Order summary
Ontario home policies commonly cover sudden and accidental water damage from inside the house, such as a burst pipe. Sewer backup is often an optional add-on. Overland flooding, meaning water coming over the ground into the house, is usually a separate coverage again. Gradual leaks and lack of maintenance are commonly excluded. Your own policy wording is what counts, so ask your insurer or broker directly.
Numbered steps
- Find your policy wording. Look for the sections on water damage, sewer backup and overland water.
- Ask your broker four questions. Do I have sewer backup coverage? Do I have overland water coverage? What are the limits and deductibles? Do you require or discount for a backwater valve or sump pump?
- Note what the insurer asks of you. Some policies expect working sump pumps, backflow devices or regular maintenance.
- Keep records. Save invoices for plumbing work, especially backwater valves, sumps and water heater replacements.
- Photograph the basement. A few photos of finishes and contents make a claim easier later.
Plumber's tip: If water is coming in now: shut off the main water if it is from your pipes, stay out of standing water near electrical outlets, then call your insurer and a plumber. Our emergency leaflet has the order of steps.
Errors we see on site
- Assuming you are covered. Many people only learn they lack sewer backup coverage after the first flood.
- Throwing out damaged items too early. Photograph everything and ask your adjuster before disposal.
- Waiting to report. Policies usually require prompt notice.
- Ignoring slow leaks. A drip that has stained a ceiling for months may be treated as gradual damage.
- Skipping the plumber's report. A clear written note of the cause helps the adjuster.
Insurers want to know if you have a backwater valve and a sump pump because these devices lower the chance of a sewer backup claim. Whether that means a lower premium or eligibility for certain coverage depends on the insurer.
Review coverage each year at renewal, and again after any renovation. Finishing a basement can raise the value of what is at risk well above the limit you chose when the space was bare concrete. A rental suite downstairs may also change what the insurer needs to know about the house.
Keep a simple file: policy summary, broker contact, plumbing invoices, and photos. When something goes wrong, you want all of it in one place.
When the desk should come out
Call right away for active leaks and backups. Once the water is stopped, we write up what failed and why: which pipe, which valve, where the backup came in. That written cause is often what your adjuster needs.
For prevention, see basement flood prevention and backwater valve installation. If a backup came through the main line, a camera look and hydro jetting may be needed to find and clear the cause.
Call (365) 517-5705.
Quick checklist
- Photograph before cleanup
- Keep failed parts for the adjuster
- Ask what your policy says about sewer backup
Your questions on this one
Will my insurer pay for a backwater valve?
Usually not as a claim item, but some insurers offer better terms to homes that have one. The City's subsidy program has helped some owners with the cost.
Do you deal with the insurance company directly?
We provide a written report and invoice you can submit. Your claim itself stays between you and your insurer.