If your sewer is clogged, backing up or cracked, the result is not only messy in the most unpleasant way but can cost up to $7,500 in repairs. With one of the best home warranties, you won’t have to worry about paying thousands of dollars out of pocket if your sewer line breaks.
In addition to financial protection, a home warranty gives you instant access to the most qualified plumbers in your area.
What Is the Best Home Warranty for Sewer Line Coverage?
Our experts have researched dozens of sewer line home warranty providers and identified five that offer the best sewer line warranty companies:
Compare the Best Sewer Line Warranty Companies
The table below outlines data for the best home warranty companies on the market. We constantly update these ratings as companies change their policies and prices to give you the most accurate information possible. Continue reading in-depth reviews of several top providers.
Company | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Coverage Limit | Response Time | Rating | States Covered |
 | $46.83–$54.75+ | $85 | $3,000 | 24–48 hours | 4.0 | 49 states, excluding WA |
 | $49.99–$69.99+ | $65–$125 | $2,000 | 12–48 hours | 4.5 | 50 states |
 | $60.42–$63.75+ | $60–$75 | $3,000 | 24–48 hours | 4.3 | 47 states, excluding NV, WA, and WI |
 | $49.99–$99.99 | $75–$125 | $6,000 | 24–72 hours | 4.2 | 49 states, excluding AK |
 | $30.00–$60.00 | $75–$125 | $3,000 | 24–48 hours | 4.3 | 49 states, excluding HI |
 | $39.99–$54.99 | $100–$125 | $2,000 | 24–48 hours | 4.1 | 48 states, excluding AK and HI |
 | $17.00–$60.00 | $65–$100 | $2,500 | 24–48 hours | 4.0 | 42 states, excluding AK, HI, MT, NH, ND, OK, SD, and WY |
 | $36.00–$46.50 | $75–$125 | $3,500 | 24–48 hours | 3.9 | 34 states, excluding AK, CT, DE, HI, IL, LA, ME, MA, MN, NH, NJ, NY, ND, RI, VT, and WI |
*Quote and cost data gathered January 2023. Cost data are updated and monitored continuously.
Liberty Home Guard
4.5
Our Rating
Not only is Liberty Home Guard (LHG) known for its customer service and A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, but its customization is among the best in the home warranty industry. Two LHG warranty plans can also provide coverage for your sewer line.
Liberty Home Guard is the most customizable of all home warranty providers because of its more than 34 add-ons. Liberty differentiates itself from other home warranty providers with its outstanding customer service and reliable home warranty plans.
The Systems Guard and Appliance Guard plans offer sewer line coverage that covers the cost of repairing clogs and broken lines up to 100 feet from the access point. If your mainline breaks, you are only eligible for coverage if no excavation is required to access the pipeline.
Liberty Home Guard’s plans cover your appliances, systems, or a combination. The Systems Guard and Total Home Guard include coverage for your sewer line. Here’s a look at all three plans:
- Appliance Guard (starting at $49.99 per month): This plan may not cover your sewer line, but it will cover your clothes dryer, refrigerator, built-in microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, range/oven/cooktop, ceiling fans, exhaust fans and garage door openers.
- Systems Guard (starting at $54.99 per month): This plan offers sewer line coverage and also includes heating, ductwork, plumbing, electrical and water heaters.
- Total Home Guard (starting at $59.99 per month): You can get sewer line coverage and warranty coverage for all home appliances. This plan includes everything in the Appliance Guard and Systems Guard plans.
Liberty Home Guard has more than 34 add-ons, including coverage for luxury home appliances, pest control, and window cleaning services. You can add septic system pumping, plumbing fixtures, ejector pumps, well pumps, and sump pumps to your warranty plan.
Liberty Home Guard doesn’t cover home repairs for galvanized or polyethylene pipe, drain camera inspections, slab leaks or blockages of sewer lines that can’t be repaired with a drain snake or cable. Coverage for sewer lines applies only if the damage is due to normal wear and tear.
Select Home Warranty
4.2
Our Rating
Select Home Warranty has more than 10 years of experience in the home warranty industry, providing customers with around-the-clock service. With great coverage for your clogged or cracked sewer lines, this home warranty company should be at the top of your list.
