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- Damage to your septic tank due to poor maintenance or wear and tear is not covered by home insurance.
- Damage to your home from septic backups can be covered, but no damage to the tank.
- Consider having a service line driver to make sure you have extra coverage for your septic tank.
- See the insider’s guide to the best home insurance.
The EPA regards septic systems as “underground wastewater treatment plants commonly used in rural areas without centralized sewer systems”.
Home contents insurance covers damage to your home and personal property, often referred to as insurance risks. Household contents insurance covers septic tanks with exceptions and varies depending on the provider. It is therefore important to speak to your insurance carrier about septic coverage.
Does the home insurance cover damage to your septic tank?
Damage to your home must be associated with a hazard, unless you have purchased an additional driver. Common insurance risks include fire, lightning, theft, ice, snow, sleet, smoke, vandalism and frost.
Some home insurance companies consider septic tanks to be “other structures” protected by home cover. The coverage of septic tanks is rather limited with standard policies. Damage to the septic tank itself isn’t covered, but your home is covered if the damage was caused by a faulty septic tank or an overflow into your home, according to American Family Insurance.
If the septic damage occurs suddenly, unexpectedly and in connection with an insured hazard, your home contents insurance will cover it. However, you need to check with your home insurance company how they deal with septic tank problems. It can vary depending on the insurance provider.
Additional cover for septic tanks is available as an add-on to your policy for the Serviceline, which incurs additional costs. Check with your home insurance company to see if they offer additional coverage for septic tanks and utilities.
When damage to your septic tank isn’t covered
If the damage is due to poor maintenance or wear and tear, you are not insured.
Most septic tank damage is due to human error – like flushing grease or oils, running over the tank, or tree roots growing around pipes. Make sure you do regular maintenance and upkeep to avoid septic tank problems as home insurance does not cover damage related to poor maintenance.
Damage to your septic tank from floods, earthquakes, government seizures, mudslides, regulation updates, sewer stagnation and sinkholes are hazards that are not covered by home insurance. These require additional insurance with a driver’s policy or separate insurance.
A home warranty is an option for repair and maintenance costs
If your septic tank is not damaged due to an insurance hazard, a home warranty contract can be an option to help cut maintenance and repair costs. House warranties are service contracts to repair or replace items such as HVAC, air conditioning, and water heaters.
A home warranty can cost $ 350 to $ 700 per year. If you’ve just bought your home, your agent will most likely have recommendations for preferred businesses in your location. Otherwise you will receive a house guarantee from:
- American homeland sign
- Landmark Home Guarantee
- Choice Home Guarantee
Lap lee
Associate Editor, Insurance
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