Service line coverage will cover you when your utility lines need repairs. This includes damage to power lines, sewer lines, telephone lines, and more.
When you think about a house, you probably picture a home with walls, windows, and rooms full of furniture, friends, and family. What you might forget about is the hidden works of structure, like the sewer pipes, water lines, communication cables, and power lines.
Just as you would have to patch hole in a wall, you have to fix a hole in your pipes. However, repairing service lines can get expensive, and it's not always covered in your basic homeowners insurance policy. Jerry's
collected everything you need to know about when service line coverage can come in handy. What are service lines?
Before explaining what service line coverage is, you need to understand what it is designed to protect. Service lines are underground utility lines providing a wide range of services to your home. Examples include:
Private water well and pumps
Other areas as specified by the insurance policy
What is service line coverage?
Service line insurance covers repair costs due to damage to your utility lines, whether it is your property or the service line providers. Specific qualifying events include, but are not limited to:
Corrosion and deterioration
Mechanical and pressure breakdown
Other perils and damages based upon insurance policy
What does service line coverage pay for?
There's a lot involved in repairing an underground utility line. Imagine an unexpected freeze hits your area in early fall and your water pipes freeze. The result is a break in the pipes and a major leak.
Not only do you have to hire a contractor to fix the damage, you may need a hotel room because your home is without water. You may also need your foundation inspected to make sure additional damage did not happen.
Service line insurance covers repairs, as well as lodging expenses. It also covers the municipality lines if the damage incurred was due to an event happening on your property. Eligible costs include:
Contractor and repair costs
Some insurance companies will even provide additional reimbursement if you replace your damaged materials and systems with energy-efficient and eco-friendly equipment.
What is not covered by service line coverage?
Not all underground services are covered by service line coverage. However, this can vary by insurance company and the state your home is located in. Some repairs that might not be covered include:
MORE: How much personal property coverage do you need?
Service line coverage cost
Service line coverage is fairly inexpensive, costing as little as $30 per year. There's usually a deductible, which is commonly $500 per claim. There are also payout limits as outlined by your policy.
If damages exceed your coverage limits, you or your other insurance policies may have to cover the difference. At such an affordable price, it may make sense to add service line coverage to your homeowners insurance.
Also, some insurance companies include it as a perk. With the average service line repair costing around $4,000, it is an inexpensive way to protect your assets and property.
Saved $725 annually
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