Select Home Warranty offers a low service fee of $75, a fast response time of 24 to 48 hours, and a high coverage rate for your HVAC systems. Combined with affordable additional services and coverage for your sewer line, this home warranty easily becomes one of the best in the industry.
Under its Gold Care and Platinum Care plans, homeowners can get sewer line repair plans that cover damage due to normal wear and tear up to $500. A home warranty plan from Select covers sewer line leaks and sewer line blockages up to 100 feet from the point of access.
Select Home Warranty offers three plans that cover home appliances, home systems, or both. The Gold Care and Platinum Care plans include sewer line coverage, but each plan includes the following:
- Gold Care (starting at $60.42 per month): This plan is an affordable option for sewer line coverage and includes air conditioning, heating system, plumbing system, electrical system, water heater and ductwork.
- Bronze Care (starting at $60.42 per month): This plan may not cover your sewer line, but it does cover your clothes washer and dryer, garbage disposal, refrigerator, stove/oven, built-in microwave, cooktop and dishwasher.
- Platinum Care (starting at $63.75 per month): Your sewer line will be covered with this plan because it covers all the systems and appliances in the Gold Care and Bronze Care plans.
You can choose from more than a dozen additional items, including septic system coverage, lawn and sprinkler systems, and sump pumps. Select’s base home warranty plans don’t cover the fixtures on your plumbing and electrical systems, so you will have to purchase this coverage separately.
Select Home Warranty doesn’t cover anything that would be covered under your home insurance or manufacturer’s warranty. If your sewer line was damaged due to tree root infiltration or freezing, it won’t be covered by your Select warranty.
Select Home Warranty will cover up to $3,000 for your HVAC systems but only $500 for plumbing, appliances, and electrical systems.
American Home Shield
4.2
Our Rating
With more than 50 years of home warranty experience and a stellar company reputation, American Home Shield is one of the best warranty companies for your sewer line, regardless of the city you live in.
American Home Shield offers one of the higher coverage limits for your systems, which includes your sewer line. That means if your sewer line breaks due to normal wear and tear and needs repair, it’s covered up to $5,000 by your AHS warranty.
Homeowners also receive coverage up to $5,000 for their HVAC systems and $2,000 to $4,000 for each home appliance, depending on the plan. Most home warranty providers offer coverage amounts of $2,000 or less, so AHS is one of the best providers for comprehensive sewer system coverage.
Warranty plans from American Home Shield offer comprehensive coverage for your home systems and appliances. Each of the following plans will provide coverage for your sewer line:
- ShieldSilver (starting at $49.99 per month): This plan will cover your sewer line but many other home systems as well, such as heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing systems. It doesn’t include home appliances. You can add protection for electronics, pools and spas, roof leaks and more.
- ShieldGold (starting at $69.99 per month): This plan covers your sewer line and 23 major household systems and appliances, including heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing. This plan differs from the ShieldSilver plan by adding kitchen and laundry appliances coverage.
- ShieldPlatinum (starting at $99.99 per month): This plan includes all items in the previous plans, including all 23 major household systems and appliances. It comes with higher coverage caps and roof leakage protection.
American Home Shield warranties provide comprehensive coverage, but some homeowners may want additional benefits, including pools, hot tubs, septic pumps, electronics, and more. The ShieldPlatinum plan includes limited roof leak coverage, but it can be added to any plan for an additional monthly fee.
American Home Shield will cover leaks and breaks in your sewer line caused by normal wear and tear and won’t cover septic system sewage ejector pumps unless this coverage is purchased separately. AHS covers up to 100 feet of utility lines from the access point.
Choice Home Warranty
4.1
Our Rating
Choice Home Warranty is a well-known company with an excellent service line warranty program. With more than 5 million claims handled since its inception in 2008, Choice is a great option for homeowners who want good sewer utility line protection.
Choice Home Warranty will cover leaks, blockages, and cracks in your water, drain, gas, vent, and sewer lines but won’t cover any breakages outside the home’s main foundation. Although sewer line coverage will cover up to $3,000 in sewer line repairs, this coverage doesn’t extend to sewer lines that are infiltrated by tree roots or foreign objects.
Choice Home Warranty has an excellent claim acceptance rate and will cover the cost to repair damages as long as it is covered under your warranty plan.
