Program offers protection for water lines
By Kara Van Pelt Register-Herald Reporter
September 26, 2011
The City of Beckley is introducing a new program available to homeowners provided through a partnership with the National League of Cities (NLC) and Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA). The Service Line Warranty program provides low-cost, worry-free, warranty protection for water lines.
Because homeowners in Beckley are responsible for the maintenance and repair of buried, outside water service lines that run from the utility connection to their home, and repairs can be costly, this program offers protection from any repairs needed on those lines.
A letter was sent to city residents earlier this month about the available program. For a monthly fee of $4.75, or an annual cost of $45, this program offers a 24-hour hotline and will dispatch a local plumber within 24 hours of a report to perform the repairs, Mayor Emmett Pugh explained.
However, those who enroll before Oct. 21 will receive a discount of 10 percent monthly cost and 20 percent annually.
There are no service fees or deductibles, and repair costs are covered up to $4,000 per incident, plus an additional $500 allowance for public sidewalk cutting, if needed, he said.
“Many citizens are unaware that they are responsible for the water lines that go from the utility connections to their houses. If these lines break or leak, these repairs can be very costly,” Pugh said.
“An unexpected and costly outside water line repair can devastate a family’s budget, and if you have not already set aside money for these types of expenses, I would encourage you to protect yourself today by enrolling in the warranty. This program is one that could potentially save you a lot of money in these difficult economic times,” Pugh said.
After a decade in business, SLWA has accreditation with the Better Business Bureau. The National League of Cities (NLC), which selected SLWA as an Enterprise Programs Partner, represents more than 218 million Americans and is the nation’s largest and oldest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance, said Brad Carmichael, vice president of business development for SLWA.
“We are pleased to partner with the city of Beckley in bringing peace of mind to homeowners in Beckley through an affordable Service Line Warranty program,” Carmichael added. “We think Beckley residents will be pleased with our features and benefits.”
To enroll or learn more about this program, call 1-866-725-1946 or visit www.utilitylineprotection.com.
— E-mail: kvanpelt@register-herald.com