Water Backup from Sewers or Drains

What if you come home from work to find that filthy water has filled your bath tub and overflowed all over your bathroom floor, your bedroom and has flooded down the second floor ceiling and walls?

What if the sump pump in your basement fails during a power outage in a major rainstorm causing dirty water to soak the new carpeting and beautifully painted walls in your finished basement?

What if your homeowner's policy does not include coverage for this loss?

Some homeowner's policies do automatically include this important coverage. On others, you need to add an endorsement.

Flood Insurance

What if water damage in the basement is not from sump pump failure but from flooding or water coming into your home?

This type of loss is commonly excluded from homeowner's policies. (A few insurance companies offer flood insurance as an endorsement on their homeowner's policy for those not in severe flood zones.)

You can purchase a Flood Insurance policy through FEMA. (See limitations under Am I Covered for Flood?).

Mold Remediation Expense

After water damage, mold probably will follow. Cleaning up and repairing mold damage is expensive and many homeowner's policies limit the amount that will be reimbursed for these expenses.

Low-Power Recreational Vehicles

People with young children may have a low-power vehicle such as battery-powered "Barbie Car" or "Jeep." Older children and adults may have an electric razor scooter or motorized go-cart.

By definition in most homeowner's policies, these recreational vehicles are covered as long as they are used only on your property. When taken off the property and onto the sidewalk or street, there may be no coverage.

These little vehicles can cause serious injuries or damages if one hits a neighbor or a real car swerves to avoid one. A homeowner's policy without a specific endorsement for these vehicles may provide no protection against an injury claim or an emotional distress suit. Knowing what protection your homeowners policy offers, is most important.