The Pollution Liability Insurance Agency added home heating-oil tanks to its purview in 1995 as part of an effort to help ensure that cleanups of accidental oil releases happen and to mitigate the costs of homeowners.

The agency's director, Roger Dovel, said more than 58,000 homes in the state are covered by the insurance, which is paid through a 0.6-cent fee on each gallon of home heating oil sold. "To be covered, all you have to do is send in a simple form," Dovel said. The insurance covers up to $60,000 of remediation costs, as well as up to $1,500 to restore landscaping.

Dovel recommends that homeowners think about their tanks like other parts of their homes. "After 20 years, most homeowners think about replacing their roof. It's not leaking, but it shows wear," he said. "Even though it's out of sight, even though their oil tank may not be leaking, by spending roughly $1,000, you could prevent a lot of future problems."

Dovel said homeowners should consider new tanks that cost slightly more but encase steel in fiberglass, ensuring that even when the metal part of the tank degrades, no oil can leak out.