4,000 to $9,000 for sewer lines), deductibles, and exclusions, as they are not regulated by insurance commissions. These options help manage financial risk from potential sewer line issues.

Reviewing Your Insurance Policy

To understand your specific sewer line coverage, review your homeowner’s insurance policy documents. Pay close attention to “Exclusions,” which list what is not covered, and “Endorsements” or “Additional Coverages,” where specific protections like service line coverage or water backup endorsements are listed. Understanding these sections clarifies your existing protection.

Contact your insurance agent or provider directly to ascertain your coverage and explore options. They can explain your policy’s limits, deductibles, and specific conditions for sewer line or backup coverage. When discussing coverage, share details about your property, such as its age or mature trees, as these factors influence the likelihood of sewer line issues and coverage suitability. Understanding your policy helps prepare for potential expenses.