Out of sight, out of mind is the mentality of many of us after we flush or pour something down the drain.
Protect Your Home From Unexpected & Costly Repairs with Service Line Coverage Enhancement
Our quickly forgotten items begin a new journey through our city sewage pipes to the wastewater treatment center. Many believe that if it fits down the drain, its flush-able. That’s not always the case. Above ground, we are unaware of what we allow to move through the plumbing of our underground sewage system. Harmful chemicals and solid, greasy, or sticky substances can clog the channels and result in blockages that can spill over into our streets and yards. Toilet paper is specifically designed to disintegrate in water; however, medication, chemicals, paper tissues, sanitary products, and diapers are not. These types of materials can get caught at a sharp turn in the pipes or tangle with other debris and create a significant obstruction that will impede the flow of water through the pipes. Creating a large hindrance to the flow of the pipes can have hazardous results. For many homeowners, we assume that our Homeowners Insurance policies will provide help when a clog occurs. These types of blockages are typically not covered by the policy. The best solution for all homeowners is to opt-in to the service coverage offered by your local utility company that offer protection of your service lines underground. It’s referred to as Service Line Coverage and this coverage can help protect you from an unexpected loss caused by a service line failure. Coverage can extend to the underground piping, wiring, or attached devices that connect your home to a utility service provider. Most homeowners are unaware that they are responsible for these connections including their upkeep and repair. Coverage may be available for the following examples of compromised underground utility systems:
♦ A tree root grew through a sewer pipe located on the homeowner’s premise causing it to leak. The sewer line was 200’ long and required a backhoe to dig up the damaged piping and replace it. The cost to replace the sewer line was $1,750 and the excavation cost totaled $4,050.
Loss: $5,800
Deductible: $500
Insurance Recoverable: $5,300
♦ During a cold spell, the pipe connecting the public water pipe from the street to the home sustained freeze damage resulting in rupture. The homeowner had to have the water line replaced. The cost to replace the water line was $1,000 and the excavation cost $3,900. The contractor had to remove a number of trees and shrubs before beginning the excavation process. The replacement cost for the trees and shrubs were $950. The homeowner also had to stay in a hotel for two nights for a total cost of $750.
Loss: $6,600
Deductible: $500
Insurance Recoverable: $6,100
♦ An underground power line providing electrical service to the home significantly deteriorated over time and resulted in arcing, which interrupted electrical service to the home. The underground power line had to be excavated and replaced due to extensive damage discovered during the repair work. The cost to replace the power line was $2,500. The excavation cost totaled $5,300.
Loss: $7,800
Deductible: $500
Insurance Recoverable: $7,300