Next spring, a new Epcor partner plans to offer insurance that covers electricity and water service repairs on private property.
The city-owned utility announced Tuesday it has signed a multi-year contract with HomeServe USA Corp., an emergency home repair provider. The partnership, which begins in April, will allow Home-Serve to market its services to Epcor customers.
Epcor currently handles repairs on the electricity and water services it provides up to the property line of a customer’s residence. HomeServe insures emergency repairs for utility breakages on private property.
“We felt it was a reasonable additional option for people to protect their homes,” said Epcor spokesman Tim le Riche.
“It’s entirely optional. And we suggest that people do their homework. It’s entirely up to them to make their own decision.”
Founded in 1993 in the United Kingdom, HomeServe expanded into the U.S. in 2003. The American branch’s partnership with Epcor marks its debut in Canada.
Senior vice-president Myles Meehan says HomeServe coverage will cost somewhere between $7 and $12 a month in Alberta.
“We look for utility partners who are progressive and value improving their customer relationships and offering additional products,” said Meehan. “Epcor meets all those criteria.”
HomeServe’s American activities have drawn some criticism, with multiple Better Business Bureau chapters sending out warnings to consumers over misleading advertising. Myles said the complaints arise from consumer misunderstanding of the nature of HomeServe’s business.
lkelly@edmontonjournal.com
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