Homeowners Unaware of Costly Repair Responsibility

STAMFORD, Conn., Sept. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent national survey conducted by GfK Roper Custom Research finds that less than 50 percent of homeowners surveyed know that they are responsible for repairs to the water line on their property.  Further, the report goes on to state that one-third of all homeowners responding actually assume that their local utility is responsible for the cost of a burst water line between their house and the street, when this is usually not the case.

"One of the challenges of home ownership is that the potential for expensive repairs is always out there," says Tom Rusin, Chief Executive Officer of HomeServe USA.  "The fact that homeowners don't know about their responsibilities in these situations serves to make unexpected and expensive repairs harder to handle."

"Emergencies do happen and unfortunately, there's very little someone can do to prevent them," continues Rusin. "But homeowners can be prepared with a service repair plan that helps cover the cost of expensive water service line repairs."

Typically the homeowner is responsible for the water service line from the curb or well casing all the way to the home, connecting to the water heater, sinks, showers and more. Temperature changes, shifting soil or the age of the line can all cause the line to become damaged. Many times this results in a loss of water pressure or a loss of water altogether. In other instances, the effects will not be noticed until there is a spike in the water bill due to an underground leak. Repairing a water service line can cost more than $2,000.

HomeServe will be offering its Water Service Line Protection Plan to homeowners via a no-obligation direct mail offer. This plan provides consumers thousands of dollars in coverage for a low monthly fee. When enrolled in the program, customers have access to a 24-hour emergency hotline that will dispatch a contractor to make any necessary repairs.

HomeServe has established a network of local, licensed and qualified contractors to serve the area. Contractors are screened and assessed before joining the HomeServe network and making repairs at the customer's home.

"Our mission is simple," concludes Rusin. "To educate homeowners about their responsibilities and offer a solution that protects them from the hassle and expense of unexpected home repairs."

About HomeServe

HomeServe USA is an independent provider of homeowner emergency repair services. The company was established in 2003 and has grown to help protect millions of homeowners against the expense and inconvenience of water, sewer, electrical and other home emergencies. HomeServe dedicates itself to being a customer-focused company offering best practices in marketing and service.

For more information about HomeServe, please go to www.homeserveusa.com

SOURCE HomeServe