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Question: We have a water damage claim on a hazard policy caused by a sewer back-up due to excessive flooding in the area.

The homeowner's policy includes the following language:

"Exception to C.(6): Unless the loss is otherwise excluded, we cover loss to property covered under Coverage A or B resulting from an accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam from within a: (1) drain, or water, steam or sewer pipe, of the "residence premises"….

In the policy, water is defined as "flood, surface water, waves, including tidal wave and tsunami, tides, tidal water, overflow of any body of water, or spray from any of these, all whether or not driven by wind, including storm surge" … (along with) water that:

  1. Backs up through sewers or drains; or
  2. Overflows or is otherwise discharged from a sump, sump pump or related equipment;     

In your opinion, is the damage from the sewer water covered?

— Texas Subscriber

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