sewer/water line insurance

We've barely noted its existence over the years but we've been paying for sewer/water line protection over the years and received a notice that they're jacking it up to $25 per month.  Is it worth it and is there a competitive marketplace for it.  What are people paying?


My homeowners includes it for $15 per year.


Wow.  Will have to check with my home owners ins. co.


There is my deductible,of course, but usually it is much cheaper to add it to homeowners.


We had it in the rental property we inherited from my parents.... around $7 per month at that time. We paid it for about 4 years, then the sewer line damage hit. 

They sent repair out a couple of times. Back-up would stop, then happen again a few weeks or months later.Then Amer. Water paid for a "scope" to determine the cause of damage. The pipe was split when the town repaired the road. They repaired that. The next step would have been, dig up the lawn, sidewalk and road and replace the pipes.

In summary, the company paid about $2,000 to correct the problem. If the repairs continued, it would have been a few thousand more, for heavy equipment. 

In that case, we are glad we did it.


FilmCarp said:

My homeowners includes it for $15 per year.

 ^^ This


This thread prompted me to take a look at my homeowners policy to see how much the sewerage line coverage cost. My policy is with NJ Manufacutrers and I was poistive that I took out coverage a few years ago. I looked at my policy and didn't see the coverage. I called NJM this morning and was told that NJM offered the coverage a few years ago but no longer offers it. So I guess I better get coverage with NJAWC. 


A quick Google search shows several companies selling that insurance.  I'd compare a few with NJAWC to see what's best.


It is not just the rate one needs to look at in making that comparison.  Scope of coverage and deductibles need to be considered too.


I called NJAWC to see how much coverage costs. A few years ago when South Orange switched water suppliers from East Orange Water Commission, South Orange contracted with NJAWC to supply the water but South Orange retained ownership of the infrastructure. (It's a strange set-up.) The representative told me to call their sister company, American Water Resources , which handles protection policies. The monthly rate is $12.50. I signed-up. I can always cancel. 

eta- The number for American Water Resources is 844-306-9449.


I have heard horror stories of people who had it and the contractors that were sent out by their service (after a longer than desirable wait) botched it up and they ended up having to hire their own contractor to fix the problem.  Sounds like HO policy is the way to go.  


sac -  Were the horror stories with contractors sent out by NJAWC? I think a lot of people in Maplewood have coverage with NJAWC (or its sister co,. American Water Reources.)


sac said:

I have heard horror stories of people who had it and the contractors that were sent out by their service (after a longer than desirable wait) botched it up and they ended up having to hire their own contractor to fix the problem.  Sounds like HO policy is the way to go.  

 This. Exactly. And, as of several years ago, the insurance covered repair but not replacement. They kept trying to repair a line that needed to be replaced. After the first "repair" another link sprung before the hole was filled in and they insisted on doing a second repair. At that point we declined and hired our own person to replace the line. This discussion prompted me to call my insurance Co. (Liberty Mutual). They do not offer the coverage.


My HO policy agent emailed me today that they do not provide water line coverage.  I really do not want to pay American Water $25 per month for this.  The water line to the street from our old house is not ancient.   Something happened in the 90s and it was replaced with newer pipe.  


It is like any other insurance policy.  You take out if you can't afford to pay for the repairs should they be needed.  Age of the pipe is not the only thing to consider.


Personally if I were you I wouldn't bother.  A 30 year old line is practically new.


Despite the shortcomings of the American Water Resource plan, I never dropped it and in addition to the water/sewer line protection, we pay about $7 for indoor plumbing protection, bringing the total to $30/month. (AWR is th plan offered through NJAmerican Water Co.)

I called them yesterday and they bundled the plans which dropped the rate  to $18.66.

If you have this plan, I'd suggest calling them and requesting that they try to reduce the cost. I find that any time I call any insurance company and complain, they find a way of lowering the cost. I have the same experience with Comcast and just need to remember to call them every now and then and tell them I'm paying too much. Too bad it doesn't work this way with the IRS!


cubby said:

Despite the shortcomings of the American Water Resource plan, I never dropped it and in addition to the water/sewer line protection, we pay about $7 for indoor plumbing protection, bringing the total to $30/month. (AWR is th plan offered through NJAmerican Water Co.)

I called them yesterday and they bundled the plans which dropped the rate  to $18.66.

If you have this plan, I'd suggest calling them and requesting that they try to reduce the cost. I find that any time I call any insurance company and complain, they find a way of lowering the cost. I have the same experience with Comcast and just need to remember to call them every now and then and tell them I'm paying too much. Too bad it doesn't work this way with the IRS!

 Good advice.  



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