$5k water back up & sump pump overflow coverage

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​My insurance policy, and probably yours as well, has special policy limits and deductibles for certain coverages. In particular, up to $5,000 for coverage when sewage backs up into your home through the waste lines and originates from the sewer system in the street off your property. This can certainly result in a nasty, smelly mess inside your home and possibly a great deal of damage that is not covered because of this policy limit. 
 
Also, within this coverage there is a special deductible that gets applied which can be anywhere from $500 - $1,000. The coverage in your policy is usually worded like this:
 
For an additional premium, we insure, up to $5k, for direct physical loss not caused by the negligence of any “insured” to property covered under Section I caused by:
a. Water which backs up from off the “residence premises” through sewers or drains; or
(b) Water which overflows from a sump event it such overflow results from the mechanical breakdown of the sump pump etc.
 
Sometimes clients get confused with this language when they have a broken waste line or drain line which results in the kind of damage to your home caused by the overflow of contaminated water.
 
It is important to know that the above policy language does not refer to damage caused from broken waste lines under your home nor the resulting damage it causes. This damage, unless specifically excluded from your policy or capped by a $10k water damage cap, would be covered and not limited by the $5k back up policy limit and deductible.
 
For any questions regarding your policy and coverage please contact us here.