American Home Shield is our pick for the best sewer line warranty provider because of its comprehensive plumbing coverage and protection for sewer line repairs. Sewer line damage can lead to backups in your sinks, showers, and toilets, while major repairs may require excavation to reach damaged pipes. The right home warranty can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs when covered sewer line problems occur.
Our team reviewed the best home warranty companies that offer sewer and plumbing line coverage, comparing their plans and protections to find our top picks. We also surveyed 2,000 homeowners nationwide about their home warranty experiences for additional insight into sewer line and plumbing protection. Keep reading to compare our top providers and learn what to consider when choosing sewer line coverage.
Key Takeaways
- American Home Shield is our top pick thanks to its unlimited coverage caps for most plumbing repairs and covers undetectable preexisting conditions.
- Home warranty plans with sewer line coverage typically cost $40–$90 per month according to our cost analysis, though pricing can vary based on your chosen coverage and location.
- Nearly 58% of homeowners in our 2026 home warranty survey who filed sewer line claims said their issues were resolved within one week.
Top Home Warranty Companies for Sewer Lines
After researching 13 home warranty companies nationwide, we picked these providers as our top choices for sewer line coverage:
- American Home Shield: Best for Comprehensive Coverage
- Choice Home Warranty: Best Basic Plan Coverage
- First American Home Warranty: Best for High-End Items
- 2-10 Home Warranty: Cheapest Appliances Plan
How Do the Top Home Warranty Companies for Sewer Lines Compare?
When looking into home warranty companies for sewer line coverage, we focused on features most important to homeowners. The table below shows how our top picks compare based our scores, Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, monthly costs, and service call fees. To estimate pricing, we requested quotes from each company for a 1,964-square-foot single-family home in Baltimore, Maryland.
| Company | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
B | $36–$100 | $100–$125 | ||
B | $60–$68 | $100 | ||
A- | $77–$130 | $100–$125 | ||
A+ | $27–$61 | $65–$100 |
Our Reviews of the Best Sewer Line Home Warranty Companies
When going through each home warranty provider’s sewer line coverage, we looked at plumbing stoppage coverage limits, which outline the maximum amount home warranty providers will pay for repair services. If a company didn’t specify a limit for stoppages, we reviewed its home plumbing coverage instead. Learn more about our top home warranty providers for sewer line coverage below.
American Home Shield
Coverage Overview
- Covers some preexisting conditions and physical damage, which is typically excluded from other home warranty plans
- Has an unlimited coverage cap for most plumbing-related components and issues
- Offers a $1,000 pipe access repair cap, twice the typical amount
Keep in Mind
- Charges higher monthly rates than some home warranty companies
- Provides only six add-ons, the fewest amount from providers in this review
Why We Chose American Home Shield
American Home Shield stands out for its comprehensive sewer line coverage, including unlimited plumbing limits for most items and coverage for undetectable preexisting conditions. This can benefit homeowners with older sewer lines that wouldn’t otherwise qualify for coverage due to age.
The company also provides an unlimited coverage cap for accessing pipes through a floor, wall, or ceiling. The company backs sewer line repairs with a 30-day workmanship guarantee, meaning it will address defects or issues with completed repairs within that timeframe. A 30-day workmanship guarantee is the industry standard.
Where American Home Shield falls short is in cost and customization. While it offers more comprehensive sewer line protections than other providers, it generally charges more for its services. It also offers only six add-ons, none of which provide additional sewer line protection.
What American Home Shield Customers Say
After reading online reviews on third-party sites like the BBB, we found that many homeowners feel satisfied with American Home Shield for its quick response times and easy claims process. Our team’s plan testing supports this experience—when we submitted a claim through American Home Shield, we received a next-day appointment within 10 minutes. Reviewers also praise technicians for being approachable and clearly explaining their system issues.
Several negative reviews raise concerns about technician quality, with some customers reporting that dispatched contractors had low online ratings. Other reviewers mention difficulty canceling policies.
