Sewer & Water Insurance Plans (SWIP)

Lateral Insurance

One of the most expensive and potentially traumatic home repairs you will have to make is replacing a damaged lateral pipe, the line that runs from the outside of your home to the main sewer collection line in the street. Ask anyone who has had to endure the headache of replacing one. It’s difficult to find a contractor you trust, and worst of all, it is costly - ranging anywhere from $3,500 to $15,000 to replace a leaky or plugged line. The fact is, it is likely to happen at least once in the life of your home.

While your sewer district ensures that the main sewer collection lines are in top repair, it has always been the homeowner’s responsibility to fix a damaged or plugged lateral since they are privately owned and the line runs through private property.

About the Program

To help alleviate that burden, the Sandy Suburban Improvement District utilizes an innovative new program to cover the cost should your lateral line fail. Since October 1, 2014, Sandy Suburban has offered the Sewer and Water Insurance Plans (SWIP), a policy that pays for the repair, maintenance, or replacement of a faulty line.

If you have a sewer backup, call the District at 801-561-7662. We will send our crew to determine if the cause is with our main line or with your lateral. If the cause of the backup is with your lateral, we will give you information to contact SWIP to begin the claim process. A licensed contractor will come to your home and inspect the pipe. Should it need to be repaired or replaced, SWIP will see to it that the work is done correctly, and it will cover the full cost.

Why the Program Exists

Why has Sandy Suburban implemented this program? Because it’s important for the entire community that all laterals work properly and efficiently. It is good for the environment and it is good for the treatment of our local water supply, it also eliminates the prohibitive cost of fixing a lateral so you can get it done without worry.

The program covers a wide variety of issues that can lead to a damaged lateral, including many cases of improper maintenance or construction and natural catastrophes such as floods, landslides, and sinkholes (but excluding earthquakes).

Covered Repairs / Replacements

SWIP will cover all costs of either repairing or replacing the lateral, including:

  • Raking and reseeding the affected areas.
  • Restoring affected landscaping elements such as trees, shrubs or other structures.
  • Restoring private driveways and sidewalks.
  • Restoring public road and sidewalk areas required by permit.

Additional Benefits

Other benefits to using this program include:

  • There is no service-call charge to you.
  • Homeowners insurance does not cover the cost of lateral repair or replacement.
  • There is no need to search for a reputable contractor. All work is done by a licensed, insured contractor provided by SWIP.
  • SWIP is implemented by Sandy-based Evolution Insurance Brokers, and all work is guaranteed.