Does Homeowners Insurance Cover a Well Going Dry?

Owning a home with a private well comes with great freedom – you get your water supply without relying on the local utility However, it also comes with responsibility. If your well runs dry, you’re on the hook for fixing it or drilling a new one, which can cost thousands of dollars

This leaves many homeowners wondering: does my homeowners insurance policy cover a well going dry?

Unfortunately, the answer is generally no. Standard home insurance policies only cover sudden damage due to disasters like fires, storms, or vandalism. They don’t cover gradual deterioration or natural depletion of your well over time.

In this article, we’ll explain in detail what causes wells to go dry, when insurance may provide coverage, and steps you can take to prevent having to file a claim.

What Causes a Well to Go Dry?

There are a few main reasons private wells can suddenly stop producing water

• Lowering of Water Table: The water table drops during droughts or seasons when usage is higher. This causes the static water level in the well to fall below the pump intake.

• Well Construction Issues: Improper well depth, diameter, or seal allows groundwater to escape. Nearby drilling can also intersect fractures supplying water.

• Pump Failure: Age, wear and tear, corrosion, or power surges can cause pump failure, disrupting water flow.

• Natural Depletion: Water sources like underground springs or aquifers supplying the well can simply dry up over time. This often occurs gradually.

• Soil/Bedrock Changes: Soil settling, erosion, or shifting bedrock can restrict water from refilling the well.

When Home Insurance Does Cover a Dry Well

While a naturally dry well isn’t covered, there are some scenarios where homeowners insurance would pay for repairs or replacement:

• Lightning: If lightning damages the well or pump, causing loss of water, repairs would be covered.

• Fire: Heat from a nearby fire that warps or melts plastic components would be covered.

• Falling Trees/Objects: If a storm topples a tree onto the well or pump house, crushing the structure, insurance would pay.

• Vandalism: Deliberate damage or sabotage that leaves the well dysfunctional falls under standard vandalism coverage.

• Vehicle Impact: A car accidentally backing into the well would be considered a covered loss.

• Digging Accidents: Construction crews accidentally severing water lines leading to the well would be covered.

In these situations, the sudden physical damage from a hazard disrupts the water supply. As long as the originating peril is covered by your policy, repairs or replacement of the damaged well components would be reimbursed up to your coverage limits.

When Home Insurance Won’t Cover a Dry Well

As we mentioned earlier, home insurance excludes gradual depletion or drying up of a well over time. Additionally, the following causes of a dry well would not be covered:

• Drought: Lack of rain lowering the water table is considered a natural environmental cause rather than an insurable loss.

• Overuse: Drawing too much water from the well exceeding the recharge rate would not be covered.

• Underground Shifts: Gradual settling, erosion, or earth movements altering underground water flows are excluded perils.

• Nearby Drilling: A new well drilled on a neighbor’s property redirecting water is not considered accidental damage.

• Wear and Tear: Gradual mineral buildup, corrosion, or pump motor failure from regular use is not covered.

• Improper Maintenance: Failure to maintain the well, treat water, or repair the pump when needed would not be reimbursed.

• Improper Construction: Original well construction issues or improper sealing leading to cracks are excluded as pre-existing conditions.

In these situations, the well runs dry due to gradual, natural, or maintenance-related causes rather than a sudden insured loss. You’d be responsible for any repairs or drilling of a new well.

Will My Insurance Cover a New Well?

If your current well covered under your policy runs dry beyond repair due to lightning, fire, or other disaster, insurance will typically reimburse the cost of drilling a brand new well. They must determine the original well cannot be salvaged before covering full replacement.

However, if your well gradually runs dry due to lack of rain or overuse, your insurer will not pay for a new well to be drilled. That would be considered a maintenance cost you’re responsible for as part of owning a home with a private well.

How Much Does It Cost to Drill a New Well?

The cost to drill a new residential well can range from $3,000 to over $15,000 depending on depth, terrain, materials, and other factors. Here are some average price ranges:

• Shallow Well (50 feet): $3,000 – $6,000

• Medium Well (100-300 feet): $6,000 – $12,000

• Deep Well (Over 300 feet): $8,000 – $15,000+

• Specialty Materials: Stainless steel casing, tile lining, or cast iron pumps add $2,000 – $6,000

You can reduce costs by using PVC casing rather than steel, going with a submersible pump over turbine, and drilling in soft, sandy soil versus hard bedrock. But overall, it’s still a major unexpected expense if your insurer denies a claim.

Tips to Prevent Your Well from Running Dry

While you can’t completely guarantee an uninterrupted water supply, you can take proactive measures to reduce the risk of your well running dry:

• Perform annual inspections and maintenance to identify issues early.

• Install a liner to prevent collapse and encroaching roots.

• Check static water levels seasonally to monitor any drops.

• Treat runoff directed away from the well and surrounding soil.

• Disinfect the well to inhibit bacterial growth.

• Repair any cracks or gaps in the well head or cap.

• Limit landscaping water usage during peak seasons.

• Stagger usage of high demand appliances.

• Consider rainwater harvesting as a supplemental source.

With vigilant monitoring and care, you can maximize your well’s lifespan and water production. But know repairs or replacement costs may not be reimbursable by insurance if natural drying occurs.

Is Special Well Insurance Available?

Some homeowners opt to buy add-on well insurance available from certain carriers like Erie, Allstate, and Farmers. These endorsements or riders can cover common issues leading to dry wells that standard policies don’t, including:

• Lack of rain or drought drying up water supply

• Excessive draw down beyond recharge rate

• Nearby drilling redirecting supply

• Gradual shifts, settling, or erosion of soil

• Wear and tear or aging of well components

The cost for add-on well coverage ranges from $50 to $100 per year above your base premium. If affordable, it can provide valuable protection against expensive repair bills.

The Bottom Line

Unfortunately, home insurance does not cover wells gradually running dry due to natural changes in the environment or water table. Protection is limited to sudden damage from disasters described in your policy.

Preventative maintenance is crucial for avoiding unreimbursable repair costs if your well goes dry. Consider add-on well insurance for more complete coverage against a wider range of causes. And know you may need to pay thousands out of pocket to drill a new well if your coverage exclusions apply.

With a proactive approach and an understanding of applicable insurance protections, you can limit surprises and keep your well supplying water reliably for years to come. Contact a qualified well contractor for professional inspections and repairs when needed.