Does homeowners insurance cover sewage backup?

Sewage backup is one of the most hazardous situations a property owner can face. Known in the industry as 'Category 3' water or 'Black Water,' it contains gross unsanitary contaminants and requires specialized biohazard protocol for safe remediation.

But will your insurance pay for it? The answer is often hidden in the fine print of your policy.

Standard homeowners policies often exclude or limit coverage for sewage backups unless you have added a specific 'Water Back-up and Sump Overflow' endorsement or rider. Without this specific clause, you could be left paying for the entire cleanup and remediation out of pocket.

At Metro Mitigation Group, we use IICRC S520 standards for sewage remediation. This involves complete removal of all porous materials (like drywall and padding) that have come into contact with the waste, and heavy sanitization of all remaining surfaces.

When we work with adjusters, we provide detailed technical logs documenting the category of water and the necessary steps taken to ensure a safe, sanitary result. This documentation is vital for your claim's approval process.

We recommend checking your policy today or speaking with your agent to ensure you have adequate coverage for sewage and sump pump failures before the emergency happens.