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May 19, 2023

Best Home Warranties for Sewer Lines of 2023

Sewer line damage can lead to foul smells and mold that you want to quickly

Sewer line damage can lead to foul smells and mold that you want to quickly remove from your home. A sewer line warranty can protect you from unexpected costs if your system breaks down due to normal wear and tear and needs repairs.

We at the Guides Home Team have extensively researched the best home warranty companies nationwide and highlighted the top choices for sewer line coverage. Read on to learn more about sewer line coverage and how much it costs.

Most top-rated home warranty providers cover sewer lines to some extent. Coverage typically applies to the following scenarios:

However, a home warranty will not cover all sewer line and plumbing system malfunctions. Common coverage exclusions include:

Rather than include sewer line coverage in base protection plans, most home warranty providers offer supplemental or add-on coverage for your sewage system. Typically, you can add protection for your septic tank systems — which includes sewage ejector pumps, jet pumps and aerobic pumps — and septic tank pumping.

Note: We based all cost data in this article on sample quotes we pulled from each company for a single-family home smaller than 5,000 square feet in Raleigh, N.C.

► Year founded: 1971► State availability: 49 (excludes Alaska)

American Home Shield (AHS) is our pick for overall value when it comes to sewer line protection, earning 4.6 out of 5 stars based on our provider review methodology. AHS offers extensive coverage for your sewer lines — the company's standard coverage includes breakdowns from rust, corrosion and sediment. Plus, it extends generous coverage caps of up to $1,000 for plumbing work.

+ Offers three home warranty plans and two service call fee options

+ Basic plan covers mainline drain stoppages within 100 feet of an access point

+ Covers rust, corrosion and sediment damage for home systems

– Only offers add-on coverage for sump pumps and septic tank pumping

– Coverage is not available in Hawaii or Alaska

American Home Shield's three coverage plans — ShieldSilver™, ShieldGold™ and ShieldPlatinum™ — cover leaks and blockages in your home's plumbing within 100 feet of its foundation. The company also provides up to $1,000 for pipe access repairs, which is more than some competitors. However, AHS does not cover line breaks outside your home's foundation or breaks caused by excessive tree root growth.

American Home Shield allows you to pick a service call fee of $100 or $125. Here's a pricing breakdown of American Home Shield plans per month:

To Learn More: American Home Shield Review

► Year founded: 2017► State availability: 50

Although it has only been in business for five years, Liberty Home Guard earned 4.5 out of 5 stars based on our review standards. The company offers plans with standard coverage for home repairs due to clogs in drain lines within 100 feet of an access point. Liberty is also known for its customer service and extensive add-on options, which include supplemental sewer line protection.

+ Offers a 60-day workmanship guarantee for repairs performed by company technicians

+ Basic plan covers mainline drain and plumbing stoppages clearable with a snake within 100 feet of an access point

+ Provides 24/7 customer service online via chat or over the phone

– Plans exclude coverage for pipe access repairs

– Assigns you a service call fee, rather than letting you select your own

Liberty Home Guard offers three standard plans: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard and Total Home Guard. While Appliance Guard strictly covers appliances, Systems Guard and Total Home Guard protect sewer lines. Both plans cover leaks and breaks in your home's water, drain and waste lines. Coverage extends to mainline stoppages only if there's an accessible ground-level cleanout that hasn't collapsed.

Liberty Home Guard personalizes your service fee based on your location, plan selection and coverage add-ons. It typically falls between $65 to $125. Here's a pricing breakdown of Liberty Home Guard plans per month:

To Learn More: Liberty Home Guard Review

► Year founded: 2012► State availability: 46 (excludes New Mexico, Nevada, Washington and Wyoming)

Select Home Warranty is our pick for budget-friendly protection, making it a solid choice if you’re looking for decent sewer line coverage at a reasonable price. It received 4.5 out of 5 stars based on our review. Each plan costs less than $50 per month with a $75 service call fee, which falls on the low end compared to other providers on this list. Select offers a variety of plans, including options that cover sewer line damage due to normal wear-and-tear, leaks and blockages.

+ Offers budget-friendly plans with varying coverages

+ Covers mainline drain stoppages within 100 feet of an access point

+ Charges a relatively low service call fee compared to other providers

– Does not allow you to choose your own service technician

– Clears mainline stoppages only if there is an accessible ground-level cleanout

Select Home Warranty has three plans: Bronze Care, Gold Care and Platinum Care. While Platinum Care covers blockages in sewer, main and vent lines, Gold Care covers plumbing system repairs, such as leaks in water lines. The Bronze Care plan only includes home appliances, like built-in microwaves, stoves and refrigerators.

Here's a pricing breakdown of Select Home Warranty plans per month with the company's standard $75 service call fee:

To Learn More: Select Home Warranty Review

► Year founded: 2009► State availability: 49 (excludes Hawaii)

AFC Home Club is our pick for most coverage options, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars based on our methodology. The company has extensive coverage options, offering plumbing system protection with three of its four plans. It also extends both single and multi-year home service contracts and a lengthy workmanship guarantee that lasts the duration of your policy — which can be as long as three years.

