HomeServe, a leading home emer­gency repair service company, is get­ting the word out about its services.

HomeServe is an independent com­pany with its core business being ser­vice contracts for the emergency repair or replacements of water lines whether from a utility provider or private well.

"Local water companies typically are not responsible for breaks in the water service lines running from the utility's connection to the homeowner's home and the costs associated with the repairs are not typically covered by basic homeowners insurance," com­pany spokesman Myles Meehan.

HomeServe works with more than 30 utilities and municipalities through­out North America to provide water, sewer, electrical, and HVAC services for repairs not covered by the local utility or basic homeowners insurance. They also provide service plans directly to homeowners, such as the water line protection offer recently mailed to resi­dents here in Monroe County.

According to HomeServe, there will be an estimated one million water ser­vice line breaks to single-family homes in 2013.  Based on their national fig­ures, this type of emergency can cost a homeowner $1,500 to $3,000 to repair.

"Our goal is simply to educate hom­eowners about their responsibilities, provide them with a convenient service option, and offer them an affordable way to manage the repair expense," said Meehan.  

HomeServe customers have a 24 hour emergency hotline for ser­vice with local, licensed and insured plumbing contractors available for repairs. Meehan noted, "Our customers can feel confident that the job will be done quickly by a service provider right from their community."

Monroe County residents who con­tact HomeServe will likely have their calls answered from one of the more than 200 HomeServe employees locat­ed in a Chattanooga operations center. HomeServe a year ago announced it would expand its Chattanooga loca­tion, providing 120 additional jobs to the city, which was well received by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty. In an April 2012 article Haslam stated his appreciation for HomeServe's continued commit­ment to and investment in Tennessee. Hagerty added. "Our department is continually working to create a busi­ness friendly environment that encour­ages companies to grow and invest in our state."

HomeServe, which has been in operation since 2003, is an American subsidiary of the British-owned com­pany, HomeServe PLC.

The company currently serves more than 1.9 million contracts in 46 states and worldwide has 5.1 million custom­ers and more than 11 million home emergency repair plans.