Homeowners in 63 cities and municipalities in Ontario, including Windsor, Hamilton and the Region of Peel, have access to Service Line Warranties of Canada (SLWC) service repair plans.
SLWC offers eligible homeowners access to affordable, completely optional service repair plans that cover expensive home emergencies, including needed repairs to the water and sewer lines that fall on their property. Many homeowners are unaware that they are responsible for any needed repairs or replacement of these lines and face a steep financial burden when they have to pay out-of-pocket for a repair. A SLWC optional service repair plan provides a smart way for homeowners to prepare financially for a home emergency and offers convenient access to local, certified contractors when a home emergency does happen.
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about SLWC and its service repair plans.
Who are SLWC and HomeServe? SLWC was incorporated in British Columbia in 2014 and is a part of HomeServe, an international service provider operating in the UK, France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Japan, the US and Canada. SLWC is guided by a Toronto-based General Manager, and we only use local, certified Canadian contractors in our network to render service.
Does the contract include liability protections for the partner city? Yes, the contract between SLWC and a partner city includes a comprehensive indemnification statement that protects the municipality from any and all potential liability. In addition to that protection, SLWC maintains insurance coverage in the unlikely event of an injury or damage to property. Additionally, all network contractors are both licensed and insured. Going even further, our policies are underwritten by A-rated insurers with an exceptionally strong balance sheet to provide additional confidence to both municipalities and homeowners that all eligible claims will be covered.
Why is a partner city’s logo used on SLWC mailings? SLWC and HomeServe are committed to transparency in all of our communications. Our partnership agreements with local municipalities allow the company to use related logos to indicate that there is a formal partnership in place, to let residents know that the offering is legitimate and to demonstrate that these entities have approved the service for the benefit of local residents. All SLWC and HomeServe materials clearly state that the services the company offers are voluntary and that they are offered by SLWC and HomeServe, a private company that is separate from the local municipality or city.
Does my homeowners insurance include this coverage? We strongly encourage homeowners to check the coverage within their existing home insurance policy as it may include coverage for exterior service lines as an add-on endorsement. However, it’s our experience that this coverage is not common. While a few insurance providers will allow homeowners to purchase additional coverage that comes with a deductible, the homeowner is then responsible for identifying a contractor and must pay the deductible out of pocket in order to submit a claim with their insurance provider. SLWC takes care of everything with a single phone call – no deductible and access to a talented network of local contractors.
For information, contact us.