As Home Sales Rise, New Homeowners Are Advised to Protect Their Assets

HomeServe USA Provides Affordable Water and Sewer Line Coverage Plans to Protect Against Expensive Emergency Repairs

HomeServe repairs water and sewer line breaks quickly through its network of pre-screened local, licensed contractors (Photo: Business Wire)

STAMFORD, Conn.--()--As home sales rebound throughout the United States, HomeServe USA (HomeServe), a leading provider of home emergency repair service plans, is seeking to raise the awareness of new homeowners about protecting their homes against the expense and damage that could be caused by a water or sewer line break.

According to an August report from the National Association of Realtors, existing home sales rose 6.5% in July 2013 over June, and median home prices were 14% higher than July 20121. With more families buying homes, and potentially more expensive homes, it’s a good time for new homeowners to think about protecting their most valuable asset. This begins with researching a good homeowners insurance policy to cover against theft and fire. It also includes considering policies that provide protection for parts of the property that typically aren’t covered by homeowners insurance, like the water lines and sewer lines that run from the house to the street.

Tom Rusin, CEO of HomeServe USA, said, “Many people are not aware that if their water line breaks on their property, they are responsible for the repairs, which can be quite expensive. It’s critical that new homeowners understand this and consider a service like ours, which aims to protect them from the financial impact of an emergency breakdown and also provides fast, reliable repair service.”

HomeServe provides affordable emergency repair service plans to more than 1.3 million customers in the US and Canada that protect homeowners from the expense and inconvenience of these kinds of emergency repairs. HomeServe customers have access to a Repair Hotline that is staffed and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to bring local, licensed and insured contractors right to the customer’s home.

According to HomeServe repair records and information from the U.S. Census Bureau, it is estimated that 1,100,000 water service line and 4,300,000 sewer line emergencies may occur in the United States this year. Repairs to these critical service lines can run from hundreds to thousands of dollars. An Ipsos Public Affairs Poll in 2012 found that 61 percent of homeowners surveyed are not aware they are responsible for repairs to the water service line on their property.

Homeowners can learn about available plans and pricing by visiting www.homeservecoverage.com. Homeowners in Kansas, Indiana, Louisiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia2 and Ohio will receive an offer from HomeServe in the mail this month. In Kansas and Ohio, HomeServe has partnered with Aqua America, Inc., one the largest U.S.-based, publicly-traded water utilities, to offer protection plans to customers in select areas, and homeowners may receive a similar offer in the mail from Aqua.

About HomeServe

HomeServe USA Corp (HomeServe) is an independent provider of home emergency repair service plans. For over a decade, the company has protected homeowners against the expense and inconvenience of water, sewer, electrical, HVAC and other home emergencies by providing affordable coverage and quality service. HomeServe serves over 1.3 million homeowners in the US and Canada and dedicates itself to being a customer-focused company providing best-in-class emergency repair plans through utility partners and directly to customers. HomeServe plans are underwritten by Wesco and Technology Insurance Companies, AmTrust Financial Services Companies rated “A” by AM Best. For more information about HomeServe, please go to www.homeserveusa.com, follow us on www.twitter.com/homeserveusa and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/homeserveusa.

1 National Association of Realtors. (2013) Existing Home Sales Spike in July [Press Release]

2 In Virginia, HomeServe operates as Home Emergency Insurance Solutions

Contacts

Media:
HomeServe USA
Myles Meehan, 203-356-4259
Email: Myles.Meehan@homeserveusa.com
Or
ICR, Inc. for HomeServe USA
Sari Martin, 646-277-1256
Email: hsusa@icrinc.com

Release Summary

HomeServe is seeking to raise the awareness of new homeowners about protecting their homes against the expense and damage that could be caused by a water or sewer line break.

Contacts

Media:
HomeServe USA
Myles Meehan, 203-356-4259
Email: Myles.Meehan@homeserveusa.com
Or
ICR, Inc. for HomeServe USA
Sari Martin, 646-277-1256
Email: hsusa@icrinc.com