Does homeowners insurance cover failed septic drain fields?

Answer 1

As is so often the case, "it depends..."

Read the homeowner's insurance policy. Generally speaking, septic systems will be "included" or "excluded" depending on how the policy is worded. For example, a policy might state the structure of the home and then have clauses (perhaps with check boxes) that have "including septic tank and leach field", which are only included if the box is checked. Similarly an exclusionary clause might have "excluding septic systems" which would seem to also exclude the leach field.

So that's the first place to start - find out if your septic system would be covered under the policy.

The second part is whether or not the septic system is covered due to "excessive water from underground springs and/or age". There are two issues here:

1) Homeowner's policies do not normally act a warranties. So if your septic system is failing due to age, the policy likely would not be written to cover that situation.

2) Rising water, whether wind-driven, due to a storm, a flood, or a rising aquifier (ground spring) is generally covered by a separate "flood" policy and not the basic homeowner's policy.

Again, check the wording of your homeowners and/or flood policies to determine if your policy covers that specific condition. If you have questions, a good point to start is to ask your agent to explain the policy to you and why it would or would not cover your issue (they are, after all, the people that sold it to you and probably want your continued business). If you'd rather not ask your insurance company, a knowledgeable third party may be helpful in interpreting the policy for you, but the claims department often has the final say in what they will and will not cover. Even then, you are entitled to arbitration/mediation/litigation as your policy and state allow, so if you disagree with your insurer, you can at least make them prove their case; oftesometimes that's what's needed to get them to pay your claim or work out a reasonable deal.