Insurer Markets Frozen Pipe Insurance in Sioux City

The City Council has agreed to help an insurer market coverage for damage from frozen water and sewer pipes in Sioux City, Iowa.

On Monday the council approved an agreement with HomeServe USA. Mayor Bob Scott says he hopes people can start signing up on Nov. 1, because there’s a 30-day waiting period before the coverage begins.

The voluntary program lets property owners receive water line coverage for $4.49 per month and sewer line coverage for $7.99 a month. People already can insure their water lines through other private firms, but city leaders say they negotiated lower-than-average rates.

City officials have estimated that more than 50 homeowners had to pay for line repairs last winter, at an average of $4,000 for water lines and $5,000 to $7,000 for sewer lines.