💧 What Is Service Line Coverage?

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Service line coverage is an optional endorsement you can add to your homeowners insurance policy. It covers the repair or replacement of underground service lines that run from your home to the street — lines you’re legally responsible for but that most standard insurance policies do not cover.

These lines include things like:

• Water pipes
• Sewer pipes
• Electrical lines
• Internet and cable lines
• Natural gas lines

If one of these lines cracks, collapses, freezes, or gets accidentally damaged, service line coverage helps cover the cost to dig up, repair, and restore the property.
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🧱 Why It Matters
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Most homeowners assume anything outside their home is the city’s responsibility — but that’s not always true. In most cases, you’re responsible for the section of service line that runs from the public connection to your home. If a tree root breaks your sewer line or a pipe collapses due to age or soil movement, that repair can easily cost $3,000 to $10,000 or more — and many homeowners find out too late that their standard policy doesn’t cover it.
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🆕 A Relatively New Offering
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Service line coverage is a newer endorsement in the insurance world. Many companies didn’t begin offering it until the last decade. Because of this, a lot of policies issued before that time simply don’t include it — and some homeowners (and even agents) may not even be aware it exists unless they specifically ask.

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Not all insurance carriers offer this coverage, and when they do, it’s typically added for a small premium — usually around $30–$50 per year for $10,000 to $20,000 in coverage. That small cost can save you thousands when disaster strikes underground.

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🛠️ When It Comes in Handy

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Here are a few real-world examples where service line coverage could save the day:

• A tree root grows through your sewer pipe, causing a backup and forcing you to dig up and replace the line.
• A water line cracks due to soil shifting, leaking water under your lawn and driveway.
• An electrical line running to your home is damaged by a short or corrosion, affecting your power.
• A gas line corrodes underground and must be excavated and replaced.

Without service line coverage, you’d be responsible for the full cost — including excavation, labor, and property restoration (like re-pouring concrete or re-sodding grass).
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🤝 Isn’t This Covered By the Water Company?

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It’s a great question — and the answer is: not usually, at least not automatically.

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Some water or utility companies partner with third-party service providers to offer something like service line coverage. It’s typically offered through a separate monthly fee, and many homeowners miss it because it’s not heavily promoted — or it gets mistaken for a scam or upsell. Even if you’ve seen a brochure in your mail or a checkbox on your water bill, it may not be clear what’s actually covered.

These plans vary widely in quality and transparency, and unlike your homeowners policy, they aren’t regulated by your state’s department of insurance. With a homeowners service line endorsement, you usually have clearer language, higher claim standards, and stronger consumer protections.

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🧾 What to Look For
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When reviewing or shopping for service line coverage, pay attention to:

• Coverage limits (usually $10k–$25k)
• Deductibles (some policies have $500, others match your regular homeowners deductible)
• Covered perils (look for tree root damage, wear and tear, freezing, etc.)
• Exclusions (not all damage may be covered — for instance, certain types of pipe materials like Orangeburg or galvanized steel)
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📞 Final Word: Is It Worth It?
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For most homeowners, service line coverage is a high-value, low-cost addition. If your home is older, has trees near the utility lines, or you're in an area with shifting soil or frequent freezes, it’s especially worth considering.

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At The Happy Adjuster, we’ve seen the difference this small endorsement can make — and how much stress it can save when something hidden underground suddenly becomes a very visible (and expensive) problem. If you’re not sure whether you have it, we recommend reviewing your policy with a professional who knows what to look for.

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Let us help you uncover what’s covered — before something breaks.

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