Safeco · Service Line Coverage - Water and Sewage Line Endorsement

Service line coverage is typically less than $3 per month to add to your existing homeowners policy and could save you thousands if your service lines ever have a problem.

Let's spare a moment for something most of us use every day yet probably take for granted: our service lines.

We rely on them for access to water, gas, Internet connection, and more, but only think about them when service is interrupted.

Did you know that, as a homeowner, you are responsible for the maintenance, repair, and replacement of service lines connecting to your house?

Energy Companies and other service providers are only responsible for the infrastructure up to where it connects to your property.

That means that if one of your pipes freezes or your sewer line backs up into your house, you have to pay to fix it.

Let's say you have a mature tree on the parking strip in front of your house and its roots have penetrated into your main water line.

Service line coverage would pay for the excavation, the new pipe, labor, and even the costs of any outdoor property damaged as a result of the leak.

Service line coverage protects you from damages that occur to your service lines running from the point of connection to the main service or utility line up to your home.

Is the city responsible for my repairs to my service lines?

No. The city is not responsible for repairing your service lines (water and sewer lines).

Does my homeowners insurance policy cover repairs to my service lines?

No. Your homeowners insurance policy does not typically provide coverage for repairing your service lines (water and sewer lines). 

Unless specifically added, homeowners insurance will not pay for the excavation and repair of those pipes even though it’s the homeowner's responsibility.

What are my options for sewer and water line coverage?

There are a couple of options that the Cowdell Insurance Agency can offer you. One of those options is a recently introduced service line endorsement by Safeco insurance. 

Service line endorsement usually only costs around $30 per year

Here is a quick description of the endorsement:

We (Safeco) cover up to $12,000 for physical loss or damage to your covered service line that is the direct result of a service line failure. 

What is a “Covered service line”?

1. Covered service line means exterior underground piping and wiring, including permanent connections, valves, or attached devices providing one of the following services to your residence premises:

   1. Communications, including cable transmission, data transmission, internet access, and telecommunications;

   2. Compressed air;

   3. Drainage;

   4. Electrical power;

   5. Heating, including geothermal, natural gas, propane, and steam;

   6. Waste disposal; or

   7. Water.

2. A covered service line must be owned by you or you must be responsible for its repair or replacement as required by law, regulation, or service agreement. Should repair or replacement be your responsibility, a covered service line ends at the precise location where your responsibility for such repair or replacement ends. However, in no event will a covered service line extend beyond the point of connection to the main service or utility line.

3. A covered service line does not include:

   1. That part of piping or wiring that runs through or under a body of water, including but not limited to, a swimming pool, pond, or lake;

   2. That part of piping or wiring that runs through or under the dwelling or other structure, other than walkways and driveways;

   3. Piping or wiring that is not connected and ready for use;

   4. Septic systems, including leach fields, septic tanks, pumps, motors, or piping that runs from the septic tank to the leach fields, other than covered waste disposal piping running from your dwelling or other structure to a septic tank;

   5. Water wells, including well pumps or motors;

   6. Heating and cooling systems, including heat pumps; or

   7. Sprinkler system pumps, motors, or heads.

However, we do not cover:

1. Additional costs incurred for loss or increased usage of water, natural gas, propane, or any other service caused by or resulting from a service line failure;

2. Extra cost to alter or relocate covered service lines, unless alteration or re-location is required by ordinance or law;

3. Loss or damage to a covered service line that is damaged while it is being installed, dismantled, or repaired. However, this shall not apply if a covered service line failure necessitated such installation, dismantling, or repair; or

4. Clean up or remove pollutants or contaminants, hazardous waste, or sewage.

“One service line failure” means: When an initial service line failure which causes other service line failures, all will be considered one service line failure. All service line failures that are the result of the same event will be considered one service line failure.

“Service line failure” means a leak, break, tear, rupture, collapse, or arcing of a covered service line not otherwise excluded. A service line failure may be caused by, but is not limited to, the following perils:

1. Wear and tear, marring, deterioration, or hidden decay;

2. Rust or other corrosion;

3. Mechanical breakdown, latent defect, or inherent vice;

4. Weight of vehicles, equipment, animals, or people;

5. Vermin, insects, rodents, or other animals;

6. Artificially generated electrical current;

7. Freezing or frost heave;

8. The external force from a shovel, backhoe, or other forms of excavation; or

9. Tree or other root invasion.

Service line failure does not include blockage or low pressure of a covered service line when there is no physical damage to the covered service line.

All other provisions of this policy apply.

Please note that this is only a portion of the endorsement. Just with any other insurance policy language, we strongly encourage our current and future clients to consult with us for further details.

To learn more about service line coverage, or homeowners insurance in general,
contact Cowdell Insurance Agency and Financial Services:
Call 435-688-7283 or
Visit cowdellagency.com

Service Line Coverage Flier

Safeco Insurance - Service Line Coverage PDF

Source: Liberty Mutual Insurance and Safeco Insurance