Education and protection Option Announced for Utility Customers

Published on March 14, 2025

The city of Kalamazoo is introducing SLWA Insurance Services (SLWA) to the city’s utility customers in the region.  SLWA is a homeowner education and protection program for residents.  In the event of a service line leak or break on their property, the homeowner is responsible for arranging and paying for the repair.  The SLWA educates the homeowner about their service line responsibilities and informs them on optional protection for the water and sewer service lines that connect their homes to the City’s utility systems.

The coverage is voluntary and administered by SLWA and not by the City of Kalamazoo.  The Kalamazoo City Commission approved an agreement to make the coverage available last fall at the October 7 City Commission Business Meeting.  Participation in the protection program is completely optional and customers can simply choose to disregard the offer. 

The SLWA program helps protect against pipe repairs on homeowners’ property.  Repairs to these pipes are not covered by City of Kalamazoo, and a basic homeowners insurance policy usually doesn’t cover normal wear-and-tear to the pipes.  The warranty program offers repair and replacement coverage for pipeline sections that are the responsibility of the property owner to repair or replace.  In the below illustration, for example, the portions of the sanitary sewer lateral extending beyond the right-of-way are the responsibility of the property owner and not the responsibility of the City of Kalamazoo.

“In an example involving water service lines, Chapter 38 of the City Code defines water service lines beyond the discharge point of the water meter as the sole responsibility of the property owner,” explained Public Services Director James Baker.  “In locations where the water meter is in the yard, the water service from the discharge point of the water meter to the home or building is a private service and the sole responsibility of the property owner.  The warranty provides an option for homeowners to avoid potentially costly repairs when such situations occur.”

Participating residents whose service line needs to be repaired can call the SLWA 24-hour hotline to schedule a repair. SLWA will dispatch a local, licensed, and insured contractor familiar with local code to complete the repair.  There are no service fees or deductibles, and covered repairs are guaranteed for one year.

“SLWA plans can provide residents with an optional solution so they can be prepared for this type of unexpected repair,” said Tom Rusin, CEO of SLWA parent HomeServe North America.  “Our service plans not only cover the cost of the repair, but they also provide homeowners with reputable, local contractors who will do the best possible job.  We’re pleased to offer Kalamazoo residents these plans and look forward to the opportunity to provide homeowners with the assistance they need when faced with a home repair emergency.”

Michigan municipalities that offer the homeowner education and protection program include the following communities: Huntington Woods, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Rochester, Lincoln Park, Highland Park, Hamtramck, Benton Harbor, and others.  Information or questions about the SLWA are available at www.slwofa.com or by calling SLWA at 1-844-257-8796.