What is Utility and Service Line Coverage?
Utility line coverage is one of the most underrated endorsements homeowners consider, yet it can be one of the most effective forms of protection.
Utility lines provide the necessary infrastructure to power our homes, businesses, and communities. For most homeowners, these underground utility lines that connect your home to the street are your responsibility.
Yet most homeowner policies exclude coverage for utility lines, which makes it important to consider how you would navigate this unexpected expense—and how utility line coverage can provide valuable protection in the event of a loss or damage.
What is a utility or service line?
Utility lines are essential to our daily lives, connecting our homes to everything from water to power, natural gas to the internet. While the specifics of utility line coverage vary by insurer, Central’s utility line coverage protects:
Water piping
Steam piping
Ground loop piping that connects to a heat pump
Sewer lines
Drain piping
Underground power lines or electrical wiring
Communications or data transmission wiring
Natural gas piping
What is service line coverage, and why do I need it?
Utility lines are vulnerable to a range of damages, such as tree roots, digging accidents, and natural wear and tear. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t realize the costs of repairing this damage are their responsibility until faced with a hefty repair bill.
Utility line coverage protects you from the financial burden of repairing or replacing damaged utility lines if and when something goes wrong.
Keep in Mind: If you recently purchased a new home, utility line coverage is just one of the policies you should consider. Explore them all in Central’s New Homeowners Checklist: Insurance Edition
Utility Line Protection with Central
Central’s utility line coverage accounts for utility line damages resulting from line leaks, breaks, tears, ruptures, collapses, and arcs. In the event of a covered loss, it pays for damage to the utility line, as well as excavation costs, expediting expenses to make repairs, and outdoor property damage resulting from the loss.
One of the additional benefits of utility line coverage is it’s affordable and easy to add to your existing homeowners policy. Coverage is typically added as an endorsement. For a small annual premium, you can have peace of mind knowing you’re covered for any utility lines you are legally and financially responsible for.
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What’s another way I can protect my utility lines?
You may not realize it, but you’ve likely seen signs instructing you to call 811 before you dig to protect underground utility lines.
811 is the national call-before-you-dig hotline. If you’re planning a home or gardening project involving digging in your yard, call 811 or go to your state’s 811 website a few business days before beginning. An 811 locator will visit your home at no cost to mark the approximate location of any buried utilities with paint or flags so you don’t unintentionally damage underground utility lines while digging.
With many utilities buried just a few inches below ground, it’s important to call 811 any time you plan to dig. 811 advises you can easily hit a line when digging for simple gardening projects like planting flowers or small shrubs. Other projects notorious for accidental line ruptures are installing mailboxes and fence posts. And because erosion and root system growth can alter the depth or location of buried lines, it’s important to contact 811 each time you start a new project, even if you’ve had lines marked in the past.
How can I add service line coverage to my Central policy?
Now that you know the benefits of utility line coverage, it’s time to take the steps to add it to your existing homeowners policy? Luckily, your Central agent can take care of the heavy lifting. Just give them a call, let them know you’re ready to protect yourself from costly utility repairs, and they’ll do the rest.
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