water main insurance (Star: homeowners insurance, how much, townhome)

[GoingBackEast]

I understand that I'm responsible in my town home for water or sewer breakage from my home to the meter. Can anyone recommend good insurance to cover any breakage? Thanks!!

[stradt03]

Good Morning, I can't speak for insurances in this area as I just moved here however, every other house I have lived in the company supplying the water service has send inserts inside my bill informing me about the sewer and water main line insurance programs that they offer. Maybe try calling your water supplier and see if they offer any protection?

[JanND]

Originally Posted by GoingBackEast

I understand that I'm responsible in my town home for water or sewer breakage from my home to the meter. Can anyone recommend good insurance to cover any breakage? Thanks!!

I think you shoud contact your own insurance company. I'm not sure what water main coverage is called...but, sewer is called "sewage back-up" Ask about these w/ yours, or a recommended insurance co.
We had a flood years ago where I live. So of the company refused to pay for damages, because technically
the homes were flooded after the city evacuated and folks were forced to leave and therefore their sump pumps failed, causing water to back-up. Course our tough insurance commissioner went to work and got that mostly resolved. It is important coverage. Good luck on your search.

[MikeJaquish]

Edit:
Frank made a great post with good information. And at $3.95/month, insurance is probably a pretty wise idea.


...

Additionally, if you are concerned about sewer back up, you might be sure you have a check valve in your sewer line under the house, particularly if your toilet is lower than the manhole in the street.

[frankpc]

Oddly enough, the local natural gas provider (PSNC) provides a water/sewer line replacement plan. They periodically send mailers, but here's more info:

PSNC Energy - Water Line Replacement Program

Starts at $3.95/mo

Sewer line plan here:

http://www.psncenergy.com/en/residen...wer-line-plan/

Starts at $5.95/mo

Frank

[JanND]

Originally Posted by MikeJaquish

I think it is usually unwise to purchase insurance for specific items like this.
I would assume the cost of the water line replacement at about $1700--$2200.
Sewer replacement would be more, but unless you are in a very old townhome, you have a PVC sewer line that would be repaired in specific spots rather than total replacement.
I would again assume something in the $2000 range for a repair.

One suggestion:
How much would you be willing to pay for such insurance monthly?
$30/month?
You might just add that amount to your monthly savings for emergencies and earmark it for water and sewer repairs. If you need a repair next month, you don't make out. If you never need it, and most of us never do, you have that much more in your emergency account.

Additionally, if you are concerned about sewer back up, you might be sure you have a check valve in your sewer line under the house, particularly if your toilet is lower than the manhole in the street.

There is much more involved w/ possible costs to repair. If the water/sewer backs up, it can damage everything, including your furnaces, water heaters, electric panels....furnishings...sheet rock...etc I think insurance makes much more sense.

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by frankpc

Oddly enough, the local natural gas provider (PSNC) provides a water line replacement plan. They periodically send mailers, but here's more info:

PSNC Energy - Water Line Replacement Program

Starts at $3.95/mo

Frank

$3.95/month?
$5.95/month?

Good one Frank! I take back everything I said!

And now I'm thinking about that polybutylene line from the street.
I have a quote for $1800 for replacement and that $3.95 looks pretty good.

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by JanND

There is much more involved w/ possible costs to repair. If the water back up, it can damage everything, including your furnaces, water heaters, electric panels....furnishings...sheet rock...etc I think insurance makes much more sense.

There are two topics on the table, that should be considered separately.

Sewer back up should be prevented by a check valve in the system and would be covered by homeowners insurance.

Water service line failure will not back water into the house unless into a crawlspace, or through the basement wall into the basement. Homeowners insurance would cover the latter..

[saturnfan]

Originally Posted by MikeJaquish

There are two topics on the table, that should be considered separately.

Sewer back up should be prevented by a check valve in the system and would be covered by homeowners insurance.

Water service line failure will not back water into the house.

My insurance charges extra for sewer backup coverage. We took it.

[twingles]

Originally Posted by frankpc

Oddly enough, the local natural gas provider (PSNC) provides a water/sewer line replacement plan. They periodically send mailers, but here's more info:

PSNC Energy - Water Line Replacement Program

Starts at $3.95/mo

Sewer line plan here:

PSNC Energy - Sewer Line Repair Program

Starts at $5.95/mo

Frank

I have one of these plans. I knew several people whose lines ruptured in NY ( in an area developed in the 1930s with cold winters....but still) and it was pretty expensive - over $4000 each time. So I pay for this policy. In a newer area with not-so-cold winters so who knows if I'll ever need it but after seeing what a pain in the neck it was for my neighbors (one's front yard was underwater till it was fixed) I just do it. Don't even notice it in the bill.