Is water and sewer line insurance worth it?

Most standard homeowners’ insurance policies don’t cover the water and sewer lines under your land. If they get damaged, you could spend thousands of dollars out of your own pocket on excavation, repairs and landscaping. 

The good news is that many insurance companies offer water service and sewer line insurance as optional coverage. Here’s why you should consider adding it to your policy.

Is water service and sewer line insurance right for you?
Aging infrastructure and increases in severe weather events have made water damage one of the top reasons for home insurance claims. You might want to consider adding water service and sewer line breakage coverage to your policy if you:

Own a home or rental property
The day-to-day costs of maintaining a home add up, and surprise expenses can derail any household budget. For a few pennies a day you can give yourself the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ll be taken care of in the event of a water service or sewer line breakage.

Live in an older neighbourhood
If your home is in an older development, the water and sewer lines may be reaching the end of their lifespan. Have your neighbours had to replace their water service and sewer lines recently? Given that your homes were likely built around the same time, this is a sign that you might have to replace yours soon, too.

What could cause damage to water and sewer lines?
The lifespan of water service and sewer lines depends on several factors, including:

Tree Roots
Tree roots are attracted to the moisture and nutrients that may be slowly trickling from small cracks in your sewer line. Roots can find their way into the tiniest openings, from which they’ll expand over time and eventually clog or break the pipe. Even if you don’t have trees on your property, a neighbour’s tree could still wreak havoc on your water service and sewer lines.

Wear-and-tear
Older sewer lines are prone to corrosion and sediment build up that can cause leaks or broken pipes.

Ground shifting
Construction or landscaping work on your property can shift the ground and lead to cracked or displaced service lines.

What to look for in water service and sewer line coverage
At a minimum, your water service and sewer line insurance should cover these expenses:

• Repair or replacement of broken water service and sewer pipes located on your land
• Excavation costs and debris removal
• Repair or replacement of outdoor property, including landscaping

Notes

These tips are provided for information and prevention purposes only. They are general in nature, and Desjardins Insurance cannot be held liable for them. We recommend using caution and consulting an expert for comprehensive, tailored advice.

Some conditions, exclusions and limitations may apply. The conditions of the coverages described are set out in the insurance policy, which always prevails.