Water Backup is an optional endorsement available on the Coverage tab in the portal. This coverage protects your home from specific types of internal water damage that are typically excluded from standard home insurance policies.
Coverage Included
This endorsement covers sudden and accidental water damage caused by:
- Water or sewage entering the home through a sewer or drain located inside the premises.
- A backed-up drain or malfunctioning sump pump within the building.
Available Coverage Limits:
- $5,000
- $10,000
- $25,000
- $100,000
- Full Coverage: Guaranteed Replacement Cost up to $5M
Deductibles & Available Limits
- Deductible: Claims for water backup are subject to your policy's standard perils deductible.
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Sub-Limits: The limit you choose acts as a sub-limit, representing the maximum amount Openly will pay for water backup damage per occurrence.
Exclusions
While full exclusionary details can be found in the specific policy forms, this endorsement generally excludes:
- Flood & Surface Water: Damage caused by rising coastal or river waters, tidal waves, or surface water pooling outside the home and seeping through foundation walls, doors, or windows. These risks require a standalone Flood insurance policy.
- Gradual Seepage & Continuous Leaks: Water damage resulting from continuous or repeated leakage, seepage, or condensation that occurs over a period of weeks, months, or years, rather than a sudden and accidental event.
- Owner Neglect & Failure to Maintain: Damage resulting from a known maintenance issue that was left unaddressed, or losses caused by the intentional deactivation / unplugging of a sump pump system by the homeowner.
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Sump Pump Component Wear & Tear: While the resulting water damage from a malfunctioning sump pump is covered, the cost to repair or replace the worn-out or broken sump pump mechanism itself is generally not covered.
Water Backup vs. Buried Service Lines
It is common to confuse these two coverages, but they protect against entirely different risks: Water Backup covers the water damage inside your home from a backup, while Buried Service Lines covers the infrastructure repair outside your home.
| Coverage | What It Protects | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Water Backup | Damage inside the home caused by water reversing flow through drains, sewers, or sump pumps. | A toilet or basement sump pump overflows, damaging your floors and drywall. |
| Buried Service Lines | The physical repair or excavation of underground utility pipes / wires on your property outside the home. | A main sewer line under your front lawn ruptures due to tree roots or wear and tear. |
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