It’s that time of year when we tend to see heavy rainstorms in our 
area. Along with those heavy rains, we see a lot of flooded basements caused by water backing up through the sewers and sump pump systems.
Some policies do provide insurance coverage for these types of losses. But, they are often limited and sometimes carry a heavy deductible. Plus, the insurance won’t cover your time and aggravation in having to deal with the water in your basement.
If you have a sump pump system, now would be a good time to check it to be sure it is working properly. In addition, if you have a battery backup, you should check the battery to be sure that it is working and fully charged. Many batteries require some maintenance including adding water and will wear out over time. If you have a separate backup pump, you’ll want to test it to make sure that it will work in an emergency as well.
If you live in an area that experiences a lot of power outages, consider purchasing a small gas powered electric generator. You can use these to not only power your sump pump, but also other appliances such as your refrigerator to keep your frozen food from thawing out.
Remember, “In times of peace prepare for war.” Don’t wait for the storm to hit to find out if these important protections against water damage are working.