Does your homeowner’s insurance cover sewer backups?

Homeowner’s insurance helps protect your home, but sewer backups are often not covered under a standard policy. A sewer backup can cause serious damage to floors, walls, furniture, and personal belongings, and repairs can be expensive. Reviewing your coverage now, before a problem occurs, is a simple way to avoid an unwelcome surprise.

In most cases, sewer or drain backup coverage is an optional add-on to your homeowner’s insurance. If you are not sure what your current policy includes, the easiest step is to call your insurance agent and ask.

It is also worth knowing the difference between sewer backup coverage and flood insurance. Flood insurance covers water entering your home from outside, such as heavy rain or rising water levels. Sewer backup coverage applies when wastewater comes up through drains or toilets inside the home. They address different situations, and some households may benefit from having both.

You may also want to ask your agent about service line coverage, sometimes called sewer lateral coverage. The sewer lateral is the pipe running from your home to the City’s main sewer line, and homeowners are generally responsible for the portion on their property. Repairs to that pipe can be costly, and some insurers offer this protection as an add-on.

When you speak with your insurance agent, consider asking:

Does my policy cover sewer or drain backups?
If not, how much does it cost to add?
Do I have flood insurance, and how is it different from sewer backup coverage?
Is there coverage available for my sewer lateral?

Sewer backups can happen for a variety of reasons, including heavy rainfall, aging infrastructure, or items that were flushed or poured down drains. The City is committed to maintaining the public sewer system and works to address issues as they arise. Even so, backups can occasionally occur, and having the right coverage in place is one of the best ways to protect your home and your finances.

To learn more about preventing sewer backups, visit www.mt-pleasant.org/sewer

Fire Damages Summerhill Village Modular Home – No Injuries

On August 26, 2025, at 7:17 p.m. the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department (MPFD) responded to a structure fire in Summerhill Village’s 1200 block of Beaconhill Court.

Upon arrival, crews observed a modular home and surrounding grassy area on fire. The home sustained heavy smoke, fire, and water damage. Occupants of the home exited safely, and no injuries were sustained.

The grass fire caused heat damage to five neighboring modular homes.

The MPFD is investigating the cause of the fire.

The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department was assisted by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Deerfield Fire Department, Shepherd Tri-Township Fire Department, Mobile Medical Response, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, Isabella County Central Dispatch and Consumers Energy.

Mt. Pleasant Home Sustains Fire Damage

On December 27, 2023, at 5:44 p.m., the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department (MPFD) responded to a house fire in the 1100 block of E. Michigan Street.

Upon arrival, crews observed a single-story residence with fire exiting one window and heavy smoke coming from the eaves of the structure. The house sustained light smoke damage with heavy fire, smoke, and heat damage to the room where the fire originated.

The resident was not at home at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The MPFD was assisted by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Mobile Medical Response, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.