Jayne Kirkpatrick, Public Affairs Director
Prepared by and for more information:  Carolyn B. Dumas, Public Information Manager, Public Utilities Department, 919-996-3473

June 10, 2012

Customer Alert Regarding Water and Sewer Line Insurance

Residents in the City of Raleigh service area (Garner, Knightdale, Raleigh, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon) have recently received letters encouraging the purchase of utility insurance coverage for water and sewer lines on their property.

These mailings are worded such that the offer appears to be a collaboration between the company and the City of Raleigh and/or other local municipalities. City of Raleigh officials advise residents that these solicitations are not endorsed, nor are the companies contracted by the City of Raleigh to offer water or sewer service line insurance coverage or water line protection on the City’s behalf.

Independent companies such as HomeServe and American Water Resources, in addition to public utility companies such as PSNC and Progress Energy offer this type of insurance coverage. City of Raleigh officials suggest that if you choose to purchase this type of insurance, that you research the company and carefully read details of the coverage being offered before you enroll.

For further information regarding the validity of these types of solicitations, contact:

• City of Raleigh, Public Utilities Public Information Office at 919-996-3473;
• NC Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General at 919-716-6400 or visit their website for tips on how to Avoid Consumer Scams; and,
• Check out any business at the Attorney General Roy Cooper’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.