If a sewer line busts in your Mississippi home, you'll probably be responsible for the damage. However, how much coverage you receive and from where can be tricky to understand.

The easiest way to navigate home insurance is with a Mississippi independent insurance agent. Agents work with homeowners across the state to secure coverage, file claims, and review their policies. Here's what you need to know about broken sewer lines, home insurance, and how an agent can help.

Who’s Responsible If My Home’s Sewage Line Busts?

Unfortunately, your home's sewage lines are your responsibility, so you're responsible if they bust. The good news is that Mississippi home insurance typically covers busts that stem from plumbing issues. 

Home insurance will cover the damage, but it will not pay to repair or replace the actual plumbing. Broken pipes can lead to flooding and other damage to your home and those around you. 

Is It Ever the City/County/State’s Responsibility?

The only time that a busted sewage line may not be considered your responsibility is if it's not on your property. Specifically, the city is responsible for sewer lines starting at the main underground sewer pipe.  This line carries waste and wastewater to your municipality's treatment plant.  

Another example of where a city would be responsible is if there are freshwater easements on the corners of properties. These easements provide a freshwater line, which has been installed by the city, providing a freshwater line from the city into the home. If the bust occurred in the city's piping, then the city could be held responsible. 

How Much Does Sewage Line Repair or Replacement Cost?

Replacing a sewage line can quickly get expensive because it includes digging up the existing pipe, finding the problem, repairing the problem, and reassembling the property.

The average cost of repair is $2,556, but prices can increase up to $25,000 depending on the type of damage and the extent of the repair. It's also likely you will not be able to remain in the home full time while the repairs occur. 

Since home insurance only covers the damage, prices increase the more plumbing you need to replace. Often, sewage line breaks are caused by tree roots that have grown into the line. This adds time and money to the repairs as well. 

Will My Rates Be Affected Even Though I’m Not Responsible for the Bust?

Increasing insurance rates are a widespread concern after having to file an insurance claim. Fortunately, singular events like this do not tend to result in spiked insurance rates. 

The times when a busted sewage line would flag the company to increase your rates is if it becomes a continual issue. If you needed to file multiple sewage line break claims over a short period, you would likely begin to see increases in your insurance premiums. 

How Common Are Sewage Line Busts in Mississippi?

Sewage line breaks may be more common than you think. In fact, more than 850 sewage line breaks occur in North America every single day. Events from weather changes to old piping, tree roots, and just bad luck can all result in busted sewage lines. Knowing the first signs of sewer line problems may help prevent a bust before it occurs.

7 common signs of sewer line problems

1. Sewage backups and blockages: If your shower ends with you standing in a puddle of water that won't drain, you're likely to have a blockage or a backup. Blockages can happen in specific drains or your main plumbing line.
2. Sewer gas odor: Smelling gas in or around your home is not a typical odor. This is a sure sign that it's time to check your sewer lines.
3. Mold problem: If you notice mold on your ceiling or walls, it could signify a sewer leak or break.
4. Slow drain: If the drains in your home are slow, this could also be a sign of a sewer problem. Pay attention to your toilet, bathtub, and sinks for slow drains.
5. Extra-green grass patches: If your yard looks patchy with green, lush grass, you could have sewer issues resulting in extra water in those patchy places. 
6. Foundation cracks: A crack in your walls, ceiling, and foundation can be a clear sign of sewer problems and deterioration.
7. Rodent and insect problems: It may not be appealing to think about, but 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.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover in Mississippi?

We started to discuss how Mississippi homeowners insurance may cover busted sewer lines, but home insurance protects your home and your stuff from a number of events. Home insurance can be customized to meet individual needs, but the standard coverage components include: 

• Liability protection: Liability coverage protects you against lawsuits filed by third parties. Coverage reimburses legal costs, such as attorney, court, and settlement fees.
• Additional living expenses (ALE): This coverage reimburses you for extra costs if your home is temporarily uninhabitable because of a covered disaster. Costs like hotel rooms, additional gas for commuting to work, meal takeout, and more are all covered.
• Dwelling coverage: This coverage protects the home’s structure from perils like storm damage, busted pipe damage, fire, vandalism, etc.
• Contents coverage: This coverage section of your policy protects your belongings like clothing, furniture, rugs, decor, collections, etc., from disasters like fire, theft, vandalism, busted pipe damage, etc. 

As we mentioned earlier, home insurance will only cover the damage that a busted pipe causes. It will not pay or reimburse for the cost to replace plumbing.

Why Work with a Mississippi Independent Insurance Agent?

Busted pipes can wreak havoc on your home and your property. A Mississippi independent insurance agent can ensure that you have as much protection as available through your home insurance. Agents work with you, free of charge, to help you understand your options and find you coverage.

Agents will shop multiple carriers to pull you a variety of insurance quotes. They know the companies to work with and the best policies depending on your individual needs. The best part is that agents are there for you even when you have to file a claim. They can help you work with your insurance carrier to make sure you're receiving the coverage you paid for.