On Veterans Day, a major water main break occurred near Culver Road and Meredith Street in Rochester, releasing over 2 million gallons of water into the surrounding area. This incident resulted in 10 flooded basements and left 36 homes without water service. While the City of Rochester investigates the delayed response to the break, affected homeowners are left dealing with the aftermath and costly damage.
If your property was impacted by this event, here is what you need to know about handling your insurance claim and what options may be available for additional compensation through the City of Rochester.
Step 1: Start with Your Homeowners Insurance Company
Depending on how the water entered your home, your insurance coverage could vary:
- This event may technically qualify as a flood (since multiple properties were affected).
- However, most homes in this part of Rochester are not located in high-risk flood zones, and as a result, most homeowners do not carry flood insurance.
If the water entered through a basement drain or your sump pump was overwhelmed, it would likely be categorized as a Sewer and Drain Backup claim under your homeowners insurance policy.
Important: Sewer and drain backup coverage is not automatically included in standard homeowners insurance policies. It must be purchased as an additional endorsement.
What to check on your policy:
- Is Sewer & Drain Backup coverage included?
- What is the limit of coverage? (Many policies only cover up to $5,000.)
- Do you have enough coverage to repair or replace damaged items in your basement?
For homes with finished basements, it’s strongly recommended to have $25,000 to $50,000 or more in backup coverage.
Step 2: File a Claim with the City of Rochester (If Needed)
After you’ve filed a claim with your homeowners insurance company and received a determination, you may find that your insurance doesn’t fully cover the total cost of the damage.
In that case, you can file a claim with the City of Rochester to seek reimbursement for the uncovered balance.
The city has made a Notice of Claim form available through its Law Department:
Final Thoughts
Water damage events like this one serve as a reminder of the importance of knowing what’s in your insurance policy. Many homeowners only discover gaps in their coverage when it’s too late.
Take time to review your policy today. Ensure you have Sewer and Drain Backup coverage at a level that makes sense for your home — especially if your basement is finished or contains valuable property.
And if you were affected by the Culver Road water main break, start with your insurance provider and follow up with the City of Rochester only if necessary. Having the right steps in place now can help you recover more quickly and protect your home in the future.
