Service Line Coverage: Protection for the Pipes You Never Think About

When most homeowners think about insurance, they picture coverage for the roof, walls, and personal belongings. But some of the most expensive repairs happen underground.

Your home relies on several service lines that run beneath your property, including:

• Water lines
• Sewer lines
• Natural gas lines
• Electrical service lines
• Internet and cable lines (depending on the policy)

Many homeowners are surprised to learn they’re responsible for these lines once they leave the public utility connection and enter their property.

Imagine a tree root cracks the sewer line leading to your home. Suddenly, sewage backs up into the house, and the damaged pipe must be excavated and replaced.

Or perhaps your underground water line develops a leak between the meter and your home. Your yard becomes saturated, your water pressure drops, and the repair requires digging up your landscaping to replace the line.

Repairs like these can easily cost $5,000 to $20,000 or more when you factor in excavation, replacement of the damaged line, and restoration of the yard, sidewalk, or driveway.

That’s where Service Line Coverage can make a tremendous difference.

Depending on the policy, this endorsement may help pay for:

• Excavation to access the damaged service line
• Repair or replacement of the damaged underground line
• Backfilling the trench after repairs are complete
• Restoration of landscaping, sidewalks, or driveways damaged during the repair

Service line coverage is one of those endorsements homeowners rarely think about—until they need it. It’s often available for just a few dollars a month and can help protect against a repair that could otherwise cost thousands of dollars out of pocket.