Firm will soon offer waterline, sewer insurance

Last February during a big cold wave more than a few homeowners suffered from frozen water lines that service their homes. Thawing out and fixing a line from the city’s main can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the length of the line and the location of the break.

According to city code, the city doesn’t assist with frozen service lines — the lines that run from the main to the home. They’re the homeowner’s responsibility.

But homeowners can now purchase insurance for such repairs.

The city council recently approved an agreement with Service Line Warranties of America for a license fee to offer waterline insurance to homeowners.

Under the contract, the company will pay the city 50 cents per product for each month a homeowners has the insurance. In return, the company can use the city logo in advertising and bill materials.

Insurance costs for external water service are $6.75 a month initially. There’s also insurance available for external sewer lines at $7.75 per month and an interior plumbing and drain policy for $9.99 a month.

The contract with the city runs for three years. Homeowners are not obligated to buy the insurance.