Fixing water mains and sewer pipes is expensive, no matter which way you look at it. It’s a good idea to have some kind of insurance that covers the cost in case you do have problems. Ripping up cement, grass, and wood to even get to the pipes not only leaves a hole in your property but in your pocketbook as well.

How much coverage you need depends on a few different factors. On one hand, you don’t want to fall for the insurance companies who sometimes prey on your fears by telling you that this water service line is buried deep underground on your property and could fail without warning. However, on the other hand, you don’t want to be underinsured and in debt for potentially tens of thousands of dollars just because you didn’t plan ahead. So, what is the right course of action?

At Blair Supply Corp, we have served the water and wastewater industry ever since 1958, offering top-quality utility supplies and professional advice to customers across the nation. In addition to contacting us for an industrial culvert pipe or other sewer and drainage materials for sale, you can also rely on us to provide you with an overview of how municipal sewer and water systems work and help you learn all about insurance for water and sewer lines.

Water and sewer line insurance basics

As water lines, pipes and septic systems age, it’s only natural they will be prone to cracks and leaks. When this happens, lines can become clogged and waste can back up into your home causing even more damage, not to mention the potential health risks to your family.

No one wants to deal with all the inconvenience and expense without having a plan in place. As a homeowner, you have a few options when it comes to purchasing a sewer or water line protection plan.

Is the sewer line covered by insurance?

Before signing the contract, check to see exactly what the policy covers and excludes. You don’t want to find out after a hurricane, earthquake or flood that these natural disasters aren’t covered. In general, sewer-protection insurance should provide coverage for:

• Damage to your home
• Unblocking sewer lines
• Pipe replacement or repair
• Any excavation costs to expose damaged pipes
• Repairing or replacing damaged seals, joints and valves

Is sewer line replacement covered by homeowner’s insurance?

The first question you need to ask is will your regular homeowners insurance cover any sewage or water line damage. Make sure you differentiate between water line and sewage since those are generally categorized differently under homeowner’s insurance.

Most homeowner’s insurance companies offer an amendment that you can add to your standard policy that will cover damages associated with sewage and waterline damage. This additional coverage usually costs an extra $40 to $50 per year and gets you an extra $10,000 of coverage should your mainline burst. Of course, each policy is different and you should check with your insurance provider to see what your exact coverage is.

Another option is, in some home insurance policies, a limited coverage for ‘other structures’ to 10% of what your full home is insured for. For example, if your home is insured for $400,000, ‘other structures’ like your garage, fence and septic tank may only be covered up to $40,000.

Is this enough?

While in most cases this is enough, in some extremely rare cases, it’s not. A sewage accident can destroy an entire home, meaning that a homeowner could be on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on what their home is worth. Again, check with your insurance agent to see what type of coverage is involved.

If you’re looking for broader coverage than the standard homeowner’s insurance policy provides for sewer lines, you’ll have to purchase what is called a service line protection endorsement. Unfortunately, not many insurance companies offer this endorsement, so you may need to switch insurers if it’s a type of coverage that is important to you.

Should I get sewer line insurance?

So, should you get more than the standard coverage that is offered under homeowner’s insurance? That really depends on:

• How old your piping system is. In most homes, $10,000 is enough but if your home is between 50 and 100 years old without any upgrades to the pipes, then it might be a good idea to get the extra coverage.
• Another factor for you to consider is climate. Parts of the country that are constantly freezing have more trouble with their sewer lines. While modern exterior water service lines are protected against freezing for the most part, older lines are not.

Other than providing peace of mind for a few dollars a month, you may not find water line insurance a worthwhile investment. Statistically speaking, especially if you live in a newer home, there is little chance that your water line will break.

However, every homeowner has a potential risk of having to replace sewer lines and the cost to replace these lines and cover any damage caused by water backup can cost tens of thousands of dollars, if not more. You will have to weigh the pros and cons and decide if sewer line protection is right for you.

If coming up with thousands of dollars to replace and repair damage from a main line or sewer line will be a financial burden, you may want to consider either adding a clause to your homeowners insurance policy or purchasing a specialized policy covering sewer and water lines and just pay the extra money.

Research insurance companies first

If you purchase sewer line coverage, and you have a problem, the insurance company will schedule a repair for you. Most sewer line insurance companies use local and licensed sewer line professionals to perform repairs. The repairs are guaranteed and normally you will sign a form saying you are satisfied with the repair work that has been completed on your sewer line.

Where can you buy sewer line insurance?

There are a couple of companies that specialize in insurance for water and sewer lines. Call up your local insurance agent and ask them. If the company isn’t an insurer, it won’t be regulated in the same manner and you should avoid them.

Additionally, check google reviews and the Better Business Bureau for any complaints before making your final provider choice. You’ll want to obviously buy insurance from a good reputable company so do your research before you buy.

We offer culvert pipes for sale in Watertown, Avoca, Rochester, and across the nation

Blair Supply Corporation has been in business since 1958 and is considered one of the top distributors in the water and wastewater industry, participating in over 25 local municipal organizations. The company has been in the family for three generations. In the 1940s, the company began with construction of water lines.

Today, Blair Supply sells and rents specialty equipment such as tapping machines and fusion machines for the High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Products market. In addition, we also offer a wide range of tools and materials for water line and sewer line repair and replacement, including dependable plastic Ford water meter pits, advanced Zenner water meters, durable brass water service fittings, and quality culvert pipes.

As an innovator and leader in the ever-changing water systems utility construction business, as well as the WASDA member, Blair Supply remains can provide you with the equipment you need to address sewer line issues and prevent possible damage. Contact us today!