Left, Village of Plover President Dan Schlutter with Karen Swanson, village clerk, at a recent village meeting. (City-Times photo)

By Brandi Makuski

Officials from the Village of Plover are warning area residents of potential suspicious mail advertisements inviting recipients to purchase insurance coverage for water laterals.

According to Village of Plover Administrator Dan Mahoney some area residents have already begun to receive mailed advertisements offering coverage for damaged or frozen water laterals. The advertisements come from HomeServe USA Repair Management Corporation, which Mahoney said the village is not affiliated with and does not endorse.

“We heard several people got these mailed to their homes last year, and we’re hearing that some people are already getting them again this year,” Mahoney said at Wednesday’s village board meeting. “We would advise residents to do their homework.”

Village President Dan Schlutter also urged residents to do research on the company’s claims before paying for anything.

“You can also call the Better Business Bureau to check this company out, and any others you get in the mail like this,” Schlutter said.

Mahoney said property owners are responsible for lateral repair costs between their home and right-of-way within the village.

“However, property owners should contact their insurance companies to see if they are already covered for a lateral damage incident, or if they feel such coverage is warranted,” Mahoney said.

According to the Better Business Bureau, HomeServe USA Repair Management Corporation has received over 100 complaints in the past three years for false or misleading claims used in print advertising sent through the mail. The company has since agreed to revise its claims.