Mitigate your Sewer Back-Up Loss Exposure

April 17, 2023||inPersonal Insurance|homeowners insurance, personal insurance, sewer back up

Sewer back-up loss exposures are a common coverage gap under a homeowners policy. However, this exposure can typically be covered by the addition of a Water Back-up and Sump Overflow endorsement (see sample) to your policy.

In addition to procuring the proper insurance coverage, homeowners should adopt several risk control techniques concerning this loss exposure, including the following.

Mitigate your Sewer Back-Up Loss Exposure
Click here to submit an inquiry to Murphy Insurance or call us at 800 222 8711

  • Do not put grease, paper towels, diapers, or other refuse down toilets or sinks. Avoiding this action will help prevent clogs in the pipes that connect your home to the sewer. Note that grease buildup in the lines is a common cause of water and sewage backup losses.
  • If a sump pump, French drain, or other flood control system is connected to the sewer main, hire a licensed plumber to remove that connection. A municipality’s plumbing code may not allow such a connection.
  • Insureds should consider getting a licensed plumber to install a backflow-prevention device. This valve allows sewage to go out but not to come back in. The investment of between $1,000 and $5,000 will go a long way toward protecting your home.
  • If there is a major sewer or drain backup into the home, a water loss remediation specialist should be hired to deal with the aftermath of this type of loss. The use of such an expert will help prevent disease and mitigate damage from mold and mildew.

Read Other Blog Posts

Drowsy

Preventing Drowsy Driving

Every year, the National Sleep Foundation organizes Drowsy Driving Prevention Week to raise awareness about the dangers of driving while fatigued.
Read more
Insurance Form

Why Personal Liability Insurance is Essential for Homeowners, Condo Owners, and Renters

When securing insurance for your home, condo, or rental, most people think of protecting property and belongings. However, an essential part of coverage often overlooked is personal liability insurance. This coverage provides financial protection if you’re legally responsible for causing bodily injury or property damage to another person, both on and off your property.
Read more
Driving

Factors Affecting Your Car Insurance Rate

The cost of auto insurance is influenced by a wide range of factors. Together, these variables shape the overall cost of auto insurance. With this in mind, it can be helpful to better understand how the following elements may impact your rates:
Read more
Apartment living room

Keep Your Home Safe While on Vacation

Taking a trip and exploring the world is fun, but leaving your home unoccupied has some risks.  Before departing, protect your property from accidents and criminals by considering the following precautions.
Read more
Male teen driver

5 Tips for Adding a Teen to Your Auto Policy

If your teen is approaching driving age, it may be time to start thinking about your plan for adding them to your auto insurance policy. Here are five tips to consider when adding a teen to your auto insurance policy.
Read more
Night driving

Understanding the Risks of Speeding

According to NHTSA data, speeding kills more than 12,000 people behind the wheel each year, contributing to nearly one-third (29%) of all traffic fatalities. With this in mind, it’s important to understand what causes speeding and how to prevent it.
Read more
Mold

Keeping Mold Out of Your Home

Mold not only damages your property, but it can also cause serious health complications after long-term exposure. With this in mind, try these prevention tips to keep mold out of your home.
Read more
Burglary

Tips for Preventing Home Burglaries

As a homeowner, you must protect your property from various risks, such as burglaries. To limit your chances of becoming the victim of a home burglary, consider the following steps for daily life.
Read more
Ensuring Peace of Mind: The Importance of Wedding Insurance

Ensuring Peace of Mind: The Importance of Wedding Insurance

Protect your big day with wedding insurance coverage. Whether safeguarding your attire, ensuring vendor reliability, or providing peace of mind against unexpected mishaps, we've got you covered so you can focus on making memories that last a lifetime.
Read more

Visit Our Personal Insurance Page

Personal Insurance

Life is an ever-changing journey, and it deserves a thoughtful, comprehensive plan to protect the things and people that matter most. Our dedicated team at Murphy Insurance is here to assist you in creating that plan. With a wide range of product options at our disposal, we ensure that your plan is tailored precisely to your requirements. Our commitment to providing clear, intelligent guidance to help you achieve true peace of mind. Learn more about our personal insurance portfolio.