City Warns Of Aggressive 'Water Line Insurance' Sales Pitch

GREENFIELD, WI -- City officials in Greenfield say homeowners are not required to have a type of insurance related to municipal water lines, despite a company's aggressive marketing campaign that suggests otherwise.

A company named Service Line Warranties of America is mailing a series of letters to property owners in the Milwaukee County area demanding a response within 30 days as it tries to sell "water service line insurance."

"The decision to purchase insurance for these pipes is entirely up to the property owner -- the insurance is optional. You are not required or obligated to purchase the insurance," Greenfield officials said this week.

"If you are concerned, contact your home or property insurance company to see if you already are covered for a water service line or sewer lateral damage incident, and if they feel such coverage is warranted."

City officials in Greenfield and Milwaukee Water Works - Greenfield's water provider - do not require or endorse this type of product, city officials said.

According to city officials, the water service line connects the water main in the street to your property. A sewer lateral pipe connects the large collector sewer in the street to your property. A section of the water service line and a section of the sewer lateral belong to the property owner. Repair and maintenance of both are the responsibility of the property owner.

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