Lancaster County sits on a mix of river valleys, creeks, and limestone bedrock, so heavy rain can affect homes in more than one way. Water can rise from outside, back up through drains, or wash away soil and open a sinkhole. Each of these problems is usually handled by a different type of coverage, and knowing the difference helps homeowners close gaps before the next storm.<\/p>\n
| Type of Damage<\/th>\n | What It Often Looks Like<\/th>\n | Where Coverage Usually Comes From<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n |
|---|---|---|
| Flood<\/td>\n | Rising water from a creek, river, or heavy surface runoff entering the home<\/td>\n | A separate flood policy through the NFIP or a private insurer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Sewer or water backup<\/td>\n | Water coming up through floor drains, toilets, or a failed sump pump<\/td>\n | A water backup endorsement on a homeowners policy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Sinkhole<\/td>\n | Ground collapse or settling as water dissolves limestone and carries soil away<\/td>\n | A sinkhole endorsement, where available<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Standard homeowners policies generally exclude all three without added coverage.<\/p>\n When the Lines Blur<\/h2>\n |