Rain, Rain Go Away

With all of the rain that we’re getting in the Maryland, DC, Virginia area today, you might be stuck inside wondering what to do with yourself.  On rainy days like today, what could be more fun than reviewing your insurance policy?

Grab yourself a cup of coffee, find a comfortable seat on the couch, and take a few minutes to look for this very important rainy day coverage:  Backup of Sewer or Drain.

If you have a basement, that’s below ground level, chances are you have a sump pump to help keep the water out.  Sump pump failures often occur during power outages or periods of heavy rain.  When the sump pump fails, water can back up into your home.  If you have a finished basement, the damage can be extensive as water can seep into your furniture, floors, walls, and damage your electronic appliances.

On most Homeowners insurance policies, coverage for this type of loss is EXCLUDED unless you purchase Backup of Sewer and Drain coverage.  It’s important to check your policy to see if it’s on there.  If you cannot find it, call your insurance agent and ask them to add it.  The additional coverage is relatively inexpensive and ranges from $25 to $100 per year, depending on the limit you choose.  It is an invaluable coverage.

In the event of a sump pump failure, you’ll want to do everything you can to get the water cleaned up, and the space dried out, as quickly as possible.  If there is a lot of water you should consider calling a restoration company, such as ServPro or Purofirst,  to assist you.  Damp conditions can cause mold problems which can be very costly to remediate.

After you have started the clean up, give your insurance agent a call to discuss your situation and extent of the damage.   If you carry Backup of Sewer and Drain coverage, and the damage is extensive, they can assist you with getting an insurance claim started. 

If you have any questions about this coverage, or would like to have it added to your existing Homeowners insurance policy, please give us a call at 301-989-9200 or visit us at First Insurance Services. If you are not a current client, we’ll be happy to review your existing insurance policy, make coverage recommendations, and provide you with quotes.

Stay dry!