A busted sewer line can cost up to $30,000 to repair and replace. Understanding the aspects of your Illinois home insurance can result in some financial assistance if you're faced with a sewer line that needs to be replaced in your home.

Home insurance is highly customizable and has some complexities. An Illinois independent insurance agent can help you understand your existing coverage or set you up with a new policy if you need it. Agents are located across the state and know what coverage you need to protect you against busted sewer lines and other unexpected events.

If the Sewer Line in My Home Busts, Am I Responsible?

Even though you were not the person who installed the sewer lines in your home, it's your responsibility if there's a problem with them. As the homeowner, you take responsibility for any existing plumbing. Fortunately, your Illinois home insurance policy covers most incidents involving plumbing issues, so you're likely to have some help paying for the damage if you are insured.

While home insurance may help pay for the damage, it will not pay to replace the sewer line. There are also exclusions in coverage for sewer backups that you'll want to review with your agent.

Is the City/County/State Ever Responsible for Broken Sewer Lines?

On a rare occasion, a busted sewer line may be the fault of the city, county, or state where you live, but only if it's not located on your property. Home sewer lines eventually meet with the main underground sewer pipes that carry waste and wastewater to your municipality's treatment plant. The city is responsible for the pipes starting at the main underground line.

The city may also be responsible if your property contains a freshwater easement. Easements provide fresh water to the city but are sometimes located on an individual's property. If one of these pipes burst, it would be considered the city's pipe and their responsibility.

How Much Does Sewage Line Repair Typically Cost?

Sewer lines can become very expensive to repair, especially if you need to fully replace the line. If you need to repair and replace a main sewer line, here's what it can cost.

Cost to repair a main sewer line

• $50-$150 per foot, on average
• $2,250 – $5,750 average total cost to repair

Cost to replace a main sewer line

• $50 to $200 per foot, on average
• $3,000 to $30,000 total cost to replace

Sewer lines are expensive to fix because they involve a lot of manual labor. A professional needs to dig up the existing pipe, including tearing out concrete or other property and replacing piping. 

In addition to the initial cost, you need to think about costs associated with repairing a sewer line. You probably will not be able to remain in the home while the repairs are being done. Ultimately, the more severe the damage and the longer it will take to replace, the higher the overall cost. 

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover in Illinois?

Home insurance is made up of four main coverages that help protect your home, property, and the stuff inside your home against several events, including plumbing issues. The four main coverages in a standard homeowners policy include: 

• Liability protection: Liability coverage reimburses legal costs, including attorney, court, and settlement fees, if a third party sues you.
• Additional living expenses (ALE): If you needed to temporarily leave your home after a covered event, you'd have increased expenses for hotel rooms, gas for commuting to work, meals, and other costs. ALE reimburses you for these extra costs. 
• Dwelling coverage: Protects the structure of your home, including detached structures and built-in appliances, against perils like storm damage, busted pipe damage, fire, vandalism, etc.
• Contents coverage: This coverage protects your belongings like clothing, furniture, rugs, decor, collections, etc., from disasters like fire, theft, vandalism, busted pipe damage, etc. 

How Much of the Damage Is My Financial Responsibility?

If the sewer line is located on your property, you'll be financially responsible for all the damage and for repairing the line. As we mentioned earlier, home insurance may cover some of the damage from a busted pipe, but there are several exclusions, especially when it comes to sewer backups. Insurance will never pay or reimburse for the cost to replace plumbing. For any of the damage that would be covered, you'd first be responsible for your home insurance deductible, and then you'd receive coverage up to the property damage limits in your structure and contents coverages.

To help with the costs of damage, we recommend talking to an agent about adding a sewer backup endorsement to your home insurance policy. This policy helps pay for physical loss to property from backups through sewers and drains located in the home, as well as overflows from sump pumps or other systems located in the home or on the home premises. 

How Common Are Sewage Line Busts in Illinois?

A surprising number of sewer lines bust every day in the US. Events such as weather changes, old piping, and overgrown tree roots, result in more than 850 sewage line breaks every day. 

You may be able to prevent a sewage line bust or catch it before it becomes a catastrophe by understanding the seven most common signs of sewer line problems. 

7 common signs of sewer line problems

1. Sewage backups and blockages: You know you have a backup or blockage when you have standing water in one of your drains or your toilet overflows. 
2. Sewer gas odor: If you smell gas in or around your home, you're likely to have a sewer problem that needs to be looked into immediately.
3. Mold problem: Mold on your ceiling or walls can signify a sewer leak or break.
4. Slow drain: Slow draining from your toilet, sinks, and bathtub can be a sign of a problem in your pipes. 
5. Extra-green grass patches: Patches of green, lush grass usually mean that water is not being properly distributed across your property. 
6. Foundation cracks: A crack in your walls, ceiling, or foundation can be a clear sign of sewer problems and deterioration.
7. Rodent and insect problems: Rats and mice like to live in the sewer drains. If the pipes are broken, you could experience an increase in rodents in your home.

Why Work with an Illinois Independent Insurance Agent?

Busted pipes can cause costly damage to your home and property and your neighbors' property. Home insurance for plumbing issues exists, but an Illinois independent insurance agent can help you understand your exact coverage and review your policy limits. They can also help you get set up with any endorsements that can help provide further protection.

Agents are located across the state and have worked with a network of insurance carriers. They know who has a good reputation for offering quality coverage at affordable rates. Whether you need your current home insurance policy reviewed or want to get set up with new coverage, an agent can help you with all of your insurance needs.