+ Includes a workmanship guarantee for the life of your service contract

+ Covers mainline drain stoppages from an access point

+ Provides unique perks such as identity protection and free credit monitoring

– Requires that you file a claim as soon as you detect an issue

– Plans exclude coverage for pipe access repair

AFC Home Club has four plans — Silver, System, Gold and Platinum — and provides standard sewer line coverage in all but the Silver plan. The Systems, Gold and Platinum plans cover up to $500 in plumbing repairs. Note that the company's sample contract does not specify how far within your home's foundation a mainline access point needs to be for coverage to kick in.

AFC Home Club allows you to choose from three service fee options: $75, $100 or $125. Your monthly premium will vary based on the service fee amount you select. Here's a pricing breakdown of AFC Home Club plans per month:

To Learn More: AFC Home Club Review

A home warranty plan is a service contract that covers major appliances and home systems, like your sewer line, as they begin to fail due to age-related breakdowns. Along with whole-house interior plumbing and toilet maintenance, sewer line coverage is typically a standard inclusion in most home protection policies. But before you sign up with a provider, read the fine print of its sample policy to be clear on coverage inclusions and exclusions. If you are a septic system owner, you should be especially cognizant of what is and is not included under a company's standard sewer line coverage.

As with any home warranty, you can purchase a policy once you find a provider that covers your sewer line needs. If your sewer line breaks for a covered reason, you can file a claim with your home warranty company to request a repair. The company will then send a technician to assess the damage and perform maintenance. In addition to your monthly premium cost, you will also have to pay a service call fee or deductible every time a technician visits your home. If a repair is covered by your policy, your provider will pay for the costs as long as it falls within the coverage limits outlined in your contract.

Because sewer line protection is generally considered a standard inclusion across most home warranties, covering your sewer system is included in your monthly premium. The average home warranty costs between $39 and $63 per month. On top of your monthly premium, you’ll be responsible for paying a service call fee. This fee is similar to a deductible, which you’ll have to pay each time you file a claim for a new issue. Service call fees vary from provider to provider, but most fall between $60 and $125.

Remember that only home warranty plans that include major systems will offer comprehensive coverage for your sewer lines. An appliance-only plan will not extend to sewer and plumbing issues but rather cover items like your cooktop, garbage disposal or washer. It's also important to check the covered items for a systems-only plan, as some may include things like your electrical system, central vacuum or heating system but not plumbing.

Additionally, base home warranty plans typically do not include coverage for septic tanks, sump pumps, ejector pumps, grinder pumps and plumbing fixtures. Instead, these items may be available as policy add-ons for an additional monthly fee.

You can maintain your main sewer line in several ways. Here are a few recommendations:

Sewer lines may be easy to forget because they’re out of sight, but proper maintenance and care are the best way to prevent a leak or breakage. A home warranty can save you the expensive headache of dealing with a mainline clog, plus can give you peace of mind knowing you have protection for other covered repairs.

We like American Home Shield because it offers coverage for sewer lines in its base plan. It also includes septic system coverage in its comprehensive ShieldGold™ plan, which most other providers only offer as an add-on. Liberty Home Guard provides top-notch customer service and offers add-ons to further protect your sewer lines. AFC Home Club guarantees covered sewer line repairs for the life of your plan. For affordable septic system protection, Select Home Warranty offers an add-on of up to $400 per year in related coverage, priced at just over $5 per month.

We recommend that you request at least three quotes from different providers to accurately compare sewer line coverage options and costs. You should read each provider's sample contract and speak to a representative to answer any questions before signing up for your home warranty plan.

The lifespan of a residential sewer line depends on its material. Clay pipes, which are typical in homes built before 1980, last an average of 50 to 60 years. Homes built after the 1980s most commonly feature PVC pipes, which are designed to last over 100 years.

Homeowners insurance policies typically do not cover sewer line blockages since they are considered preventable. However, homeowners insurance will cover damage to your sewer line due to something out of your control, like a tornado or other natural disaster.

Since a home warranty covers sewer lines due to normal wear and tear, purchasing a policy can help fill coverage gaps that your home insurance leaves behind.

If you notice any of these symptoms, your sewer line may be clogged:

All these symptoms indicate your sewer lines need to be checked by a qualified plumber and fixed before further damage occurs.

A home warranty can provide coverage for multiple systems and appliances in your home. For example, you can purchase plans that cover everything from your refrigerator and ice maker to ceiling fans, ductwork, water heater, HVAC and more. Other plans may include unique protections for things like roof leaks or electronics.

You can check out our detailed guide about what home warranties cover to learn more.

Our team created a comprehensive rating system to rank providers based on objective factors. We researched each company by speaking with company representatives, reading sample contracts, and analyzing and comparing consumer reviews. We deepened our research by gaining homeowner insights through surveys and focus groups.

After collecting data, we scored each provider based on what matters most to homeowners: plan options, cost, trustworthiness, customer service, state availability, additional benefits and coverage specifics.

Here's the breakdown of how we scored each home warranty company on our list:

Our review methodology for home warranty companies is intended to provide a thorough overview of the best providers nationwide. To learn more, you can read our full home warranty methodology.

Meredith Kucik is a writer with experience covering home warranties, real estate, personal finance and homeownership. She has published work in local and national media publications across the home services category, reaching consumers from homebuyers to home sellers to real estate professionals. Meredith graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a bachelor's degree in Creative Writing.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York's Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.