The City of Scott City has partnered with Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA) to offer protection to city homeowners for the water and sewer service lines that connect their homes to the city ’s systems. The coverage is voluntary and available at affordable monthly prices. Founded in 2003, SLWA has partnered with nearly 1,100 leading cities and municipalities in the U.S. to provide repair service plans that offer homeowners peace of mind and convenience.

Many homeowners do not know that damage to the service lines on their property is their responsibility to repair. In the event of a service line repair emergency, the homeowner is responsible for scheduling the repair and covering the associated cost. As City of Scott City homes age along with the infrastructure serving them, SLWA repair plans provide homeowners with an optional solution so they can be prepared for this type of unexpected repair.

The SLWA Service Line Warranty Program protects against repairs needed to pipes on homeowners’ property. Repairs to these pipes are not covered by basic homeowners’ insurance or by the City of Scott City. If a customer’s service line needs repair, a simple call to the SLWA 24-hour hotline will dispatch a local, licensed contractor familiar with local code. There are no service fees or deductibles.

 This program is voluntary for homeowners, provided at no cost to the City of Scott City and no public funds are used to promote or administer the program.

 “Our service plans not only cover the cost of the repair; they also provide homeowners with reputable, local contractors who will do the best possible job,” said Tom Rusin, Global CEO of SLWA parent HomeServe Membership. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the City of Scott City and look forward to the opportunity to provide City of Scott City homeowners with the assistance they need when faced with a home repair emergency.”

 SLWA has been recognized as the nation's largest and most trusted source of utility line plans endorsed by the National League of Cities. The company is committed to delivering an excellent customer service experience and maintaining an A+ accredited rating with the Better Business Bureau. For questions about this service, or to enroll, please contact SLWA at 866-922-9006 or visit www.slwofa.com.

Plans Available in the City of Scott City:

 Exterior Water Service Line coverage - $6.49/month*

• Exterior Sewer/Septic Line coverage - $8.49/month*
• Interior Plumbing and Drainage coverage - $9.99/month*

 Benefits:

• Residents Benefit: Residents learn about their responsibilities with the water and sewer lines that service their homes.  
• Common and Expensive Problem: Water and sewer line problems are common and expensive. Repairs to lines on homeowners’ property are typically not covered by basic homeowners’ insurance or by the City of Scott City and can be quite expensive.
• Peace of Mind: Coverage through SLWA offers City of Scott City homeowners’ peace of mind. SLWA is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, including holidays. Repairs are given the highest priority and local, licensed, and approved contractors are dispatched to customers’ homes to make the necessary covered repairs — all with no callout fees or deductibles.

• Trusted Partner: The City of Scott City has partnered with SLWA. SLWA and its parent company, HomeServe USA, offer a program that is used by more than 1,100 cities, municipalities, and utilities across the US. SLWA has been in business since 2003 and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating. SLWA and HomeServe provide service to more than 4.5 million homeowners and has performed more than 1.7 million repairs for customers over the last 3 years and received high ratings from customers receiving service.

Key Contact information

• SLWA toll-free phone number: 1-866-922-9006
• SLWA website for more information: www.slwofa.com

Frequently Asked Questions and Objections:

 What is the relationship between SLWA and the City of Scott City?

Each agreement with a utility or municipality is a little different and is tailored to meet the needs of the community. The partnership allows Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA) to offer customers competitive monthly fees on available services to residents. Importantly, the decision by residents about whether to sign up for a SLWA service plan is completely optional.

 Why did the City of Scott City partner with SLWA?

 The National League of Cities (NLC) has recognized and endorsed SLWA as the nation's largest and most trusted source of utility line service plans. An objective of the SLWA program is education because many residents are not aware that buried water and sewer lines on their property are their responsibility to maintain. A broken or blocked service line on the property can cost thousands of dollars to repair or replace and many times residents are unprepared for this unexpected expense. The city ’s program with SLWA not only educates residents but also provides a solution for residents that is entirely optional.

 How common are utility line breakages and what are the common repair costs?

 Each year, SLWA, together with its parent company HomeServe, performs tens of thousands of water and sewer service line repairs for customers nationwide. It is very difficult to determine when a pipe may fail, with key contributors being the type of piping material, age of the service pipe, soil conditions and installation quality. Water line repairs can be costly – a replacement averages $2,500 nationally. With the modest cost of SLWA’s service plan, homeowners would still see financial benefit if the service line didn’t break for another few decades versus saving the monthly fee at current rates.

 Doesn’t my homeowner’s insurance already cover these repairs?

 Typically, no. Most homeowners are surprised to learn that they are responsible for the repair and replacement of broken or leaking utility lines on their property. While most basic homeowners’ policies will pay to repair the damage created by failed utility lines, they typically do not cover the cost of the repair of the line itself. SLWA encourages residents to call their insurance company to determine their actual coverage.

 But isn’t this the same as homeowners’ insurance?

 You should contact your home insurance company to find out what is provided with your coverage. Some insurance companies do offer upgrade coverage for the water and sewer lines by adding a rider or endorsement to the existing base homeowner’s policy. These insurance riders come with deductibles that typically range from $500-$1,100.

 The SLWA plan offered to our residents has a zero deductible. If a homeowner has a single claim in a year under the homeowners insurance rider, they will pay substantially more than paid with a no deductible SLWA plan. Another benefit of the SLWA plan offered to our residents is that SLWA takes the challenge out of finding a contractor to do the work. With a claim under an insurance rider, the homeowner is responsible for finding a qualified and trustworthy contractor to complete the repair, pay them and wait for reimbursement. With an SLWA plan, a vetted local contractor from the SLWA network will come and make repairs. This, along with the fact that SLWA pays the contractor directly, takes a lot of the inconvenience and cost out of a home emergency repair.

 Why does SLWA use the City of Scott City ’s logo in its marketing materials?

 The City of Scott City ’s agreement with SLWA allows the company to use the city’s logo in communications to indicate that there is a formal relationship in place and to let residents know that the offering is legitimate, it is for the residents’ benefit and has the approval of the city. All the mailings SLWA sends to City of Scott City residents are first reviewed and approved by the city prior to use.

 SLWA is committed to transparency in all of its communications. All SLWA materials clearly state that the services the company offers are voluntary and that they are offered by SLWA, a private company that is separate from the city.

 Isn’t it unethical/unseemly for cities to partner with a private entity?

 It is not a new idea for the public and private sectors to work together; it is about bringing City of Scott City residents a solution to a real problem facing homeowners across the country. SLWA brings the best of the private sector, including efficiency and expertise, to relieve the burden on homeowners facing expensive repairs. At the same time, SLWA supports communities by helping us, as local decision-makers, tackle the problem of making sure all of our community’s water and sewer infrastructure is maintained. It is good practice to bring together the best of what public and private entities have to offer.

 Does this take business away from local plumbers?

 No. Repairs under the program are provided through plumbers in our community, some that you may already be familiar with. Also, contractors are welcome to apply to join the SLWA network, provided that they are licensed, insured, doing work up to our codes and provide excellent customer service.

 *Prices used as an example; for city prices please check the https://www.slwofa.com/ website