Your home’s sump pump helps prevent rainwater or groundwater from entering your basement and causing property damage. Water drains into your home’s sump pump pit and is then pumped out of your home and away from its foundation.
Like other appliances and systems in your home, sump pumps require regular maintenance.
How Often Should I Check My Sump Pump?
Consult the owner’s manual for specific guidance regarding maintaining your home’s sump pump. You can search for a digital copy online if you don’t have a hard copy. 
Here is some general sump pump maintenance guidance from the Sump and Sewage Pump Manufacturer’s Association (SSPMA):
- Monthly maintenance—If your sump pump handles water from a washing machine, you may need to clean the inlet opening or pump screen each month. Unplug your sump pump before cleaning.
- Quarterly maintenance—If your sump pump is set up to only handle groundwater and rainwater, clean the inlet opening or pump screen once every three months.
- Annual maintenance—Remove the sump pump from the pit and clean the pit and the pump. You may want to call the company that installed the pump to perform this routine maintenance and check that your sump pump is working correctly.
Does My Homeowners Insurance Policy Cover Damage Due to Sump Pump Failure?
In general, a standard homeowners insurance policy doesn’t cover a flooded basement or water damage due to sewer backup, overflow or sump pump failure.
Sump Pump Failure and Water Backup Endorsement
You can choose to add an endorsement to your homeowners insurance policy to cover sump pump failure. This rider provides protection if your sump pump fails and your home is damaged. If sump pump failure is due to negligence, however, your insurer may deny the claim.
Depending on the insurer, you may be able to eliminate or lower the deductible for this endorsement. You may also choose more coverage to handle the cost of replacing a malfunctioning sump pump. Doing so may increase the cost of the rider.
Get a Sump Pump Failure Endorsement
Contact the agents at Zachman Insurance Agency in St. Michael, Minnesota, today to learn more about how adding an endorsement to your policy may provide financial protection from sump pump failure.
This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.