Service Line Coverage for Home Utilities

As a homeowner, you’re responsible for the underground lines that run from the street to your home. Help protect against unexpected expenses with our optional service line coverage.

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What Is Service Line Coverage?

Service line coverage, also known as buried utility lines coverage, is an endorsement that can be added to your homeowners insurance policy to help cover the cost of repairing or replacing a broken service line that runs to your home. You can think of it as sewer line, water line, and natural gas line insurance all in one convenient coverage.

Many homeowners don’t know that they’re on the hook financially to repair or replace damaged underground service lines to their home. And it can prove a costly surprise — often upwards of $7,000. That’s because repairing service lines isn’t a simple fix. It often requires significant digging that can wreak havoc on landscaping, driveways, and walkways. In addition, you may need to temporarily relocate while repairs are being done.

Service line coverage offers the protection you need and fills a gap in standard homeowners insurance policies that don’t typically cover service lines.

Common Buried Utility Lines

What Is a Service Line?

Homeowners today rely on more underground utility lines than ever before. If any of these lines become damaged, it’s likely that you are responsible for their repair. Buried utility line coverage may cover the following:

Water

Water piping that connects from the home to a public water supply system or private well stystem

Waste

Sewer piping that connects from the home to a public water supply system or private well system

Heating

Ground loop piping that connects to a heat pump

Electric

Power lines that provides electrical service to the home or related structures

Communications

Cable, data transmission, internet, and fiber optics

What Is Covered Under Service Line Coverage?

As the name implies, buried utility lines coverage may help pay for damage to underground pipes and wiring that are connected to your home and ready for use. It can also help cover the related excavation work and any landscaping that is damaged during the repair or replacement process. Our service line coverage provides protection against a leak, break, tear, rupture, collapse or arcing of a covered service line caused by:

Collapse*
Electrical and mechanical or pressure systems breakdown
Freeze
Rust or other corrosion, decay, deterioration, hidden, or latent defect
Wear and tear

What Kind of Damage Is Not Covered by Service Line Coverage?

There are several causes of damage not covered by our service line endorsement, including fire, flood, lightning, riot or civil commotion, vandalism, and sinkhole or subsidence collapse. Talk to your Westfield agent for a full list of exclusions.

How Does Service Line Coverage Work?

Service line damage happens more often than you think. And when it does, the costs add up quickly. Let’s look at some examples** of how this insurance coverage can help if you experience damage to your sewer, water, or other utility lines.

A frost heave splits two sections of a sewer line running under a policyholder’s driveway. Westfield could help pay to repair or replacement of the sewer line and the damaged driveway.
A bitter cold snap causes a main water line connecting into a policyholder’s home to burst. A repair crew charging higher weekend rates made the fix. Westfield could help pay for the repairs.
A policyholder wakes up to the unpleasant surprise of toilets not flushing in their home. Turns out an aging clay sewer line has crumbled. Landscaping was also damaged while workers replaced the line. Westfield could help pay to replace the sewer line and the landscaping.
A buried power line on a policyholder’s premises was electrically damaged, making the home temporarily inhabitable. Westfield could help pay for replacement of the power line and the hotel stay needed during the repair.

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Highlights of Westfield’s Service Line Coverage

Our service line endorsement is available in all states where we offer homeowners insurance. Here are some of the benefits provided by our coverage. †

Costs to reach damaged underground piping and wiring.
Repair or replacement of damaged exterior underground piping and wiring.
Coverage for your outdoor property, such as landscaping, driveways, and walkways.
Additional costs to expedite materials and services for repairs.
Living expenses, such as hotels and meals, if you need to temporarily relocate.
Cost of generators and other temporary equipment that allows you to remain at home during repairs.
Environmental safety and efficiency condition allowing for 150% upgrade when replacement is required.

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Customize Your Policy

Explore Other Add-On Coverage Options

Equipment Breakdown Coverage

When things like a washing machine or HVAC system breaks down, this coverage can help cover the repair or replacement costs.

Identity Theft Coverage

If you become a victim of identity theft, this coverage can help cover costs associated with the recovery process.

Cyber Security

If you experience a cyberattack or cyberbullying, this coverage can help financially protect you.

Umbrella Insurance

In the event of a large claim against you, this coverage can add an extra layer of financial protection.

Inland Flood Insurance

If you experience a flash flood or other flooding event, this endorsement can help cover the damage.

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Get Started

Contact an Agent Near You

When it comes to underground service lines, out of sight shouldn’t mean out of mind. Help protect yourself against unexpected expenses related to service lines, including water, waste, gas, internet, and more. Connect with a Westfield agent to get started today.

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Service Line Coverage

Frequently Asked Questions

Does homeowners insurance cover service lines?

Most standard homeowners’ insurance policies don’t typically cover service lines. This add-on coverage can help fill the gap and protect your home and hard-earned money.

Is service line coverage required?

No, service line coverage is not required. This coverage is optional and may be added to a homeowners insurance policy for a charge.

Why do I need service line coverage?

There is little you can do to prevent the natural aging of underground lines. From rust to roots, service lines can fail for a variety of reasons, but adding our service line endorsement can help protect you from unexpected expenses.

Does service line coverage cover damage caused by roots?

Physical loss or damage to service line covered property due to root invasion is typically covered (subject to policy limits), but you should always review your policy to ensure you have the coverage you need.

Are excavation costs covered?

Yes, excavation costs are typically covered by our service line endorsement up to the applicable policy limit.

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*Does not include sinkhole or subsidence collapse.

**These examples are for illustration purposes only.

† Coverages are subject to policy limits and/or exclusions. These examples are for illustration purposes only. The actual policy or endorsement language should be referenced to determine coverage applicability and availability.