Service Line Coverage for Homeowners – Home Insurance Add-On

 

Service Line Coverage for Homeowners

Home Insurance Add-On

  • Helps pay to fix damaged underground service lines
  • Insure sewer pipes, water lines, and power lines

         

What does service line insurance cover?

Service lines bring water and power to homes, and they can take sewage away. Service line insurance is an optional coverage that helps pay for repairs and replacement.

How Service Line Coverage Protects You

Most Americans don’t know that homeowners are responsible for service lines on their property. This optional coverage can help you be prepared.

Frost Heave and Line Freezing

This event can shift the ground,
causing sewer lines to “heave” upwards and possibly
become damaged.
Sewer line insurance can cover repairs f
or these types of extreme weather conditions.

Corrosion and Rust

Over time, iron and steel-based sewer lines can oxidize and corrode.
Small holes develop and fluid can leak out, further damaging the pipe.

The standard service line policy may cover these cases.

Root and Tree Invasion

Active leaks in sewer lines may attract nearby tree roots. Outgrowths can infiltrate tiny crevices in pipes, then crack them as they grow and expand.

The standard service line policy may help with sealing these entry points.

Helps pay to fix damaged underground service lines. Insure sewer pipes, water lines, and power lines.

When buying a home, most inspections focus on the visible aspects of the property, but what about the parts you can’t see? Beneath your feet, essential lines bring water, electricity, and gas to your home, making it livable. These underground service lines are critical, but damage to them is often overlooked – until it’s too late. That’s where Service Line Coverage comes into play.

What Is Service Line Coverage?

Service lines refer to the pipes and cables that transport water, electricity, gas, and even telecommunications to your home. While most people assume these are covered under their standard homeowner’s insurance, they usually aren’t. This optional coverage helps pay for the costly repairs and replacements when something goes wrong underground.

Why You Might Need It?

Service lines are prone to hidden problems, including:

– Wear and Tear: Over time, pipes and cables naturally deteriorate due to age, weather conditions, and corrosion.
– Tree Root Invasion: Roots can infiltrate your sewer lines, causing significant damage.
– Freezing and Pressure: Harsh winters can cause pipes to freeze or burst due to pressure changes in the soil.

The cost to repair or replace a service line can range from $4,000 to $7,500 for issues like sewer line damage, depending on factors like depth, length, and complexity of the repair. Without coverage, homeowners are left to shoulder the financial burden.

 How Service Line Coverage Protects You

✅ Covered Events Include:

  • Rust and corrosion
  • Freeze damage and frost heave
  • Mechanical or electrical breakdowns
  • Tree root damage

 

What’s ❌ Not Covered:

  • Damage caused by negligence or intentional acts, routine maintenance, and issues on public property outside your home’s boundary are typically excluded.
  • Damage to service lines that aren’t underground
  • Pre-existing conditions

How Can a Home Inspection Help?

Though a home inspection won’t assess the condition of underground service lines, it can identify red flags, like tree roots close to your foundation or signs of soil movement, that might indicate future risks. This helps you make informed decisions about adding service line coverage to your homeowner’s policy.

Quick Facts and FAQs

  • Common Warning Signs: Slow drainage, toilets failing to flush properly, or sudden loss of electrical power could signal service line issues.
  • What’s Covered: Water, gas, sewage, electrical, internet, and telecommunications lines are typically included in service line coverage.
  • Municipal Responsibility: In most areas, service line repairs within your property are the homeowner’s responsibility, not the city’s.

Service line coverage provides peace of mind

by protecting you from unexpected, costly repairs. It’s a relatively small investment that can prevent significant financial strain down the road. Contact your insurance provider to explore bundling service line coverage with your existing homeowner’s insurance.

Recent Posts

Service Line Coverage for Homeowners – Home Insurance Add-On

show more

The Importance of Radon and Mold Testing in Property Safety Checks for Howard County Residents

show more

Why Radon Testing is Crucial for Your Maryland Home

show more

Understand the Importance of Service Line Coverage (Especially in Older Homes)

show more