Both Choice Home Warranty plans offer sewer line coverage, so you can get plumbing coverage at the lowest cost possible. These two plan options include:
- Basic Plan (starting at $46.84 per month): This plan is perfect for homeowners on a budget who want excellent sewer line coverage for an affordable price. Covered items include your heating system, electrical system, plumbing system, plumbing stoppage, water heater, Whirlpool bathtub, oven/cooktop, dishwasher, built-in microwave, garbage disposal, ductwork, garage door opener and ceiling/exhaust fans.
- Total Plan (starting at $54.75 per month): This comprehensive plan includes sewer line coverage and home repair coverage for all your major home systems. It includes the systems and appliances in the Basic Plan with the addition of your clothes dryer, clothes washer, refrigerator and air conditioning system.
Choice Home Warranty provides additional coverage for your swimming pool, well pump, sump pump, septic system, septic tank pumping, and more. Any of these covered items can be added for an additional monthly fee.
Choice Home Warranty covers repairs up to $3,000 for all items covered under basic warranty plans, but coverage amounts for add-on policies range from $250 to $500 in coverage. Choice covers preexisting conditions that were not previously known, but coverage generally applies only to normal wear and tear. Septic tank pumping coverage is up to $250, and you can get up to $500 for your septic system.
How Can You Take Care of Your Sewer Lines?
To ensure that you get home warranty coverage should your sewer lines fail, you need to take care of the system. Home warranties cover sewer repairs only if they are due to normal wear and tear, so preventive maintenance is key to getting the most out of your home warranty plan.
Take care of your sewer and water lines by following these best practices:
- Don’t put paper products down the drain. Paper products such as feminine hygiene products, paper towels, wet wipes, and disposable diapers can clog your drains. Unlike toilet paper, designed to deteriorate, these products can lead to blockages.
- Don’t pour grease down the drain. When grease hardens, it can cause blockages in the drain. Instead of pouring hot, liquid grease down the drain, pour it into a heat-resistant container and throw it away when it has cooled and hardened.
- Be careful about what goes down your garbage disposal. Your garbage disposal can take care of most food items, but avoid putting anything too hard down your disposal, such as animal bones and dense vegetables.
- Monitor and manage tree roots. Tree roots can enter your sewer and water lines if not properly maintained. Monitor your tree roots and hire a professional to prune them if they grow too much.
- Install plastic pipes. PVC pipes are much more resistant to tree roots and damage, so replace old pipes with plastic piping.
- Install a backwater prevention valve. Have a professional plumber install a backwater prevention valve to prevent sewer water from coming into your home.
How Do Sewer Line Warranties Work?
Sewer line warranties work the same as any home warranty: As soon as you notice a problem with your sewer line, call your home warranty provider and submit a claim online. Here’s how the process typically works.
Identify a Sewer Line Issue
Aside from the lingering odor of sewage in or around your home, there are few telltale signs that your sewer system may be damaged or obstructed, including:
- Slow draining showers, sinks, and toilets
- Frequent clogs and backups
- Standing or stagnant water in your yard
- Signs and sightings of rodents, cockroaches, and other coprophagous pests
- Cracked concrete foundation slabs
If you already have a home warranty that covers outside plumbing with sewer line protection and suspect there’s something wrong with your sewer system, here’s what you’ll need to do to access your coverage benefits.
Open a Claim and Request Service
The first step you’ll need to take is notifying your provider of the issue at hand. Most home warranty companies offer 24/7 customer service, so call to contact a representative or log into your online member portal.
After reporting the issue, your service provider will usually take 24-48 hours to verify the claim and ensure that the problem at hand is covered under your warranty. Once your claim has been approved, your provider will dispatch a pre-screened technician to your property to assess the issue.
Schedule an Initial Service Appointment
You’ll need to be prepared to pay the service call fee as disclosed in your contract at this diagnostic appointment. The contractor dispatched to your home will use this time to diagnose your sewer system’s problem and then draft a quote for the servicing necessary to resolve the issue. This quote will be communicated back to your service provider.
Get Repairs or Replacements
After a diagnosis is made, the repair appointment for covered items only will be scheduled. Depending on the course of action that your service provider decides to take, you’ll be spared the cost of any maintenance that occurs within your annual coverage limit. All other necessary work that exceeds your coverage maximum will be left to you to pay for.
