HomeServe and Giuliani Partners to Help Raise Awareness of Water Infrastructure Issues and Solutions
HomeServe and Giuliani Partners to Help Raise Awareness of Water Infrastructure Issues and Solutions in Wisconsin
Homeowners Surprised to Learn of Their Responsibility
MADISON, Wisc.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- HomeServe USA (HomeServe), a leading provider of home emergency repair service plans, today announced that it, in association with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and his team at Giuliani Partners, will be launching a campaign directed at homeowners in Wisconsin - for the first time - to educate them on their water service line responsibilities and ways they can protect themselves from the cost and inconvenience of a water service line emergency.
HomeServe repairs water and sewer line breaks quickly through its network of pre-screened local, licensed contractors. (Photo: Business Wire)
"Many people are not aware that if their water line breaks, the repair bill may come out of their pockets. In most cases, homeowners are responsible for the water line that runs from the water company's connection to their home, and also in most cases, the cost of repairs is not covered by their basic homeowners insurance or by their local utility," said Rudy Giuliani.
A water service line emergency occurs when the pipe that delivers fresh water from the water main to a home breaks or leaks due to normal wear and tear. 61% of homeowners do not know that, in most cases, repairs are not covered by basic homeowners insurance, the water utility, or individual towns and communities, leaving the homeowner responsible for the entire repair bill.1 Repairs such as this can range between $1,500 and $3,000, and in some cases more. 64% of consumers do not have $1,000 on hand to cover unexpected home repairs2 and HomeServe estimates that there could be over 1 million water service line breaks nationally in the next 12 months.3
Tom Rusin, CEO of HomeServe USA said, "Replacing a broken water service line can often cost thousands of dollars that homeowners may not be able to afford. It's critical that homeowners understand the potential financial ramifications of a broken water or sewer line and that they are adequately prepared." Rusin continued, "With Rudy Giuliani's help, we hope we can give homeowners the information they need to understand and manage the risk of a home emergency."
"Water Service Line Coverage from HomeServe not only takes care of the cost of covered repairs, the Coverage also takes care of the repair itself, relieving homeowners of the inconvenience and burden a water service line emergency can create," said Rusin. "So while homeowners may not be able to prevent a water service line emergency, now they have a way to be prepared."
HomeServe partners with over 30 of the nation's leading water, gas and electrical utilities to offer customers insurance plans. However, in select areas, including the State of Wisconsin, HomeServe is offering its affordable Water Service Line Coverage Plans directly to homeowners starting at under $5 a month via a no-obligation direct mail offer. Earlier this year, HomeServe reached its 2 millionth contract held by homeowners around the country providing protection from those unexpected repairs not covered by most basic homeowner insurance or by local utility services. All HomeServe customers have access to a 24-hour emergency hotline that will dispatch a local, licensed and qualified contractor to make any necessary repairs. HomeServe has a 96% approval rating among customers surveyed after receiving service under the plans.4
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. 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.
Sources:
1. Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of HomeServe Dec 2011-Jan 2012.
2. National Foundation for Credit Counseling, 2011.
3. HomeServe 2012 national leak repair experience and U.S. Census American Housing Survey for the United States: 2009, estimated number of detached and attached single family homes.
4. HomeServe 2012 Post Service Customer Survey.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20130418005931/en/
HomeServe USA
Myles Meehan, 203-356-4259
Myles.Meehan@homeserveusa.com
or
ICR, Inc. for HomeServe USA
Sari Martin, 646-277-1256
hsusa@icrinc.com
KEYWORDS: United States North America New York Wisconsin
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