Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Septic Tanks?

Yes, homeowners insurance typically covers septic tank damage if it’s caused by a covered peril like fire, lightning or vandalism. In these cases, your insurer may help pay for repairs or replacement. Common examples include:

• A house fire damages the septic system
• A lightning strike hits and cracks the tank
• Someone vandalizes the septic system

However, coverage only applies to sudden, unexpected events, not wear and tear or maintenance issues. Review your policy or speak with your insurer to confirm which perils are covered.

Although homeowners insurance generally covers septic tank damage, it's best to avoid making a claim altogether by protecting the tank from damage. You can do so by being mindful of what you flush, not placing your vehicle above the tank and keeping trees away from it.

Even if your homeowners insurance covers septic tank damage, it usually isn't worth filing a claim unless repair costs far exceed your deductible. Most issues are preventable or not covered at all, so it's often smarter to avoid damage in the first place. Here are three practical ways to protect your system and minimize the risk of costly out-of-pocket repairs:

You can buy homeowners insurance from major insurers like State Farm and Hippo. Regional providers such as Lemonade and Toggle also offer competitive options that may include septic system coverage.

Before choosing a policy, compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best fit for your budget and coverage needs. The average cost of homeowners insurance is around $175 per month, but your actual premium will vary based on location, coverage limits and personal property value. If you need help estimating your coverage needs, you can use MoneyGeek’s personal property calculator to get a more accurate quote.

On this page, we explained when homeowners insurance covers septic tank damage, when it doesn’t and how to protect your system to avoid unnecessary claims.

While septic tanks are usually included under dwelling coverage, that doesn’t mean every type of damage is covered. Wear, clogs and neglect are still your responsibility, and filing a claim might not be worth it if the repair costs fall below your deductible. The smartest move is prevention: know what’s covered, maintain your system regularly and compare policies carefully to make sure you’re not caught off guard.

Homeowners with septic systems often have questions about what their insurance does and doesn’t cover. Here are answers to some of the most common concerns:

Why trust MoneyGeek?

MoneyGeek provides homeowners insurance insights backed by real-world data and independent research. We use official rate filings from state Departments of Insurance across all 50 states, along with pricing data from Quadrant Information Services. This allows us to deliver accurate, up-to-date information about what homeowners insurance covers, including how it applies to septic systems.

How we evaluated insurance providers

Our analysis of homeowners insurance companies includes a review of premiums, policy features, and available coverage options. We assessed how each provider handles standard coverage needs as well as more comprehensive protections, helping readers understand what to expect when it comes to structures like septic systems.

Homeowner profile used in comparisons

To ensure fair comparisons, we used a standardized homeowner profile with the following characteristics:

• Credit score between 769–792
• Home built in 2000
• Wood-frame construction
• Composite shingle roof

Coverage details

Unless noted otherwise, quotes are based on a typical homeowners policy with these limits:

• $250,000 in dwelling coverage
• $125,000 in personal property coverage
• $200,000 in personal liability coverage
• $1,000 deductible

We also modeled higher-value coverage scenarios, such as:

• $1 million in dwelling coverage
• $500,000 in personal property coverage
• $1 million in personal liability coverage

This approach helps us evaluate how well insurers serve both average homeowners and those who may need higher levels of protection, including for systems like septic tanks that fall under structural coverage.