Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Sewer Line Replacement? (2024)

Sewer line replacement is covered by standard home insurance policies as part of other structures coverage, which protects structures such as sheds, garages and detached carports that do not have separate insurance. Sewer line damage falls under dwelling coverage, but it may have a limit of 10% of your home’s insured value. It depends on your policy’s details.

Most homeowners policies include coverage for damage to the sewer line due to fire, lightning, hail or windstorms, explosions, vehicles or aircraft, falling objects and vandalism.

The important thing to note is that your policy only covers damage caused to a sewer line if it was from a specific event (such as listed above), and the damaged pipes must be on your property line.

You can also often get coverage for sewer backup, water lines, sump pumps, etc., up to a certain limit by purchasing the appropriate endorsement in addition to standard coverage.

Homeowners insurance covers damage to a sewer line if it is caused by an external event, such as an explosion, vandalism, fire, falling objects or windstorm. Below are examples of acts caused by perils a standard home insurance policy usually covers if they compromise the sewer line.

You can file a claim if your sewer line is damaged by an "act of God" or the act of another person. And homeowners insurance covers sewer line replacement when the damage is due to an aircraft or explosion. You should also have coverage if sewer line damage is caused by sudden and accidental tearing, cracking, burning, breaking or falling heavy objects.

But what about damage from natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes or hurricanes? This can be tricky because policies vary widely on coverage for sewer line damages during these events. If you live in an area prone to flooding, you may want to get flood insurance specifically for your home's plumbing system; most home insurance policies don't include flood coverage. Also, sewer line replacement won’t happen via your insurance if an earthquake is the cause. You may get coverage with a separate earthquake insurance policy.

When it comes to sewer line replacement, you are most likely responsible for paying the costs if you don't have an endorsement because the most common causes of sewer line damage are not covered perils. Whether or not your policy covers sewer line replacement depends on the cause of the damage.

So, if you're wondering whether or not homeowners insurance covers sewer line replacement, a few things could prevent coverage from being provided. For example, policies won't cover sewage backups or line replacement damage caused by a tree root or wear and tear; others may exclude damage from natural disasters like floods. It is essential to have endorsement coverage for sewer line replacement to guarantee protection.

Although homeowners insurance provides compensation for damage to your home and possessions in case of a covered peril, preventing damage is always better than repairing it. Plus, it won’t cover a sewer line replacement because you failed to maintain the line. To prevent sewer line breakage, avoid using harsh chemicals around your pipes. Be sure that if you are having work done on your home, you hire a professional plumber that is licensed and insured.

Insurers like State Farm, Progressive, GEICO and Farmers are among the most popular home insurance providers, but smaller firms like Lemonade and Hippo also provide coverage. To get the best price for your home insurance, you can shop around and compare quotes from several carriers.

The average monthly cost of homeowners insurance in the United States is $175. Keep in mind that you may pay a higher rate if you have a high-value home or add endorsements, such as to protect the sewer line. Use MoneyGeek's personal property calculator to estimate how much insurance may cost for you.