For Ohio homeowners, water damage is one of the most common and costly insurance claims. But not all water-related incidents are treated equally under a home insurance policy. Two often misunderstood coverages—Backup of Sewer and Drain and Flood Insurance—are frequently assumed to be interchangeable. They’re not.
Understanding the difference between these coverages is essential to protecting your home and your finances from unexpected water damage. In this guide, we’ll break down what each covers, how they differ, real-world examples, and why having both might be the smartest move.
Understanding Backup of Sewer & Drain Coverage
What It Covers
Backup of Sewer or Drain coverage is an optional endorsement you can add to your homeowners insurance. It provides coverage when water or sewage backs up into your home through:
- Basement floor drains
- Toilets or sinks
- Sump pump failures
- Sewer lines connected to your property
What It Does Not Cover
- Water entering your home from outside (e.g., rising floodwaters)
- Storm surge or overflow from nearby bodies of water
- Water seepage through foundation walls (unless directly caused by a covered backup)
Real-World Ohio Example
A Cincinnati homeowner has a finished basement. During a heavy rainstorm, the sump pump fails, and water backs up into the basement, damaging carpet, drywall, and furniture.
Our restoration partners now estimate that the average water backup claim in Ohio starts around $10,000 to $20,000, depending on the type of home and finishes affected. These costs are not covered under a standard policy without the proper endorsement.
Average Cost of Coverage
For context, $10,000 in backup coverage generally costs $100–$150 per year. This varies based on location, home value, and other risk factors like prior water losses or the presence of a sump pump.
Understanding Flood Insurance
What It Covers
Flood insurance is a separate policy (typically through the National Flood Insurance Program, or NFIP) that covers damage from rising water from outside your home, such as:
- Overflow of inland or tidal waters
- Heavy rain that accumulates and enters at ground level
- Flash floods from overwhelmed drainage systems
- River, creek, or lake overflow
What It Does Not Cover
- Water damage from burst pipes, water heaters, or appliances
- Sewer or drain backups (unless directly caused by the flood and no other exclusions apply)
Real-World Ohio Example
A Dayton homeowner lives near a small stream. After days of rain, the water rises and enters through the back door, flooding the first floor and damaging flooring, appliances, and drywall. This damage would not be covered by a standard homeowners policy—even with sewer backup coverage. Only flood insurance would apply.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Backup of Sewer & Drain | Flood Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Homeowners endorsement | Separate policy (NFIP or private) |
| Covered Water Source | Inside: drain, sump, sewer | Outside: rivers, rain, floodwater |
| Typical Cause | Plumbing failure, blockages, mechanical failure | Heavy rainfall, overflowing water bodies |
| Required? | Optional endorsement | Optional, but may be required in high-risk zones |
| Average Starting Cost (Ohio) | $100–$150/year | $500–$1,200/year (varies by zone and coverage) |
Why This Matters: Cost of Water Damage in Ohio
- Average sewer backup claim: $10,000–$20,000
- Average flood claim: $40,000+ (FEMA data)
- Ohio’s flood risk: Though not coastal, Ohio sees frequent flooding from rainfall, snowmelt, and river overflow—especially in places like Cincinnati, Columbus, and areas near the Great Miami and Little Miami Rivers.
Do You Need Both?
If you live in southwest Ohio, especially in low-lying areas or near creeks or storm drains, the answer is likely yes.
- Sewer & Drain Backup protects your plumbing-related systems from water entering the home from within.
- Flood Insurance protects you from external rising water, which is never covered under a standard homeowners policy.
Having both creates a comprehensive water damage safety net.
Our Carrier Options
Water damage claims are among the most devastating and expensive losses for Ohio homeowners. But with the right knowledge—and the right coverage—you can protect your home from both backed-up water and rising water.
We work with a multitude of insurance companies that offer homeowners insurance policies with the optional endorsement for Backup of Sewer and Drain coverage. In addition, we provide access to several private flood insurance carriers and are listed on the Agency Registry for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). For homeowners seeking simplicity, we proudly represent Erie Insurance, which can combine both sewer backup and flood coverage within one comprehensive home policy.
We’ll help you evaluate your risk, identify coverage gaps, and secure the protection your home truly needs—no guesswork, no gaps.
💡 Want a Water Damage Coverage Review?
Contact our team today for a personalized policy review. We’ll walk you through your sewer & drain coverage, assess your flood risk, and help you determine if adding or adjusting coverage makes sense for your home.
https://www.lighthouseinsuranceagency.com/quotes/