Just got a letter from the local electric utility offering sewer "insurance" on the lines from the house to the street. (This is the homeowner's responsibility in my city.) The cost is $5 and change per month, which, annually, is half the cost of a single visit by the plumber ($120) to cut out tree roots. The 'policy' says rooting and cleaning are covered, as is a pipe collapse, but since it's cast iron, that's unlikely.

Is this something new? A scam? I've got to have the line snaked every two years or so anyway because of the roots.

Be wary.

Look, they wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't profitable. They count on a lot of people signing up for it and forgetting they have it.

It it makes sense for you because of tree roots, fine. Just go in with open eyes.

We signed up for it three years ago and as luck would have it we had a major problem with our sewer line about two months later. We called the gas company to ask if it was covered and they said yes. The next morning they showed up about 10am and said the guy from "Dig Safe" was on the way, as soon as he marks the utility lines we can get started. Four hours later they were spreading grass seed and straw mulch and we had a new sewer. Total cost to us-2 pots of coffee we shared with the guys while they worked.

Last winter we were having problems with fluctuating gas line pressure. Called the gas company and they said we happen to be the last house on the end of the street main and we are on the downhill end of the slope. The have a fitting on the end of the street main were they can pump any condensate water out of the line, but they suspected that water had got into our line from the street. and given that it was an iron pipe line, it was not doubt corroded. They said we had the linebacker service and the line was covered so suggested we replace the line. We agreed and the next morning the crew showed up just as before.

In the course of installing the new gas line they accidentally hit our water line. When it happened the foreman of the crew came to the door very apologetically and explained what had happened. He said, as a result they wanted our permission to install a new water line too, rather than attempt to repair the existing line., then he said,"of course you understand the water line is also under your linebacker contract so there will be no additional charge."

Once again, the total cost to us was a couple pots of coffee which we offered out of kindness.

Would i recommend the line insurance? For me, its a no brainer, I don't see how a homeowner could afford not to take it.

Check the terms carefully though for line repairs.

While they gladly payed the cleanup costs from a collapsed line that flooded a basement before being noticed (about 3 inches) they were very stingy with the line replacement charges.