Optional endorsement · Underground utilities

Coverage for the lines that keep your home running

Your home relies on exterior underground service lines for water, sewer, power, gas, heat, and internet, and most homeowners don’t realize they are responsible for repairing the lines on their property. Service Line coverage pays for physical loss or damage from a covered service line failure.

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  • Up to $10,000Maximum limit per occurrence
  • Excavation includedCosts to dig and reach the damaged line
  • Outdoor propertyTrees, lawns, walkways, and driveways damaged by a failure or its repair

Why it matters

Why homeowners need it

A leak, break, tear, rupture, or collapse can damage exterior underground pipes or wires and leave the homeowner facing costly repairs.

A service line is exterior underground piping or wiring, including permanent connections, valves, or attached devices, that provides a service to your home. A covered service line must be owned by the homeowner, who is responsible for its repair or replacement by law, regulation, or service agreement. Covered services include, but are not limited to, data transmission and communications, water supply, electrical power, gas, heating, waste disposal, and drainage.

  • Service line repairs can be expensive, and many homeowners lack emergency funds to cover them.
  • Service line failures are not covered by most standard homeowners policies.
  • Service contracts from utility companies may be limited and costly, and may not cover damage to outdoor property or the extra expenses of losing the use of your home.

What’s covered

What’s included

Property damage

Physical loss or damage to a covered service line that is the direct result of a service line failure.

Environmental, safety, and efficiency upgrades

The additional cost to replace damaged property with materials that are better for the environment, safer for people, or more energy or water efficient. Covers up to 150% of the cost of like-kind replacement.

Excavation costs

Reasonable and necessary costs to dig and gain access to repair or replace the damaged covered service line.

Expediting expenses

Extra costs to make temporary repairs and to speed up permanent repairs or replacement.

Loss of use

Your policy’s Additional Living Expense and Fair Rental Value coverage extends to losses covered by this endorsement.

Outdoor property

Damage to outdoor property, including trees, shrubs, plants, lawns, walkways, and driveways, caused by a service line failure or by excavating the covered line.

What’s not included

  • Piping and wiring that has not suffered physical damage. Blockages, clogged pipes, and bent or sagging pipes are not covered without physical damage.
  • Piping or wiring that runs under a dwelling’s foundation or another structure, runs through or under a body of water, or is not connected or ready for use.
  • Septic systems, including leach fields, septic tanks, pumps, motors, and the piping from the septic tank to the leach fields.
  • Heating and cooling systems, including heat pumps.
  • Sprinkler system pumps, motors, or heads.
  • Water wells, including well pumps and motors.

Limits

  • If your home is less than 50 years old, the most paid for any one service line failure is $10,000 for all damaged covered service lines.
  • If your home is 50 years or older, the limit is $2,500 per damaged covered service line. If the damaged line was newly installed or fully replaced within 50 years of the failure, the $10,000 limit applies.
  • The maximum limit per occurrence is $10,000, whether one or several covered service lines are damaged. See your policy endorsement for full details on limits.

Real-world examples

How it has helped homeowners

These claim examples are for illustration only and assume the loss is covered on your policy. Totals paid after the deductible may include more than one coverage.

Tree roots crack a sewer line

Tree roots cracked the sewer line at a 22-year-old home, and repairs were not possible. Coverage replaced the entire pipe.

Paid after deductible: $9,142

Corroded power line

An underground power line serving a 45-year-old home shorted out from corrosion and had to be excavated and replaced.

Paid after deductible: $5,934

Frozen water line

The underground water line at a 39-year-old home froze and burst, requiring emergency excavation and pipe repair.

Paid after deductible: $8,200

Gas line on a holiday weekend

A broken incoming gas line at a 12-year-old home needed emergency service to speed up permanent repairs. The repairs and the extra expediting costs were covered.

Paid after deductible: $10,000

Landscaping damage

Tree roots damaged the sewer line at a 35-year-old home. Coverage paid for the line repair and the landscaping damaged during the work.

Paid after deductible: $7,650

Home 50 years or older, with loss of use

A buried power line at a 55-year-old home was damaged by electrical current and had to be replaced. The home was not livable, so the family’s hotel stay was covered along with the line.

Paid after deductible: $2,500

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is Service Line coverage?

Service Line coverage pays for physical loss or damage resulting from a covered service line failure.

What is a service line?

Service lines are exterior underground piping and wiring, including permanent connections, valves, or attached devices, that provide a service to your home.

What is a covered service line?

A covered service line must be owned by the homeowner, who is responsible for its repair or replacement by law, regulation, or service agreement. Covered services include, but are not limited to, data transmission and communications, water supply, electrical power, gas, heating, waste disposal, and drainage.

What losses are not covered?

Losses not covered include fire, water, earth movement, flood, surface water, overflow, back-up, or any other peril covered by your property policy; extra costs for increased use of water, natural gas, propane, or other services caused by a service line failure; damage that occurs while a line is being installed, dismantled, or repaired; relocating existing piping or wiring unless required by local ordinance; and cleanup or removal of pollutants, hazardous waste, or sewage. Coverage is also subject to the underlying property conditions and policy exclusions.

What are the limits?

For a home less than 50 years old, the most paid for any one service line failure is $10,000 for all damaged covered lines. For a home 50 years or older, the limit is $2,500 per damaged covered line, unless the line was newly installed or fully replaced within 50 years of the failure, in which case $10,000 applies. The maximum per occurrence is $10,000. See your policy endorsement for details.

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Important coverage information: This information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not modify or invalidate any of the terms or conditions of the policy and endorsements. For specific terms and conditions, please refer to the coverage form. Coverage is subject to eligibility, underwriting guidelines, policy terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations, and may not be available for every policy. Coverage and associated services are reinsured under an arrangement with The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company (HSB).