For all parts and elements listed within your contract, the sewer line repair will be covered by insurance. However, your service policy will have a list of exclusions that will not be covered by insurance.
What Does a Sewer Line Warranty Cover?
Sewer line warranty coverage is meant to cover the cost of repairing clogs, leaks, and breaks caused by normal wear and tear of your sewer and water lines. Most home warranty plans, such as those offered by Liberty Home Guard and Select Home Warranty, cover the major problems that can arise with your sewer line, but some limitations apply.
Under most home warranty plans, a sewer line warranty covers:
- Breaks, cracks, and leaks in your water pipes, either within or beneath the foundation
- Blockages in your water lines, lateral lines, and sewer lines
- Repairs or replacements of old pipes, valves, seals, and joints
- Pipe damage due to rust, corrosion, or sediment (may vary by provider)
Exclusions and Limitations of Sewer Line Warranties
Each home warranty provider will have slightly different exclusions and limitations to their warranty coverage of your sewer line. Most providers have an annual coverage limit of $1,500 to $3,000 for sewer and water lines. On the other hand, American Home Shield has an unlimited coverage cap for plumbing systems.
The most common exclusions on your sewer line include the following:
- Leak detection and testing
- Pipes that have collapsed, cracked, or broken down due to freezing
- Repairs that exceed the annual coverage limit
- Septic tank draining and cleaning
- Sewer line damages that extend beyond the specified length from the foundation or main sewer hook-ups
- Tree root damage
- Waste disposal
How Much Do Sewer Line Warranties Cost?
The total monthly cost of your home warranty can vary depending on the service fee you choose and the additional household items you add to your warranty plan. The average monthly cost of sewer line coverage ranges from $45 to $65 per month, but the national average is $50 per month for the most basic system plan that covers your sewer line.
With most home warranty providers, sewer line coverage is included in your base rates, so you don’t have to worry about paying additional fees to cover your sewer line. However, if you have a septic tank instead of a shared sewer system, you may need to purchase additional coverage for your decentralized septic tank. On average, these additional costs are affordable at $10 or less per month.
Factors That Affect Sewer Line Warranty Costs
Because base warranty plans cover sewer lines, the cost is based on the complete coverage of that plan. Your monthly cost is mostly determined by the following:
- Number and type of systems and appliances included in the plan. More comprehensive plans tend to be more expensive. For example, appliance-only or systems-only plans are typically less expensive than combination plans.
- Service call fee. The lower your service call fee, the higher your monthly premium, and vice versa. The service call fee is what you pay per claim, so you will have a higher monthly cost if you have a $75 service fee instead of a $125 service fee.
- Add-on coverage. Add-on items are typically less than $15 per month, but your monthly cost can quickly add up if you add more than one. To keep costs down, only choose the add-ons you need, such as a septic tank if you have one on your property.
Is Sewer Line Warranty Coverage Worth It?
Because sewer lines aren’t always covered by homeowners insurance, a sewer line warranty may be worthwhile. If your sewer line backs up or leaks, it can cost up to $7,500 to repair. Given these high repair costs, paying as little as $600 per year for a home warranty is worth it for peace of mind.
Home warranties not only cover sewer lines and water service lines but provide protection plans for nearly every major appliance and system in your home. In addition, home warranties cover repair costs for normal wear and tear that aren’t covered by your home insurance policy.
What Should You Look For in a Sewer Line Warranty?
When looking for sewer line warranty coverage, there are several factors that you should keep in mind. Your sewer line will often be covered under plumbing systems, but certain components of that sewer line may need to be added as extra coverage. In addition, your sewer line will be subject to exclusions, so carefully read your contract to determine the extent of coverage.
As you explore sewer line warranty coverage, keep the following in mind:
- Plumbing systems coverage
- Mainline coverage
- Exclusions and limitations
Plumbing Systems Coverage
Many home warranty companies offer plumbing systems coverage as part of their systems or combination plans, but this coverage can vary depending on the provider.
If you want sewer line coverage, choose the home warranty provider that offers the most comprehensive coverage for your plumbing system, which may include the following:
- Drain line clogs
- Faucets, shower heads, and shower arms
- Hose bibbs — both interior and exterior
- Leaks or breakdowns of your water line, waste line (sewer line), gas line, and vent line
- Toilet bowls, toilet tanks, flangers, wax seal rings, and tank assembly parts
- Water heaters
Fixtures aren’t always included in plumbing system coverage but can be purchased as additional coverage.
