UPDATED: July 19, 2019

The City of Great Falls has entered into an agreement with Service Line Warranties of America to provide optional service plan coverage to residential customers.

The service plans offered to City of Great Falls homeowners through SLWA are affordable solutions to assist with the cost of home repair emergencies, including sewer line blockages, breaks/water service line leaks on their property, or in-home plumbing issues, according to a city release.

In November, the City Commission approved a marketing agreement with SLWA.

The company approached the city to offer the service since the city is a member of the National League of Cities and Towns.

The agreement allowed the company to mail residents a campaign letter outlining the city’s endorsement as well as a reminder two weeks later, according to the November staff report.

Residents have the option to enroll in the program but are under no obligation to do so.

The policies are not for city-owned properties or commercial properties.

The agreement grants the company a non-exclusive license the use the City’s name and logo on letterhead, bills and marketing materials and the city receives 50 cent licence fee per product for each month that a product is in force for each property owner. The fee is paid to the city annually in January, according to city documents.

The term of the agreement is three years from the effective date with an automatic renewal for an additional one year term unless one of the parties gives written notice at least 90 days prior to the end of the term.

In May, the commission amended the agreement since the company was authorized by the state to offer products for external sewer/septic lines. If purchased, the program would cover from the exit point of a home up to the city’s service main as well as septic lines if applicable, according to the city documents.

“Many homeowners become frustrated when they discover a blocked sewer line or broken water pipe, and then learn that the repair is their responsibility. Homeowners are often unaware that these types of repairs are not covered by basic homeowner’s insurance policies or by the city,” according to the city release.

SLWA plan holders will have access to a repair hotline that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and repairs are performed by local, licensed, and insured contractors.

The SWLA program is voluntary for residents and provided at no cost to the City of Great Falls. No public funds are used to promote or administer the program, according to the city.

Homeowners will be receiving information in the mail about this new program in the next few weeks. To learn more about these optional service plans and SLWA, visit www.slwofa.com or call toll-free 1-866-922-9006.