IN-THE-KNOW

More RAIN?!? Is my home protected?

Basement water damage is one of the most common home insurance problems we see in Michigan. Many homeowners do not realize water backup or sump overflow coverage is optional until after a claim happens.

Most base home insurance policies do not automatically cover water that backs up through a drain or overflows from a sump pump. That protection is usually added through a water backup or sump overflow endorsement.

The endorsement matters, but the coverage limit matters too.

A finished basement can burn through a small limit fast between mitigation crews, drying equipment, drywall, flooring, trim, and damaged mechanicals.

One recent example involved an Allen Park homeowner with a finished basement. Heavy rain caused the sump pump to fail.

Mitigation costs were about $4,800.

Drywall and flooring repairs added another $5,200.

A damaged furnace and water heater added roughly $3,500 more.

Total damage reached about $13,500.

Their policy did not include water backup coverage, so insurance paid $0.

The endorsement would have cost about $8 per month.

Check your declarations page for:

• Water Backup

• Sump Overflow

• Coverage limits

Finished basements, flooring, furnaces, water heaters, and stored belongings all affect how much coverage makes sense.

Not sure what your policy includes? Ask your agent to review your declarations page and point out the water backup or sump overflow coverage section. Policy language and carrier rules vary, so it is worth checking before the next heavy rain.

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More RAIN?!? Is my home protected?

By: Tamara Champagne Basement water damage is one of the most common home insurance problems we see in Michigan. Many...

YOUR
FAQ
HUB!

More RAIN?!? Is my home protected?

Tamara Champagne
May 20
1 min read

Basement water damage is one of the most common home insurance problems we see in Michigan. Many homeowners do not realize water backup or sump overflow coverage is optional until after a claim happens.

Most base home insurance policies do not automatically cover water that backs up through a drain or overflows from a sump pump. That protection is usually added through a water backup or sump overflow endorsement.

The endorsement matters, but the coverage limit matters too.

A finished basement can burn through a small limit fast between mitigation crews, drying equipment, drywall, flooring, trim, and damaged mechanicals.

One recent example involved an Allen Park homeowner with a finished basement. Heavy rain caused the sump pump to fail.

Mitigation costs were about $4,800.

Drywall and flooring repairs added another $5,200.

A damaged furnace and water heater added roughly $3,500 more.

Total damage reached about $13,500.

Their policy did not include water backup coverage, so insurance paid $0.

The endorsement would have cost about $8 per month.

Check your declarations page for:

• Water Backup

• Sump Overflow

• Coverage limits

Finished basements, flooring, furnaces, water heaters, and stored belongings all affect how much coverage makes sense.

Not sure what your policy includes? Ask your agent to review your declarations page and point out the water backup or sump overflow coverage section. Policy language and carrier rules vary, so it is worth checking before the next heavy rain.

Comments

IN-THE-KNOW

More RAIN?!? Is my home protected?

Basement water damage is one of the most common home insurance problems we see in Michigan. Many homeowners do not realize water backup or sump overflow coverage is optional until after a claim happens.

Most base home insurance policies do not automatically cover water that backs up through a drain or overflows from a sump pump. That protection is usually added through a water backup or sump overflow endorsement.

The endorsement matters, but the coverage limit matters too.

A finished basement can burn through a small limit fast between mitigation crews, drying equipment, drywall, flooring, trim, and damaged mechanicals.

One recent example involved an Allen Park homeowner with a finished basement. Heavy rain caused the sump pump to fail.

Mitigation costs were about $4,800.

Drywall and flooring repairs added another $5,200.

A damaged furnace and water heater added roughly $3,500 more.

Total damage reached about $13,500.

Their policy did not include water backup coverage, so insurance paid $0.

The endorsement would have cost about $8 per month.

Check your declarations page for:

• Water Backup

• Sump Overflow

• Coverage limits

Finished basements, flooring, furnaces, water heaters, and stored belongings all affect how much coverage makes sense.

Not sure what your policy includes? Ask your agent to review your declarations page and point out the water backup or sump overflow coverage section. Policy language and carrier rules vary, so it is worth checking before the next heavy rain.

Cheap Insurance Coverage Can Cost You Big Later

Cheap coverage can feel like a win until claim time. The problem is not always the price. Sometimes it is what was...

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We see this all the time: smart people with good policies still get caught off guard by myths. It’s not your...

What Mistakes Do People Make When Talking to Their Insurance Agent?

Most insurance problems don’t start with a dramatic mistake. They usually start with one small detail your agent didn’t...

More RAIN?!? Is my home protected?

By: Tamara Champagne Basement water damage is one of the most common home insurance problems we see in Michigan. Many...

YOUR FAQ HUB!

Basement water damage is one of the most common home insurance problems we see in Michigan. Many homeowners do not realize water backup or sump overflow coverage is optional until after a claim happens.

Most base home insurance policies do not automatically cover water that backs up through a drain or overflows from a sump pump. That protection is usually added through a water backup or sump overflow endorsement.

The endorsement matters, but the coverage limit matters too.

A finished basement can burn through a small limit fast between mitigation crews, drying equipment, drywall, flooring, trim, and damaged mechanicals.

One recent example involved an Allen Park homeowner with a finished basement. Heavy rain caused the sump pump to fail.

Mitigation costs were about $4,800.

Drywall and flooring repairs added another $5,200.

A damaged furnace and water heater added roughly $3,500 more.

Total damage reached about $13,500.

Their policy did not include water backup coverage, so insurance paid $0.

The endorsement would have cost about $8 per month.

Check your declarations page for:

• Water Backup

• Sump Overflow

• Coverage limits

Finished basements, flooring, furnaces, water heaters, and stored belongings all affect how much coverage makes sense.

Not sure what your policy includes? Ask your agent to review your declarations page and point out the water backup or sump overflow coverage section. Policy language and carrier rules vary, so it is worth checking before the next heavy rain.

Comments

YOUR
FAQ
HUB!