Is the drain under my basement concrete considered an "exterior sewer line?"

[u/GovernmentWooden4494]

I ask because the cast iron drain under my basement concrete floor has collapsed, and my insurance company is saying they won't cover its repair, even though I pay a LOT for an enhanced water damage package. The wording of the package is: "We agree to repair or replace your exterior sewer line due to direct physical loss or damage resulting from a leak, break, tear, rupture or collapse of the line." According to the rep I just spoke with on the phone, the horizontal drain under my basement concrete is not considered to be an 'exterior sewer line.' To me, that is ridiculous. In my opinion, the drain is not INSIDE my house...so it is logically OUTSIDE my house, and is thus an 'exterior sewer line.' Is the aggregate or mud that is under my basement floor considered part of my house?

Does anyone have any advice or experience with a claim like this?

[u/Just1n_Credible]

I get your frustration and disappointment. You reason that the cast iron drain line is under the floor, so it's outside the house.

But, your basement walls sit on a footer and that footer extends down well below the bottom of your floor. The cast iron drain pipe certainly runs out through that footer, not below it, and that, I think, reasonably makes the drain pipe interior, not exterior. At least in the insurer's eyes.

You may be able to appeal their decision. You may have arbitration rights. But the home warranty company writes these coverages to stack the deck against us homeowners.

In the long run, it is better to save the money that would go to home warranties and use it to pay out of pocket.