Politics & Government

'Crafty' Companies Target Darien Residents With Insurance Pitches

A Darien official warned residents to be careful what they sign up for.

A Darien official said residents should be cautious with insurance companies that claim to cover problems with water and sewer lines.
A Darien official said residents should be cautious with insurance companies that claim to cover problems with water and sewer lines. (David Giuliani/Patch)

DARIEN, IL – A top Darien official warned residents Monday to beware of "crafty" companies that sell insurance for water, sewer and gas lines.

Some of them make it appear as if they are aligned with Nicor or other utilities, but they are not, said Dan Gombac, the city's public works director.

In the latest instance, Gombac said a resident told him that she paid her insurance premium for her sewer line, but was told it didn't cover her particular backup.

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She was told to pay $3,000 to the company to review the situation and possibly cover the resident's claim.

"Residents, please be careful what you sign up for," Gombac said at a City Council meeting. "Call your homeowner's insurance. A lot of that is covered by home insurance – the sanitary, the water. Or you may need to get a rider (on your insurance)."

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