Sewer Backup Insurance

Sewer Backup Insurance

From time to time, sewer lines may unfortunately experience backup conditions resulting in sewer entering your home through drains or other plumbing facilities. If such conditions do occur, please immediately contact the Authority at (717) 545-0116, who will promptly assist in determining the location and cause of the backup.

The Susquehanna Township Authority is generally not legally responsible under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for any costs for cleanup or repair. However, and more importantly, many insurance carriers do provide insurance coverage for such expenses under their homeowners' policy, but normally only by specific coverage endorsement, or modification, at a reasonable cost. You are strongly urged to contact your insurance agent to discuss obtaining this coverage providing for damages resulting from backup of sewers and drains.

Water damage is the toughest of all claims. If water comes in through a sewer, drain or sump pump backup, it will only be covered if you have the Sewer and Drain Endorsement or Enhancement Endorsement.

The endorsement on your policy will cover the damages up to the limit that you set when buying the policy. It is important for the limits of the endorsement to be enough to protect all of the niceties of your underground basement/den. If you have made improvements, make sure to let your insurance Agent know.

Who Pays For My Damages?

As mentioned above, the Susquehanna Township Authority is generally not legally responsible under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for any costs for cleanup or repair which is why we strongly suggest that you obtain sewer backup insurance as soon as possible. If you do, however, experience a sewer backup and have no insurance to cover the damages, you are welcome to present your case to the Authority Board for consideration of damage reimbursement. Please keep in mind however, that the Authority Board has no legal responsibility to grant your request.

Should you wish to present your case to the Authority Board, please call the Authority office and ask to be placed on the agenda for the next regularly scheduled Authority Board meeting.