Sewer backups are scary situations for just about anyone. The best way for sewer operations to help their customers avoid backups is by informing them of sewer backup endorsements they can get from their homeowners insurance company for a very reasonable price.
Soon, any Pool member that participates in the Pool’s No-Fault Water & Sewer Backup coverage will be able to provide cleanup service to their constituents through our new partnership with SERVPRO. If one of your customers has a backup, they now have access to 24/7 emergency cleanup response from an industry-leading network of professionals prepared to do the dirty work. By being a Pool member, your district’s purchasing power is combined with your peers, which allows us to provide this service at 75% of the regular cost.
SERVPRO will respond to water damage scenarios statewide, including both water delivery system accidents and sewer system mainline backup incidents.
When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals respond without delay and use advanced equipment and techniques to remove the water quickly. They closely monitor and document the drying process to verify your customer’s property is dried properly and thoroughly. They will also work with other local water extraction companies to meet the quality control established for Pool payment of services.
Our expanded program provides up to $5,000 per claimant with a $150,000 total amount per occurrence aggregate. A limit per claimant will allow quicker payment to each claimant rather than collecting cleanup invoices from all claimants in order to pro-rate the previously shared limit of $15,000.
Advanced Equipment and Techniques
SERVPRO’s advanced equipment helps to detect hidden moisture, extract the standing water quickly, and clean and dry a home and belongings. They finish the job with professional deodorization and sanitizing agents for the occupant’s comfort and safety.
This program goes a long way toward solving a potentially serious issue for your customers, but increased limits come with increased costs that are paid for by Water and Sanitation members. Since reducing risk is one of the Pool’s primary missions, we know that more needs to be done to curb those costs.
In many of these cases, the liability for the event lies with the homeowner, and that represents a $300,000 bill every year that the Pool and its members pay. This bill should be paid by the claimant’s homeowners’ insurance. To help move those costs off your own balance sheet, members need to be distributing information about homeowners’ insurance options to their customers.
The Pool has set up a program to help educate the public about these options. This includes trifold brochures, flyers, written content for your website, as well as a fully built site you can link to. Brochures are available for as little as $0.20 each and list 17 homeowners insurance carriers. Some of these endorsements can cover between $10,000 and $50,000 for just $10 to $50 per year.
