If a Sump Pump Fails – Will Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Water Damage in the Basement and Home?

Today we have a special guest blog from Alyssa at  Eaton & Berube Insurance in Nashua, NH.   Homeowners who have sump pumps, and those contemplating adding a sump pump to their basements, will find this post very informative.  The post covers sump pumps, water damage and homeowners insurance.  Please read on:

Sample Insurance Coverage – CLICK HERE

“Will my homeowners insurance policy provide coverage for water backup if my sump pump fails and my basement floods?”

This is a common question among homeowners with sump pumps, and the answer can vary. In most cases, a standard homeowners insurance policy does not provide coverage for water damage caused by sump pump failure.  However, this type of coverage can be easily added on to your homeowners policy in the form of what’s called an “endorsement.”

With most homeowners policies, this endorsement can be purchased at a low cost and will provide coverage for damage caused by backed-up water. This includes coverage for items damaged by the water, as well as the cost of cleaning up the water in your home, provided that the loss was not caused by the homeowner’s negligence.

A water backup and sump pump failure/overflow endorsement will just cover the property damage – not the repair of the actual appliance/sump pump that malfunctioned.  Coverage for the sump pump itself would typically be covered under an Equipment Breakdown Endorsement.  Like any other type of coverage, it’s important to remember that this coverage can vary depending on the insurance company the homeowner uses.  An agent should review all of these concerns with the homeowner, compare costs, and make coverage recommendations based on his/her unique situation and exposures.

Although your sump pump could fail at any time, homeowners here in New Hampshire are especially vulnerable during our spring season, when large amounts of snow typically melt and we receive heavy rainfall. And in many homes, especially those with finished basements, it takes less than one inch of water to cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage, making a water and sump pump backup endorsement a wise investment.

Since insurance isn’t something most homeowners deal with on a daily basis, it’s important to have an insurance agent you can trust to assess your exposures and make coverage recommendations that will fully protect you and your assets. If you have additional questions about sump pump failure insurance coverage, our agents are here to help.

Visit Eaton & Berube Insurance in Nashua and Milford, NH for more information and for your insurance needs.  They have been assisting New Hampshire residents with their coverage needs for more than 70 years. To learn more or to get a free quote for homeowners insurance that includes sump pump failure insurance coverage, please call 800-660-5362

Homeowners often have a sump pump system and also have a back-up sump pump in place.  Having these two systems provides homeowners with extra peace of mind in the event that the main pump is overwhelmed during a raging New England storm. It’s also a smart idea to make sure your sump pump is always in working order by having maintenance performed annually.

Our sump pumps have a manufacturers warranty that will protect the actual mechanical device.  For more information please call us at 800-445-7593.