Water Backup Coverage | Liberty Mutual

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Water Backup CoverageWater Backup covers your home and belongings if water damage occurs from a sewer backup from a municipal system and sump pump failure.1

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Does homeowners insurance cover water damage?

It depends. Most basic home insurance policies have limited coverage for water damage. As a homeowner, it's important to understand exactly what you're covered for in case of water damage.

Generally speaking, water damage may be covered under your home insurance policy if the damage is “sudden and accidental.” For example, damage from a frozen pipe bursting or a roof leak from a fallen tree may be covered if you've kept your home in a good state of repair.

Water damage caused from on-going leaks or lack of maintenance is generally not covered by home insurance. This includes things like leaks from aging roofs, gradual damage from leaky faucets, and mold or rot from lack of addressing moisture issues.

Basic home insurance also generally doesn't cover water damage caused by sewer backup and sump pumps — unless you add an optional coverage, known as Water Backup coverage (or “Water Backup and Overflow” coverage in some states).

What is Water Backup coverage?

Water Backup, also referred to as “sewer and sump pump overflow,” or “escape of water” coverage, is an optional coverage homeowners can add to their policies to help cover the cost of water damage caused by sewer backups, or sump pump failures.1,2

What does Water Backup cover?

Water Backup may help cover water damage caused by:

• Sewer backups
• Sump pumps and other systems designed to remove water from the foundation of your home — even if the damage is due to a mechanical breakdown

To give an example, let's say the sump pump in your basement malfunctions and causes damage to the carpet. Water Backup will help cover the cost of replacing the carpet but not the sump pump or other equipment that contributed to the damage.

What doesn't Water Backup cover?

Water Backup does not cover:

• Repairs from normal wear and tear of pipes, plumbing, and sump pump equipment
• Water damage caused from water outside the home, such as from pools or bodies of water like the ocean
• Flood damage
• Damage from surface or sub-surface water

Does Water Backup cover floods?

No. Our Water Backup coverage does not cover damage from floods. Homeowners will need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy for coverage.

Do I need Water Backup coverage?

Water Backup is one of the most popular add-on coverages among our home insurance policyholders.

Water damage associated with plumbing can be costly and unpredictable. Water Backup coverage can help protect you, your home, and your assets.

How do I get Water Backup coverage?

Water Backup is one of the most popular add-on coverages among our home insurance policyholders.

Liberty Mutual customers can contact us to add this coverage to their existing policy.

Insurance coverages for your home

Personal Property Coverage

Pays the actual cash value of covered personal property that needs to be replaced due to a covered loss.

Additional Living Expenses/Loss of Rent

Covers any necessary increase in living expenses incurred by you and your house so that you can maintain their normal standard of living.3

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More about home insurance

Homeowners insuranceHomeowners insurance discountsHomeowners insurance coverageCoverage calculatorThis is for general informational purposes only and no commitment of coverage can be made until a claim is filed and a thorough investigation is completed by the claims department. In addition, all claims are evaluated on their own merits based on the specific facts, circumstances, and applicable policy language in conjunction with appropriate state laws and regulations.1Optional coverage. Not available in all states, and may vary by state.2Coverage does not apply if the incident is due to negligence or failure to properly maintain systems and equipment.3Stated policy limits apply; not available in all states.