Updated: October 16, 2024
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Insurance companies generally cover damages to the septic tank under dwelling coverage of a standard homeowners insurance policy. Dwelling coverage protects the physical structure of your home, including the foundation, roofing, front or side porches, attached garage and more.
With dwelling coverage, your insurance company will help repair or replace the structure if it's damaged due to a covered peril.
You don't need to buy extra coverage for septic tanks, as most insurance companies automatically cover them under dwelling coverage of a standard homeowners insurance policy. MoneyGeek recommends shopping for homeowners insurance from different insurers to get the best fit for your needs.
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If a covered peril like a fire or lightning damages your septic tank, your homeowners insurance policy will help you repair or replace it. Typically, homeowners insurance will cover septic tank damage if it's a result of any of the following instances:
Most homeowners insurance policies cover perils that commonly cause damage to the septic tank. However, it's best to read your policy information or contact your insurer to understand which peril they cover.
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.
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.
Be mindful of what you flush
If you want your septic tank to function well, avoid flushing down items like household chemicals, paints, paper towels, cigarette butts, oils and grease.
Place your vehicle elsewhere
Since the weight of heavy vehicles can cause damage to the septic tank, it's best to park your cars elsewhere.
Keep trees away from the tank
Watch out for any trees that may be growing near the tank. The tree roots can find their way into the tank, damaging the system from the inside out.
You can buy homeowners insurance from major insurers, such as State Farm and Hippo. Some regional insurance providers like Lemonade and Toggle are also good choices for a homeowners insurance policy.
However, before you purchase a policy, it's best to compare quotes from different providers to find the right coverage that suits your needs. The average cost of homeowners insurance is $175 per month. However, the actual price may vary depending on how much stuff you own.
You can use MoneyGeek's personal property calculator to estimate your insurance costs based on the value of your personal property.
When figuring out how much renters insurance you need, experts recommend the standard $100,000 in liability insurance and enough personal property protection to cover your possessions. Use MoneyGeek's calculator to estimate the value of your possessions so you know how much personal property coverage to buy.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
