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When Water Strikes Where You Least Expect It: Why ERIE’s Extended Water Coverage Could Save You Thousands

by Erie Insurance on October 13, 2025

Most homeowners don’t think much about water damage—until they’re standing ankle-deep in it.

Whether it’s a soaked carpet in the basement after a storm, a sump pump that couldn’t keep up or water pushing through the foundation, the damage can be serious—and expensive. And here’s a surprise for many: your standard homeowners policies often exclude these types of losses.

That’s where ERIE’s Extended Water coverage comes in.

This endorsement adds protection against water-related disasters that most typical homeowners insurance leaves out. And when you’re dealing with inches—or feet—of unwanted water, that extra layer of coverage can make all the difference.

What Does Extended Water Coverage Include?

Extended Water coverage[1] helps protect you from:

  • Water or sewage backing up through sewers or drains (where available).
  • Sump pump discharge or overflow (where available).
  • Inland flood and mudflow.

Coverage, sublimits, deductibles, and availability vary by state and by endorsement form; your policy controls:

  • Water backing up through drains or sewers
  • Overflows from a sump pump or other systems designed to remove water
  • Certain types of flood-related damage, including inland flooding

It’s not just about mopping up the mess. This coverage can also help pay for:

  • Repairs to your home and personal belongings
  • Additional living expenses if you need to temporarily relocate[2]
  • Reimbursement for prevention efforts, such as sandbags or pumps, if you try to stop flooding before it happens[3]

Best of all, coverage may extend to parts of your home and certain other structures, on your property and items stored in places like your basement, subject to limitations and conditions.

Real Homeowners. Real Experiences.

Samantha* bought her Pennsylvania home in 2022—right across the street from a designated flood zone. While her neighbors were required to have flood insurance, Samantha wasn’t.

Still, she reached out to her ERIE agent, who recommended Extended Water coverage. Adding it was quick and easy. Within a year, heavy rain caused a basement flood that damaged her carpet. She and her family tried to dry it themselves with industrial fans, which proved successful. Then it happened again—twice.

The third time, in April, she decided to file a claim.

“The process was so easy, I barely had to do anything,” Samantha recalls. “Jeremy (the adjuster) came out, looked at the damage and before I knew it, a check was on the way.”

Extended Water coverage replaced her carpet and turned what could have been a financial setback into a manageable situation.

‘I Don’t Live in a Flood Zone. Do I Still Need This?’

It’s a fair question. But here’s the truth: water doesn’t care about zone maps.

In fact, many water damage claims come from homes outside high-risk flood areas. Maybe the ground around your home doesn’t drain well. Maybe your neighborhood’s sewer system gets overwhelmed after heavy rain. Or maybe your basement is just vulnerable during spring thaws.

You don’t need to live near a river or lake to experience flooding. And without this coverage, you may end up paying out of pocket for damage your policy doesn’t cover.

Adding Extended Water Coverage Is Easy

Extended Water coverage can be added to your ErieSecure® Home policy—or adding it as part of an ErieSecure® Home Plus or Select bundle.

Your local ERIE agent can walk you through the options to make sure your policy fits your home, your risk factors and your peace of mind.

Because while you can’t always predict when water will come, you can plan ahead for what happens if it does.

*Customer’s last name withheld upon request. Customer experience is not a guarantee of future outcomes; claim decisions depend on the specific facts and your policy terms.

Do you have the coverage you need?

Discover great rates from local people who care. Get a free quote now.

ERIE® insurance products and services are provided by one or more of the following insurers: Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Company, Flagship City Insurance Company and Erie Family Life Insurance Company (home offices: Erie, Pennsylvania) or Erie Insurance Company of New York (home office: Rochester, New York).  The companies within the Erie Insurance Group are not licensed to operate in all states. Refer to the company licensure and states of operation information.

The insurance products and rates, if applicable, described in this blog are in effect as of the article’s publish date and may be changed at any time.

Insurance products are subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described in this blog. The policy contains the specific details of the coverages, terms, conditions and exclusions. 

The insurance products and services described in this blog are not offered in all states.  ERIE life insurance and annuity products are not available in New York.  ERIE Medicare supplement products are not available in the District of Columbia or New York.  ERIE long term care products are not available in the District of Columbia and New York. 

Eligibility will be determined at the time of application based upon applicable underwriting guidelines and rules in effect at that time.

Your ERIE agent can offer you practical guidance and answer questions you may have before you buy.

  1. 1

    Extended Water coverage endorsement does not satisfy mandatory flood insurance coverage should it be required by your federally regulated lender for your home mortgage or loan. This insurance product is not affiliated with the National Flood Insurance Program. Not available in all states. Extended Water coverage endorsement is not intended to provide coverage for damage caused by leaking or wet foundations or basements, water damage caused by normal wear and tear or other maintenance related damage. Insurance products are subject to terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, sub-limits not described here.

  2. 2

    Additional living expense is subject to terms, conditions, sub-limits and are limited in duration. The cause of the flood, as determined by ERIE, may impact the duration for which living expenses are paid after covered event.

  3. 3

    Reimbursement for flood avoidance is subject to certain conditions and limitations not mentioned in this article. Please talk to your ERIE agent. ERIE® insurance services are provided by one or more of the following insurers: Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Company and Erie Family Life Insurance Company (home offices: Erie, Pennsylvania) or Erie Insurance Company of New York (home office: Rochester, New York). Not all companies are licensed or operate in all states. Not all products or services are offered in all states. ERIE® life and annuity products are not available in New York. Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and territory information.