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The following is in response to Mr. Mark Yoder’s letter to the editor, “Keyser mayor wrong to endorse private business with city letter” published in the November 17, 2011 edition of the Mineral Daily News Tribune. I am happy to provide some clarification on the “Service Line Warranty Program.”
The city is endorsing Utility Service Partners to do business in the city of Keyser. The Service Line Warranty Program is offered on a “voluntary” basis to assist homeowners in covering their water and sewer service lines. The cost for replacement of water and sewer lines can cost several thousand dollars and cause a great deal of inconvenience for the homeowner. These repairs are not generally covered by homeowner’s insurance policies. In fact, in speaking with representatives from both State Farm and Erie Insurance companies, the city has learned that unless a ryder is carried on homeowners policies there is no coverage for water and sewer issues. If a ryder is in place, accidental issues will be covered, however, problems arising from general maintenance or neglect are not. Citizens regularly call the city when they have problems with their service lines and are extremely disappointed when they learn that they are facing a multi-thousand dollar expense. It is our belief that offering our citizens a low cost, voluntary program to assist them is in the best interest of the citizens.
The Service Line Warranty Program has been reviewed and approved by the National League of Cities and the West Virginia Municipal League and is designed to offer good value for its subscribers. The program has been adopted by cities throughout the country.
Your statement that “These programs are scams, the terms and conditions make the policy nearly worthless” is simply inaccurate when referring to the Service Line Warranty program. We are happy to have a representative of Service Line Warranties, Inc. meet with you to review the contract and the terms and conditions. The company has a very high satisfaction rating and is a member of the Better Business Bureau. In these difficult economic times, we need to do everything possible to assist our citizens. The Service Line Warranty program is an excellent public-private partnership that provides a voluntary method of covering these expensive repairs.
If you have any additional questions or would like to speak with me or a representative of Service Line Warranties please feel free to contact me in City Hall at 304-788-1511. We would also encourage any resident considering the program to contact their private home owner’s insurance carrier and inquire about the coverage their personal policy would provide in regard to water or sewer line repair.
Randy Amtower
Mayor Keyser
The following is in response to Mr. Mark Yoder’s letter to the editor, “Keyser mayor wrong to endorse private business with city letter” published in the November 17, 2011 edition of the Mineral Daily News Tribune. I am happy to provide some clarification on the “Service Line Warranty Program.”
The city is endorsing Utility Service Partners to do business in the city of Keyser. The Service Line Warranty Program is offered on a “voluntary” basis to assist homeowners in covering their water and sewer service lines. The cost for replacement of water and sewer lines can cost several thousand dollars and cause a great deal of inconvenience for the homeowner. These repairs are not generally covered by homeowner’s insurance policies. In fact, in speaking with representatives from both State Farm and Erie Insurance companies, the city has learned that unless a ryder is carried on homeowners policies there is no coverage for water and sewer issues. If a ryder is in place, accidental issues will be covered, however, problems arising from general maintenance or neglect are not. Citizens regularly call the city when they have problems with their service lines and are extremely disappointed when they learn that they are facing a multi-thousand dollar expense. It is our belief that offering our citizens a low cost, voluntary program to assist them is in the best interest of the citizens.
The Service Line Warranty Program has been reviewed and approved by the National League of Cities and the West Virginia Municipal League and is designed to offer good value for its subscribers. The program has been adopted by cities throughout the country.
Your statement that “These programs are scams, the terms and conditions make the policy nearly worthless” is simply inaccurate when referring to the Service Line Warranty program. We are happy to have a representative of Service Line Warranties, Inc. meet with you to review the contract and the terms and conditions. The company has a very high satisfaction rating and is a member of the Better Business Bureau. In these difficult economic times, we need to do everything possible to assist our citizens. The Service Line Warranty program is an excellent public-private partnership that provides a voluntary method of covering these expensive repairs.
If you have any additional questions or would like to speak with me or a representative of Service Line Warranties please feel free to contact me in City Hall at 304-788-1511. We would also encourage any resident considering the program to contact their private home owner’s insurance carrier and inquire about the coverage their personal policy would provide in regard to water or sewer line repair.
Randy Amtower
Mayor Keyser