Mainline Coverage
The mainline can be covered by your home warranty and is often covered up to 100 feet from the main access point. Mainline damage is often a lot more expensive than sewer line and water line damage, but you should expect the same service fees.
Exclusions and Limitations
Some companies have lower coverage caps for plumbing systems than other home systems, such as heating and cooling. For example, Liberty Home Guard covers up to $2,000 for HVAC repairs, but up to $500 for plumbing and sewer line repairs.
This means that you may get less coverage and lower coverage caps as compared to other home systems, so look for the home warranty company that offers the most comprehensive coverage and highest coverage caps for your sewer line, like the unlimited systems coverage from AHS. Unlike your plumbing systems which are included in base home warranty plans, septic system warranty coverage is often extra.
So, What is the Best Home Warranty for Sewer Lines?
Since every homeowner’s needs are different, the best home warranty for sewer lines is the one that best fits your needs. Every provider on our list offers excellent sewer line coverage. It all depends on how much you want to pay each month and what coverage you want.
If you want comprehensive coverage for your utility lines, you should choose a plan from American Home Shield or Choice Home Warranty, as these providers offer a high amount of coverage for plumbing lines.
FAQs about Sewer Line Warranties
Does homeowners insurance cover sewer line issues?
Unless you purchase specific coverage for your sewer lines, you likely won’t get sewer line protection from your home insurance. Some national home insurance providers may have sewer line insurance available, but you may need to add it to your plan at an additional cost.
Does homeowners insurance cover septic tanks?
Because septic tanks are commonly located outside the home’s main structure, septic tanks aren’t often covered by home insurance policies. You may be able to purchase a home insurance rider — i.e., additional coverage — that includes your septic tank, but even this won’t cover repair costs should your septic tank break down due to normal wear and tear as a home warranty would.
Does homeowners insurance cover tree roots in the sewer line?
Home insurance covers sudden damage from natural disasters, so it may not cover tree root damage. Tree root damage is a gradual process, which is why it is often not covered by home insurance plans.
Methodology: How We Evaluated Home Warranty Companies for Sewer Line Coverage
At Today’s Homeowner, we strive to bring you the most transparent, accurate information for your home improvement projects. Our home warranty company ratings emphasize what matters most to you — whether you’re looking for low-cost coverage, a hassle-free repair process, 24/7 assistance, or all of the above.
Our ratings are based on publicly available information about each company, secret shopping online and over the phone, customer-review analysis, and discussions with real estate professionals and repair contractors.
A company can earn a maximum of 100 points across six categories converted to a five-star scale. We researched more than 60 home warranty providers to develop the following formula:
- Plans and Coverage (24 points): A home warranty provider can earn the maximum point value in this category if it offers multiple robust plans that cover all basic systems and appliances and optional add-on coverage. We give bonus points to companies that cover uncommon items, such as electronics and roof leaks.
- Affordability (22.5 points): When evaluating costs, we not only consider monthly plan prices, but we also take into account the cost of add-on coverage, service fees, and whether companies offer free cancellation periods or money-back guarantees. If a provider allows potential customers to view sample contracts before getting a quote, that transparency earns more points in this category.
- Customer Experience (18.5 points): A home warranty company must give its customers ample support when they experience issues. We gauge overall support by looking at customer reviews and conducting homeowner surveys. We also go through the quotes process with each company and take meticulous notes about the friendliness of salespeople, how detailed each quote is, and how often the provider contacts us after giving a quote.
- Company Reputation (17.5 points): In this category, we look at a combination of customer reviews and reputable organizations such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We also consider the years of company experience, how satisfied its employees are, and whether it has been hit with any consumer rights violations or lawsuits.
- Claims Process (12.5 points): We score providers highly when they offer short response times, multiple ways to file claims, and around-the-clock availability. Companies can earn bonus points if they have a good reputation for quick and easy claims processing.
- Availability (5 points): Providers that serve more areas can have experience dealing with a wider range of homeowner headaches. A company earns the maximum points in this category if it offers services in most U.S. states.
We monitor company data on an ongoing basis to keep rankings and information up to date.