Choice Home Warranty
Coverage Overview
- Backs repairs with a 30-day guarantee on parts and labor
- Offers the most affordable comprehensive plan with sewer coverage in this review, making it one of the cheapest home warranty plans available
- Provides $3,000 for plumbing system and stoppage coverage
Keep in Mind
- Charges a standard $100 service call fee, limiting your pricing flexibility
- Doesn’t offer additional sewer-related add-ons
Why We Chose Choice Home Warranty
Choice Home Warranty offers one of the more budget-friendly comprehensive plans with sewer coverage in this review. Its plans, which cover both systems and appliances, cost less than $68 per month. That’s almost $35 lower than American Home Shield’s top-tier plan, ShieldPlatinum. Along with its $3,000 cap for plumbing issues, Choice includes a 30-day guarantee on parts and labor.
However, Choice falls short with its pricing flexibility. Other providers offer flexible service call fees, allowing you to tailor your monthly costs to your budget. With Choice, you’re limited to a standard $100 fee; however, the company may offer discounts to lower the overall pricing.
What Choice Home Warranty Customers Say
When reading through customer reviews, we learned that homeowners liked Choice’s affordable coverage and prompt technician dispatching. Negative reviews mentioned inconsistency with technician quality, with some homeowners needing multiple technicians to complete one job. Our team’s Choice tester also experienced mixed results with repairs, with some cases requiring three or four technicians.
First American Home Warranty
Coverage Overview
- Includes 125 feet of stoppage coverage, which is 25 feet longer than other providers we reviewed
- Offers up to $250 in coverage for ground-level cleanout installations with its premium plan—a rare benefit
- Provides unlimited coverage caps for most sewer line items
Keep in Mind
- Charges high monthly premiums
- Limits the most robust sewer line coverage to its highest and more expensive plan
Why We Chose First American Home Warranty
First American Home Warranty provides unlimited coverage for most sewer-related items and covers clog clearance up to 125 feet from a cleanout, compared with 100 feet from other providers. This extended coverage can benefit homeowners with longer sewer lines that connect to a municipal system.
We also like that First American’s highest coverage tier, the Premium Plan, includes up to $250 for ground-level cleanout installation. Most providers require a cleanout, or the access point a plumber uses to reach a blockage, to already be in place for service. The plan also includes First American Advantage, which covers damage caused by improper installations and modifications.
One drawback is that First American reserves its best plumbing coverage for its most expensive plan, limiting customization for homeowners who want enhanced sewer line protection. It’s also only available in 36 states, whereas the other providers on our list offer nationwide coverage.
What First American Home Warranty Customers Say
After reading customer reviews, we noticed frequent praise for First American’s quick and efficient claims process. During our team’s testing, our online claim was processed and a technician was assigned within 30 minutes of submission. Several online reviewers also described themselves as longtime customers, something we rarely see in home warranty reviews.
Some customers say that repair quality has declined over time, citing poor workmanship and low-quality components. Others mention that First American denied their claims without providing a clear explanation.
2-10 Home Warranty
Coverage Overview
- Offers an unlimited coverage cap for all plumbing system coverage
- Features the most service call fee flexibility in this review with three options
- Provides member benefits like smart home tech installation and dryer vent cleaning
Keep in Mind
- Excludes coverage for plumbing stoppages outside the covered home
- Has poor customer reviews on third-party review sites
Why We Chose 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty stands out for offering three service call fee options, which allow you to customize your monthly premium based on your budget. The provider also offers solid sewer line protection, covering mainline drain plumbing stoppages within 100 feet of an existing access point or cleanout. This coverage is comparable to what American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty offer.
However, 2-10’s biggest drawback is that it doesn’t cover plumbing stoppages for sewer lines outside your home’s foundation. For example, if you have a plumbing system serving a guest unit, 2-10 won’t cover related stoppages. We also found that 2-10 offers only five optional add-ons, the fewest among the providers we reviewed, which limits your options for customizing coverage.
