Last Updated May 2025

Water backup coverage helps cover the costs of damage caused when a sewer backs up into your home or a sump pump fails or overflows. It can cover both your home (floors, walls, cabinets, etc.) and the things in it (washer/dryer, furnace, carpeting, furniture) if they’re damaged or destroyed.

Does homeowners insurance include water backup coverage?

No, damage caused by dirty water backing up into your house from a sewer line or sump pump is not usually covered by a standard homeowner policy. Dwelling and personal property coverage in a typical homeowners policy covers only sudden, accidental water damage — from something like a frozen pipe or dishwasher leak.

But you can add optional water backup coverage to your home insurance policy. This coverage can help pay for damage to your home and your personal property if your city’s sewer line backs up in a storm and sends sewage in through your home’s plumbing or drains. Other covered causes include a sump pump overflow.

Is a toilet backup covered by homeowners insurance?

A toilet overflow can be covered by homeowners insurance if it’s caused by a clogged pipe inside your house or by a fixture failure — unless poor maintenance is the culprit. If your child stuffs a toy down the toilet and flushes, you’re typically covered. But if your toilet overflows because of a sewer backup, damage is not typically covered unless you have water backup coverage.

Is a septic system backup covered by homeowners insurance? 

A septic system backup may be covered by homeowners insurance if it’s caused by damage from a covered event — say, lightning or a fire. But a septic system backup caused by things like tree roots or improperly flushed items generally aren’t covered by standard home insurance. Water backup coverage, however, can cover it.

I’m a renter. Can I get water backup coverage?

Yes, you can add water backup coverage to your renters insurance. If your furniture or other belongs are damaged because a sewer backs up into your unit, water backup coverage can help pay for repair or replacement. A standard renters policy usually doesn’t include water backup coverage.

Why do I need water backup coverage? 

A sewer backup can cause thousands of dollars in damage to floors, electrical systems, walls, furniture and other belongings, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). And sewer backups are affecting about 3% more homes every year, according to the Civil Engineering Research Foundation.

Water backup problems are an everyday occurrence because their causes are common. 

• Tree roots can grow into sewer pipes and cause blockages and breaks, especially in older homes with clay pipes. 
• Blockages are routinely caused by grease, hair, diapers, wipes or other solid materials.  
• Aging sewer systems. The nation's 500,000-plus miles of sewer lines are on average over 30 years old, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. Also, more and more homes are being connected to these aging sewer systems, raising the frequency of backups.  
• Sewer main backup. Your city or town’s main sewer line can also clog over time (search “fatberg” online to read about extreme examples) and back sewage up into your home through your drainage pipes.  

You may want to think about water backup coverage if: 

• Your sewer lateral is older and made of clay 
• You have a sump pump  
• You have a basement, especially one that’s finished 
• You live in an older home with older pipes 
• Your town or city has aging sewer mains 
• Your home sits lower than other homes in your neighborhood, like at the bottom of a hill

Water backup coverage can help you safeguard your finances by paying costs related to damage: cleaning and drying out your home (average drying time: 3.5 days), repairing or replacing permanent appliances like the furnace or hot water heater, ripping out and replacing wet drywall and ruined flooring and carpeting and salvaging or replacing furniture and other property.

What does water backup coverage include?

Generally, water backup coverage can help with the cost of repairing damage both to your home itself and to your personal property if it’s caused by:

• Sewer backups
• Sump pump overflows
• Toilet overflows if caused by a clogged drain
• Failure of any system that removes sub-surface water from the foundation

What does water backup coverage not cover? 

• Flooding, but separate flood insurance may be available. 
• Water damage caused by wear and tear or improperly maintained pipes and plumbing. Installing a leak detection system can help with prevention. 
• Cost of repairing or replacing a broken sewer lateral or malfunctioning sump pump. 
• Damage from surface or sub-surface water that seeps in, for example during a big rainstorm.

How you can help prevent water backup

You can reduce potential water backup issues by keeping your home’s drain lines clear with a few simple steps.

• Dispose of kitchen grease properly — in a container in the trash, not down the drain.
• Don’t flush paper products other than toilet paper. That includes wipes, paper towels, feminine hygiene products and diapers.
• Have tree roots trimmed near your house and drainage lines.
• Replace your clay sewer lateral with PVC, ABS or HDPE plastic piping.
• Consider having a licensed plumber assess your pipes to make sure your sump pump, French drains and other flood management systems are not connected to your sewer lateral.
• Install a backwater prevention valve to keep sewer water out.

How to get water backup coverage 

Steps to add water backup coverage to your policy

• Assess your risk. Do you have old plumbing? Do you live in a rainy area where power outages are common? Remember, when the power is out, a sump pump can’t run.  
• Estimate your coverage needs 
• Is your basement finished?  
• What property do you store there?  
• What would it cost to replace appliances often installed in basements, like a water heater, furnace, washing machine and dryer?  
• How much would it cost to have water removed and sewage remediated? 
• Gather quotes from multiple reputable insurers. Be sure that coverage quoted covers the same issues, and that limits and deductibles are comparable. Water backup coverage limits commonly start at $5,000 and range up from there.

Factors that may affect your premium 

• Location. Homes in rainy areas with older sewer systems. 
• Age: Older homes may have older plumbing that’s more susceptible. 
• Previous water backup problems may mean increased risk. 
• The amount of coverage and deductible you want.