March 21, 2021 · ACI Adjustment Group
Is Toilet Overflow Covered By Homeowners Insurance or is it not? The answer to that is in your insurance policy.
It mainly depends on the terms and conditions of the policy and the cause of the overflow. If the cause of the overflow is generally covered, the water damage by that is generally covered, depending on your policy terms.
Cases Where Water Damage from Toilet Overflow is Generally Covered
Although it is decided by the terms and conditions of your insurance policy whether or not water damage by toilet overflow is generally covered, there are some common cases where it mostly is. These include:
Toilet Overflow Caused by Clogged Drains
If the toilet overflow is caused by a clogged drain, it is generally covered by homeowner's insurance, depending on your policy terms. Here's an example of that.
If the drain pipes are blocked and the toilet's flushing system is broken, water can fill up in the pipes and will eventually lead to toilet overflow. Such cases are generally covered by homeowner's insurance.
Toilet Overflow Due to Faulty Plumbing
Another case where the answer to the question "is toilet overflow covered by homeowners insurance" is yes is when the overflow is caused by a plumbing problem on the property. For example, if the drain pipes are blocked on the ground floor, the wastewater can overflow into the toilets of the ground floor. Such cases are generally covered.
Toilet Overflow Caused by A Faulty Sump Pump
If the sump pump for pumping wastewater out of the basement is faulty, this can cause toilet overflow. This is another example of the cases where the answer to "is toilet overflow covered by homeowners insurance" is yes.
Cases Where Toilet Overflow is Not Covered
Homeowner's insurance is generally not responsible for the faults in the drainage system outside the property. Here are some of the examples where toilet overflow water damage is not covered:
Clogged Main Sewer Line
If the overflow is due to a clogged drain outside the property, homeowner's insurance won't generally compensate you for that.
Faulty Sump Pump Outside the Property
If the overflow is caused by a malfunctioning sump pump outside the property, this is not covered by insurance.
Flood-Caused Toilet Overflow
Unless your insurance policy explicitly states that it covers you against flood-related damage, toilet overflow water damage caused by a flood is not covered.
What a Settlement Can Cover
When toilet overflow damage is generally covered, a homeowner's policy typically pays out under up to three heads, depending on your policy terms.
Dwelling Costs: the repair of the immediate damage, including fixing the cause of the overflow and repairing or replacing anything it damaged.
Personal Property Costs: damage to appliances, furniture, or electronics caused by the overflow.
Extra Living Expenses: not included in every policy, but where it is, it covers gas, food, travel, and hotel costs if you have to temporarily relocate during repairs.
Mold Caused by Toilet Overflow Water Damage
Toilet overflow rarely stops at the water itself. Left unaddressed, it leads to mold on flooring and wooden surfaces, and mold remediation can cost upwards of $30,000.
Standard homeowner's insurance does not generally cover mold, but there are cases where it is:
If the water seepage that caused the mold was hidden and the homeowner could not reasonably have found it.
If the mold resulted from flooding and the policy includes flood insurance.
Some insurers in higher-humidity states, such as Florida and Louisiana, cover mold damage as a matter of course — a distinction that does not apply to Pennsylvania policies.
Who Gets to Decide?
So, who is the one deciding, is toilet overflow covered by homeowners insurance?
Technically that is the insurance company. Once you file the claim, they'll send their team to inspect the case.
This team then decides whether or not you are generally covered.
You are thinking right, the team might tend to favor the insurer as they are the ones paying them.
To solve that problem, you can hire a public adjuster. Here's what a public adjuster like ACI Adjustments Group can do for you.
ACI Adjustment Group Services
Insurance policy review to help you understand the terms and conditions of your insurance policy.
Evaluating damages that are generally covered under your insurance policy.
Proving the damages done to your property so that you get claim money according to the damage.
Following up with your insurance claim process to get it processed fast.