What 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty Customers Say
When our team read through customer reviews for 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, we found that most homeowners report negative experiences. Common complaints include long repair and response times, difficulty reaching customer service, poor contractor experiences, denied claims, and lower-than-expected payouts for replacements. However, some reviewers share positive experiences with smaller repairs and helpful customer service representatives.
Which Parts of Your Sewer Line Does a Home Warranty Cover?
Home warranties typically cover sewer line blockages, repairs to covered pipes, and the cost of accessing those pipes through walls, floors, or ceilings. Coverage may also include certain water service line repairs within your home’s foundation, depending on the provider and plan. Below are some of the sewer line repairs and services home warranties commonly cover.
- Pipe access and restoration: Technicians typically repair or replace covered pipes behind unobstructed walls, floors, and ceilings. You may need to remove tile, shelving, or other obstructions at your own expense before service. After accessing the pipe, technicians typically restore the area to a rough finish, leaving you responsible for painting, drywall finishing, and other cosmetic repairs.
- Mainline and lateral drain line blockages: Many plans cover blockage removal up to a specified distance from an existing cleanout, which gives plumbers access to the main sewer line. For example, some providers cover blockages up to 100 feet from an accessible cleanout. Blockages beyond your plan’s distance limit typically aren’t covered.
- Water service line repairs: Depending on the plan, coverage may include leaks, breaks, and stoppages in water lines within the home’s foundation. Based on our research, home warranty companies rarely cover water service line leaks or breaks outside the home unless the plan specifically includes exterior line protection.
Sewer Line vs. Septic System Coverage
Sewer line and septic system coverage protect different parts of a home’s wastewater system. Sewer lines carry wastewater from your home to a municipal sewer system, while septic systems use an on-property tank and drain field to collect and treat wastewater. Septic warranty coverage often requires an add-on because standard sewer line coverage typically doesn’t include septic system components.
Comparing Key Sewer Line Coverage by Provider
The table below compares coverage for sewer line issues across the most comprehensive plans from our top five home warranty providers.
| Sewer Line Coverage | American Home Shield | Choice Home Warranty | First American Home Warranty | 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covered limits for plumbing access through walls, ceilings, or floors | Up to $1,000 | Up to $500 | Up to $500 | Up to $500 |
| Covered distance for stoppage clearouts from an access point | Up to 100 feet | Up to 100 feet | Up to 125 feet | Up to 100 feet |
| Cleanout installation | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | ✔ | 𝗫 |
| Excavation coverage | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | 𝗫 |
| Plumbing coverage limit upgrades | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | ✔ |
| Sewer line add-ons | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | ✔ |
| Preexisting conditions | ✔ | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | 𝗫 |
| Improper installations or repairs | ✔ | 𝗫 | ✔ | 𝗫 |
What Does Sewer Line Warranty Coverage Cost?
Sewer line warranty coverage typically costs $40–$90 per month, depending on your plan, add-ons, and location. Optional protections, such as extended coverage for line access repairs, can add $5–$15 per month to your home warranty cost. You’ll also typically pay a $65–$125 service call fee each time a technician visits your home for a covered repair.
These costs can add up, but sewer line coverage can reduce what you pay out of pocket for covered clogs, leaks, and damaged pipes. Compare the common sewer line repair costs below with the cost of coverage to decide whether a home warranty makes financial sense for your home.
| Sewer Line Issue | Average Cost* |
|---|---|
| Clog removal | $147–$345 |
| Leaking pipes | $250–$850 |
| Main line water leak repair | $150–$4,700 |
*Note: The above cost data is based on repair estimates from Angi.
Homeowner Insights
Our 2026 home warranty survey found that 28% of homeowners purchased sewer or water line protection for lines outside the home, making it the second-most common add-on after roof-leak coverage at 40%.
What Should You Look for in the Fine Print of a Sewer Line Warranty?
Before choosing a home warranty plan with sewer line coverage, check its exclusions, coverage boundaries, access requirements, and conditions that could lead to a denied claim. These details determine when your provider will pay for a repair and which costs you may have to cover yourself. Pay particular attention to the following restrictions:
- Cleanout access and installation: Some plans don’t cover the cost of locating, accessing, or installing ground-level cleanouts, potentially leaving you responsible for additional labor and excavation costs.
