Greg discusses tips for protecting your water line in this episode of Ask The Expert. 800 CHAB radio presents Ask the Expert with Greg Marcyniuk of Heritage Insurance located in Moose Jaw.
Here's a full transcript of the episode.
Rob Carnie: There are dozens of local people who have gone through it, dozens more going through it. And dozens more will be going through it, perhaps hundreds, and that is water line trouble.
And service line coverage is available, ladies and gentlemen, and you should know about that. Greg Marcyniuk, our insurance expert on 800 CHAB's Ask The Expert joining us to tell us about service line coverage. If you don't have it, you could be on the hook for close to $10,000 or more. If you do have it, you're covered. Greg.
Greg Marcyniuk: That's correct, Rob. I know most of our clients we try and keep them informed. We send out at renewal notices that this coverage is available. And the biggest thing that people don't understand what it is, so when they see it they just kind of ignore it. And we do try to talk everyone into getting it. And it's not only your water line, it's also your power line or Internet.
So when these lines, any lines that are on your property, they are your responsibility. And if it's damaged suddenly, you're going to be on the hook for the cost to repair and replace them right away because you need those services. And what it's covered is from the point of your home up to where the property line is. And that is what it will take care of.
So, if you have a damaged line, they'll take care of the cost to repair your underground lines, including water, power, Internet, and telephone. They'll pay for the expiation of digging up your yard to reach the damaged line.
And also they'll take care of temporary measures because it can take a while to get these lines up and running. And that coverage will handle any extra costs for temporary repairs as well as speeding up your permanent repair and getting your service running again. If you have to bring in. I know we just had a claim where they actually brought in a directional driller and they were able to get underneath the set of steps and get it all fixed up.
As well as any outdoor property as far as price of cleaning, fixing up your yard, whatever is damaged by the repair. And then, also if you have any sort of extra expenses, if you have to actually, live without the service, they'll cover any extra bills as well for food, gas, or hotel if that's required.
So being in Saskatchewan, I believe anyone who is living here should have this extra coverage added on. It's not automatically included on your policy. And the reason being is because our temperatures fluctuate so much, especially here in Moose Jaw. We've got heavier clay here, so it's susceptible to shifting of your ground.
Like you see all of these water mains break throughout town. So, that should be a fairly good clue to you to get these things in place and have that coverage.
Rob: Yeah, our infrastructure is aging and we can insure our own infrastructure essentially, right?
Greg: That's correct. And like I say, it's something that everyone should have. We try to recommend people to have it. But this is something that people should not go because, like you say, the cost can be very significant. And especially depending on where your line is, there could be steps having it removed. Or your driveway may have to be dug up and this is all covered. So talk to any of our fine brokers here at the corner of First and Fairford and we'd be more than happy to help you.
(Video transcription by Speechpad)