Not A Scam! City-Authorized Letters Offer Optional Utility Line Service Protection
MANY RESIDENTS TO RECEIVE CITY-AUTHORIZED LETTERS OFFERING OPTIONAL UTILITY LINE SERVICE PROTECTION
Letter provides optional service line repair coverage;
City officials: plan provides protection
for unexpected and costly repairs
RAPID CITY, SD--Many city residents will be receiving letters this week regarding an optional customer exterior service line protection plan offered to homeowners.
City officials remind homeowners the letters - coming from Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA) - have the endorsement of the City and the protection plan offered is not a scam. The letters provide information on a protection plan offering coverage for interior plumbing and drainage systems, exterior sewer/septic lines and exterior water service lines.
Owning a home is part of the American dream, but it often comes with the challenge of unexpected repair costs, which is one of the reasons why Rapid City - through its membership in the National League of Cities - has partnered with SLWA to offer the service line protection plan.
In August 2018, the City partnered with Service Line Warranties of America to offer the optional coverage. City residents receive an introductory letter about the protection plan and then a reminder correspondence in a couple weeks. The City has authorized SLWA/HomeServe to utilize the City's name and logo on all marketing and mailing materials, including correspondence.
Since the partnership began, more than 1,000 Rapid City homeowners have enrolled with more than 2,000 policies, nearly 500 claims filed and an estimated nearly $900,000 in customer savings, according to SLWA.
“It’s important homeowners realize repairs to service lines are their responsibility, all the way to where their line connects to the main,” said City Public Works Administration Operations Manager Shannon Truax. “This sometimes includes a portion under the street. These repairs are not typically covered by basic homeowners insurance or by the City.
“This has been a great partnership between the City and Service Line Warranties of America. We want to let homeowners know the letters they may be receiving in the coming days are official and are endorsed by the City. It is not a scam.’
There is no cost to the City in offering the voluntary coverage plan to homeowners and is being offered because of the City's membership in the National League of Cities.
Truax says the letters homeowners receive will outline protection plan coverages for water service line repairs and covered sewer/septic line repairs. The letter explains the coverage, provides examples of the plan's coverage, important questions and answers, an acceptance form and contact information to SLWA/HomeServe, which works with local contractors for repairs.
"Repairs can often run in the several thousands of dollars," Truax said. "These plans provide an affordable solution for repairs. The company works with local, licensed contractors for the repairs. The City incurs no expense related to this program. The plans are voluntary and homeowners can select partial or the entire coverage."
Coverage begins 30 days after acceptance by HomeServe. Plans do not cover pre-existing conditions.
Homeowners work with SLWA/HomeServe on claims through a 24-hour hotline. Once enrolled in a no-deductible, optional plan, when a covered problem arises for a participating resident, SLWA arranges for a local, licensed, insured and qualified contractor to complete the repair quickly. There are no service fees or deductibles and HomeServe, not the City, manages the billing and claims process.
Truax said the City's role as a partner in the program is to grant SLWA/HomeServe the right to offer and market optional service line warranties to residential single dwelling property owners within city limits.
Rapid City residents wo are interested in learning more or enrolling in any of the available plans can visit www.slwofa.com or call 1 (866) 922-9006 for more information.