- Damage beyond the foundation or 100 feet: Many plans restrict coverage to pipes within the home’s foundation or a specified distance from an access point, such as 100 feet. You may have to pay for repairs beyond the plan’s stated limit.
- Natural disaster and weather damage: Home warranties generally cover normal wear and tear, not damage caused by floods, earthquakes, frozen pipes, or other weather-related events. Depending on the cause, some damage may instead fall under your homeowners insurance.
- Preexisting conditions or improper installation: Many policies exclude problems caused by preexisting conditions or faulty installation. In our 2026 home warranty survey, preexisting conditions accounted for 29% of claim denials. However, coverage varies by provider. American Home Shield, for example, covers certain preexisting conditions.
How Do You Choose the Right Sewer Line Coverage?
Choose sewer line coverage by considering your sewer line’s age, condition, length, and location, as well as potential issues such as aging pipes or tree roots. Then, compare plans based on their coverage limits, exclusions, and where coverage applies.
Read sample service contracts to find a provider that offers the protection you need. Some plans include sewer line coverage as part of a standard plan, while others require an add-on or offer optional coverage that extends existing protection. Review each provider’s exclusions and coverage limits so you understand what is and isn’t covered.
Sewer line problems can require immediate attention, so confirm that the provider has qualified technicians available in your area. Review the claims process, including how you submit a claim and whether you can choose your own plumber if a network technician isn’t available.
Look for a workmanship guarantee of at least 30 days, the industry standard, in case a completed sewer line repair needs additional work. Check whether you’ll have to pay another service fee for a repeat visit and whether the guarantee still applies if you use your own technician.
Request quotes from at least three providers and compare monthly premiums, service call fees, coverage caps, and add-on costs for sewer line protection. Factor in expenses the warranty may not cover, like excavation, cleanout installation, pipe access, and landscaping restoration.
Homeowner Insights
Our nationwide homeowner survey found that owners of older homes commonly prioritized plumbing coverage or purchased sewer or water line protection. Around 40% of respondents lived in homes more than 20 years old.
What Our Survey Shows About Sewer Line Coverage
In 2026, we surveyed 2,000 homeowners with home warranty plans to better understand their coverage priorities and experiences. For this guide, we focused on homeowners who purchased sewer or water line coverage and identified plumbing as the most important system when considering home warranty protection.
Homeowners Prioritize Coverage Over Price
Among homeowners in our survey who purchased sewer or water line protection and prioritized plumbing, 50% said coverage was the most important feature when choosing a home warranty, compared with 28% who prioritized price. Sewer line replacement can cost thousands of dollars, so it makes sense that homeowners care about how much coverage they receive for the system.
Sewer and Water Line Coverage Is a Popular Add-On
More than one quarter of all surveyed homeowners, or 28%, purchased sewer or water line coverage outside the home as an add-on to their base plan. This made exterior sewer and water line protection one of the more commonly purchased add-ons in our survey.
Many Claims Were Resolved Within a Week
Among homeowners who have filed sewer line claims, nearly 58% said their issue was resolved within one week or less. Additionally, 91% of those homeowners said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their claim outcome.
Most Homeowners Plan To Keep Their Warranty
Overall, 87% of homeowners said they feel satisfied or very satisfied with their current home warranty provider, and 91% planned to renew their coverage. While these results reflect overall warranty experiences rather than sewer line coverage alone, they suggest that homeowners generally see value in maintaining their plans.
How We Collected Our Survey Data
In 2026, we surveyed 2,000 home warranty policyholders across all 50 U.S. states to better understand how homeowners view and use their policies. Our survey aimed to understand why homeowners bought a home warranty, assess coverage satisfaction, and uncover claim and customer service experiences. Our survey also gathered insights on pricing, add-on selections, and policy renewal rates.
What Do Real Homeowners Think About Sewer Line Warranties?
