Chances are you have multiple "service lines" running underground on your property: pipes and wires that connect your home to your energy company, cable provider, or municipality. You probably don't spend much time thinking about them – after all, you can't even see them. But out of sight should not mean out of mind.

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that the repair or replacement of service lines on their property is their responsibility, not the service provider's. Damage to these lines often occurs unexpectedly – for instance a water pipe freezing, an electrical surge from a lightning strike, or tree roots invading and interrupting a cable line. Incidents such as these are becoming more common – one study from Insurance Information Institute shows that the frequency of sewer backups increases about three percent each year.

The average service line repair runs roughly $3,000-$4,000 – but can go much higher. Plus, these expenses aren't always covered in basic homeowners insurance. That's why it's important to protect against these surprise costs by adding service line coverage to your insurance policy.

Dig in to the facts

Service line coverage is affordable, versatile, and powerful coverage against unexpected expenses related to:

• Power lines and electrical wiring
• Steam piping
• Telephone and cable lines
• Drainage
• Fuel
• Water pipes
• Waste disposal
• Sewer piping
• Private wells and septic systems

…when damaged by:

• Corrosion
• Ground freeze
• Root invasion
• Lightning strike
• Landscaping accidents
• Rodents

Protect your property — and what's underneath it

The Hanover offers coverage options that, depending on where you live, provide up to $10,000 for repairs to service lines, excavation costs, loss of use, and landscaping expenses. Talk to your independent agent today to learn more about The Hanover's service line coverage.

LC 2018-024