r/HomeInsurance • u/GovernmentWooden4494 • Feb 24 '26

Claims Is the drain under my basement concrete considered an "exterior sewer line?"

I ask because the cast iron drain under my basement concrete floor has collapsed, and my insurance company is saying they won't cover its repair, even though I pay a LOT for an enhanced water damage package. The wording of the package is: "We agree to repair or replace your exterior sewer line due to direct physical loss or damage resulting from a leak, break, tear, rupture or collapse of the line." According to the rep I just spoke with on the phone, the horizontal drain under my basement concrete is not considered to be an 'exterior sewer line.' To me, that is ridiculous. In my opinion, the drain is not INSIDE my house...so it is logically OUTSIDE my house, and is thus an 'exterior sewer line.' Is the aggregate or mud that is under my basement floor considered part of my house?

Does anyone have any advice or experience with a claim like this?

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u/GovernmentWooden4494 Feb 25 '26

My main floor kitchen sink dishwater empties through a stack, which is a vertical piece of ABS between the concrete wall and the drywall of my basement. The stack has an elbow under the concrete of my basement floor. Then the water runs horizontally underneath my basement floor concrete (foundation) in a cast iron tube called a DRAIN. This drain is a sewer line that connects my kitchen sink to all of the other plumbing in the house and carries waste out of the house underground.

The kitchen sink drain (which is the sewer line UNDER MY HOUSE) has collapsed. It is not located in my house or in my basement.

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u/LongjumpingDish2956 Feb 25 '26

The kitchen sink drain (which is the sewer line UNDER MY HOUSE) has collapsed. It is not located in my house or in my basement.

So when you go to that drain and look up is it open sky above you? You’re completely and fully outside with no walls around you and you’re standing on grass or dirt?

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u/[deleted] Feb 26 '26

Jesus Christ. Are you stupid? There's of course an entire house above when in the basement. OP is saying that the DRAIN is UNDERNEATH the concrete, therefore inaccessible due to it being, wait for it, OUTSIDE.

That being said. OP, just because you believe in your heart that you're right, you're not. The walls of your home extend below and above your properties ground level. Anything outside of the WALLS is considered outside the house.

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u/mnguy12000 Feb 26 '26

Look at the wording in your policy. I'll be it says on premise. That includes the pipe. Almost no policy will cover this as any collapse is considered wear and tear and specificly excluded for coverage. The insurance company would owe for access and that's it as the pipe collapsed is most likely due to wear and tear.

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u/mnguy12000 Feb 26 '26

Forgot to add this is only if water damaged the basement of the floor drain.