Sewer line issues can strike at the most inconvenient times, often leading to unexpected repairs and costly bills. For homeowners, clogged pipes, backups, and slow drainage can become stressful, especially during a busy holiday season or when emergency services are in short supply.
Homeowner Advice
Margaret L., a homeowner in Charleston, South Carolina, for over 30 years, had never experienced a sewer line issue until one Thanksgiving holiday. “Whenever the shower was running, bubbles would appear in the toilet,” Margaret said. “Then, the shower started draining very slowly. That’s when I knew something was wrong.”
At first, she tried to plunge the toilet, thinking it was just a clog. But soon, black sludge appeared at the bottom of the shower, and the toilet wouldn’t flush properly. Realizing the issue wasn’t something she could easily fix, Margaret turned to emergency repair companies.
“I tried calling several emergency repair companies to find someone that would come out during the holiday,” Margaret said. “I finally found someone the next day, but I ended up paying an $800 bill for services.”
With a home warranty in place, Margaret wouldn’t have had to search for emergency services or face such high home repair costs, as these issues would likely have been covered under her plan. The home warranty company also could have found and dispatched a technician for her, eliminating the stress of calling around for repairs. A warranty could have provided peace of mind, especially during a busy holiday season.
Is Sewer Line Warranty Coverage Worth It?
Sewer line coverage is worth it if you have older plumbing, a higher risk of sewer line problems, or want to avoid paying the full cost of an unexpected repair. Before buying coverage, review the home warranty plan’s limits and exclusions to make sure it protects the portions of your sewer line you’re most concerned about. If you have newer plumbing or enough savings to comfortably cover repairs, the added cost of sewer line protection may not be worthwhile.
FAQs About Home Warranties for Sewer Lines
Does a home warranty cover clogged pipes?
Yes, home warranties often cover clogged pipes under plumbing or sewer line coverage. However, exclusions may apply, such as clogs caused by tree roots, foreign objects, or preexisting pipe conditions. Always review your contract to understand your coverage’s specific terms and limits.
Does homeowners insurance typically cover broken sewage pipes?
Homeowners insurance typically covers broken sewage pipes caused by specific perils such as fire, explosion, or vandalism. However, issues like wear and tear, poor maintenance, or tree root intrusion are generally excluded from coverage.
How often should you replace sewer lines?
Sewer lines typically last 50–100 years or longer, depending on the pipe material and condition. PVC pipes can last more than 100 years, while cast iron, clay, and cement pipes generally last 75–100 years. Orangeburg pipes have a shorter lifespan of around 50 years.
Does a home warranty cover sewer lines outside the home?
Some home warranties cover sewer lines outside the home, but this protection may require an add-on or extended coverage. Plans can also limit how far coverage extends from the home or an access point. Review a sample contract to confirm which exterior sewer lines a company covers and whether distance or access limits apply.
Our Rating Methodology for Sewer Line Warranties
We back up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed methodology designed to objectively evaluate each provider. Our research includes reviewing coverage options, analyzing sample contracts, and conducting direct provider research. We also collected nearly 4,000 quotes from 13 home warranty companies across all 50 states, using sample addresses for homes of different sizes to analyze pricing.
For our sewer line coverage recommendations, we conduct additional research into the coverage and features most relevant to the topic. We compare applicable coverage limits, exclusions, plan terms, add-on options, and other factors that can affect the protection homeowners receive. We also analyze relevant responses from our nationwide survey of 2,000 home warranty policyholders. This helps us understand the priorities and experiences of homeowners with these specific coverage needs.
We complement this research with hands-on testing. We test providers’ online quote tools and customer support, and over a two-year period, we purchased home warranty plans from 11 leading providers, allowing us to experience the enrollment and claims processes ourselves.
We use these findings to evaluate each provider across 23 factors in six weighted categories: coverage (35%), cost (20%), trustworthiness (15%), plan transparency (10%), customer support (10%), and flexibility (10%). Each factor receives a point value based on its importance to homeowners, for a total possible score of 100 points. We then convert each provider’s score to a 5-star rating.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
