Be weary of water line insurance solicitation

Recently several Ritzville residents have received an official looking document from Home Emergency Insurance Solutions.

This document starts out, “Important information regarding your water line.” It then lists your name and home address.

It is an advertisement from a company known as Home Emergency Insurance Solutions, also known as Home Serve USA Corp., headquartered in Connecticut and has a ‘C’ rating from the Connecticut Better Business Bureau (BBB). The company has had to answer two government actions in the past year, which led to the addition of the statement that they are not a government organization and that the insurance is optional.

“Even the name of the company is scary, combining the words home and emergency in the same line,” said Blair Looney, CEO and president of the BBB serving Central California. “Homeowners are responsible for the maintenance of the water pipes leading from the water meter into the house, but they should check with their own local insurance agent to see if they need coverage since it may not be necessary in newer homes.”

The Connecticut BBB has placed the following statement in the company’s report.

“BBB has received numerous complaints, from consumers across the country, concerning this business’s direct mail solicitations, specifically that the solicitations’ layout may cause consumers to perceive the letters as coming from the consumers’ utility companies and not an independent business selling home warranty or insurance coverage.

BBB also received customer complaints concerning coverage issues, specifically that when a problem occurred, it was not covered by the policy.”

The BBB encourages all consumers to carefully read every solicitation they receive, including the fine print. Don’t automatically assume you need whatever is being sold.

Always check the company’s Business Review with the BBB by calling your local office or at http://www.cencal.bbb.org.

More information can be obtained by searching, “BBB issues consumer alert about Home Emergency Insurance Solutions” on the Web.

This solicitation is in no way associated with, recommended or approved by the City of Ritzville.