HomeServe, a private utility protection company, presented an optional program to the South El Monte City Council on Oct. 7, 2025, proposing monthly plans to cover water and sewer lateral repairs and in‑home plumbing breakdowns for homeowners.

The proposal, delivered by Bill Coffey, regional director for HomeServe, emphasized the program’s purpose: “Our program is in place to help address the public policy issue of aging infrastructure,” Coffey said. He told the council the company has offered similar programs in other California jurisdictions and that the product would be voluntary and paid by participating residents, not the city.

City staff and council members pressed for details. Coffey said sewer lateral protection would be offered at about $9.49 per month, would cover repairs from the sewer main to the home’s exterior wall, and would be cancellable at any time. He said repairs are handled by local contractors, guaranteed for one year, and that HomeServe handles billing, enrollment and contractor coordination. Coffey said marketing would be direct mail only (three mailings per year), would include the city logo and clear language that the program is optional and offered by a private company, and that HomeServe provides indemnification for the city.

Council members questioned overlap with water districts and customer territories. Coffey said where a water district already offers the program to its customers, HomeServe limits outreach to the district’s customers in that area; where the city participates, the company can mail to the whole city or use city mailing lists. He also confirmed there is no cost to the city to participate and that the company’s standard agreement is three years; the council’s attorney would review the contract language and letters before any mail campaign.

In answering technical and policy questions, Coffey provided additional company data used in the presentation — including the company’s U.S. experience, a claim of about $2 billion in saved customer repair costs nationally, and average service lifespans for laterals — and described an optional separate “leak insurance” product for unusually large water bills.

The council took no formal action Oct. 7 on HomeServe’s proposal. Staff indicated a review of the five‑page agreement and sample outreach materials would follow if the council shows interest. The company representative said the earliest mailings would likely begin in January if the city signs an agreement and coordinates timing.

The presentation materials and the company’s local contractor and customer service commitments were highlighted as key items staff will review before any decision to authorize the program or place the company’s materials in city mailings.