Protecting a home is every owner’s first priority, and most people think that their homeowner’s insurance policy has them covered. For the most part, that’s true. However, what some homeowners may not be aware of are the extensive damages that can be caused by so-called “lateral lines” – the pipes which connect private properties with publicly owned main sewer or utility lines – and that these damages are not typically covered by a basic homeowner policy.
Fortunately, affordable insurance coverage is available for damage associated with these lateral lines.
What is Lateral Line Coverage
By the book, the Lateral Line endorsement from Badger Mutual covers the cost of repairs, excavation, and restoration in the event of a direct physical loss to exterior underground service and utility lines on the residence premises.
This coverage provides protection against damage to equipment you have next to no control over, but is nonetheless a key part of your property.
Simply put, this coverage provides protection against damage to equipment you have next to no control over, but is nonetheless a key part of your property. Here’s a starter list of equipment that falls into this category:
- Water & sewer pipes
- Cable and internet wiring
- Electrical power wiring
- Natural gas pipes
- Drainage pipes
Scary Scenarios
Picture this. You come home from work to find that your front yard has completely flooded. A quick assessment shows that there is a large tree root causing damage to your underground water pipes, which caused the unfortunate leak. You are now responsible to hire a contractor to excavate your yard and repair the water pipes, not to mention the costly landscaping service to restore the front lawn.
In this case, it was a tree root – but other common causes of utility and service line damage that can be covered with this often-overlooked type of coverage are:
- Normal wear and tear
- Rust, corrosion, or deterioration
- Hidden or latent defect
- Vermin, rodents, insects, or animals
It’s imperative that homeowners understand these costly scenarios and make sure their protection extends through the curb. While this type of damage is often unpredictable and beyond your control, we can help you prepare for it.
While lateral line damage is often unpredictable and beyond your control, we can help you prepare for it. Find a Badger agent here to review your current homeowner policy and make sure your protection extends through the curb.
