Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Pools
Updated February 3, 2019 . AmFam Team
Swimming pools are a great place for family fun in any backyard! But before you dive in to beat the heat, it’s important to make sure you’re properly protected. Before you buy a home with an in-ground pool or add an above-ground pool to your backyard, ask yourself the following questions to make sure you have the right swimming pool coverage in place.
Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover My Swimming Pool?
A swimming pool, whether above-ground or in-ground, is eligible for homeowners insurance coverage as a “scheduled structure” or under “other structures blanket coverage.” In other words, because it is a detached structure, like a shed, it’s not covered under your homeowners policy unless you specifically add coverage for the swimming pool.
What Does Pool Insurance Cover?
If you’re adding a pool to your home, you’ll need to let your insurance provider know, since they may not cover a claim if they aren’t aware of it. You’ll have liability coverage for injuries sustained because of the pool. Liability coverage helps cover bodily injury, medical expense and legal fees.
On the other hand, adding scheduled structure coverage to your homeowners policy provides extra peace of mind that you’ll have financial protection in place to repair or replace your pool if the unexpected were to occur. When you add other structure coverage to your homeowners policy, your pool will be covered for the same types of damage that your home insurance policy covers. This includes things like weather events or vandalism.
For example, if a windstorm caused a tree to fall on your pool or blew patio furniture into your pool and tore the liner, your homeowners policy can help cover the costs to repair or replace the damages.
How Much Does Pool Insurance Cost?
The cost to add swimming pool coverage to your home insurance policy is usually affordable. Your specific cost depends on a number of things, like your location, limits and insurance provider. Having insurance coverage for your pool is important to help protect you financially from the risks associated with it. Get an actual estimate on your pool coverage by connecting with your American family Insurance agent to see how much it would cost to add pool insurance to your homeowners policy.
Should I Get Umbrella Liability Coverage for My Pool?
In short, adding umbrella liability coverage for your pool is a really good idea. For homeowners with swimming pools, it’s highly recommended to get umbrella coverage, mainly because pools can pose bigger-than-usual risks compared to other places around the home. Adding umbrella liability insurance provides liability coverage in addition to your homeowners policy limits for injuries that occur in or near your pool. Your agent can help you determine if adding umbrella insurance for your pool is a good move for you.
Reduce the risk of accidents at your pool by following these simple pool safety practices.
Does My Homeowners Insurance Require a Fence Around the Pool?
American Family requires your pool to be enclosed by a gate in order for it to be eligible for insurance coverage. Your agent can further explain exact requirements regarding fences for in-ground and above-ground pools. Keep in mind, most local laws generally require fences around pools, so you’ll need a fence regardless of insurance purposes.
Will My Insurance Policy Cover My Pool if It Has a Slide or Diving Board?
As long as they are in good working order, pools with slides and diving boards are eligible for coverage. But keep in mind that the diving board must have a non-skid surface and must meet the manufacturer requirements for depth, height from water and upslope.
What If Someone Is Injured While Using the Pool Without Permission?
If someone goes “pool hopping” and gets hurt using your pool without your permission, you’re likely not going to be responsible for that person’s medical bills. But, this could depend on whether you’ve followed local laws and have safety measures in place. If your self-latching gate wasn’t working properly and a neighborhood kid wandered in and was injured, you could be held liable because you were negligent in the first place. However, you may not be held liable if a kid climbed a fence to access the pool and injured themselves.
Situations where you’re legally responsible for injuries to other people can be costly. Having liability insurance for your pool is a must if you don’t want to pay for related costs, like medical expenses or legal fees. If you install a pool, whether above ground or in-ground, let your insurance agent know!
Will My Pool Be Covered If I Don’t Properly Maintain It?
Any damage to the pool as a result of neglect on your part, such as failure to properly service and maintain the pool, will not be covered by your homeowners policy. This is important to keep in mind if you have a pool at a vacation home or property that you’re not using every day.
Find the Right Insurance Coverage for Your Pool
Being proactive with your insurance protection is always a good idea. Check in with your American Family Insurance agent (Opens in a new tab) about finding the right swimming pool coverage for you, and swim safe knowing you’re protecting what matters most.
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Your home is more than a roof over your head. It’s where your dreams grow, your family thrives and memories are made. But the possessions you keep inside are important, too.
Whether you’re renting an apartment or own your home, you’ve most likely got an insurance policy designed to protect your dwelling and the things inside. Should the unthinkable happen and you have to use that insurance policy, it’s important to have a plan in place. And a home inventory list is a great way to get started!
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Why Do I Need a Home Inventory?
Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, everyone can benefit from a home inventory!
If you ever have to make a claim, a home inventory is a great asset to have, especially after stressful events like theft, storm damage or a fire (take a look at how one renter used their home inventory after facing an apartment fire).
When you make a claim, you typically submit information on everything that was lost — which can be difficult to do off the top of your head for all your possessions. Remembering to replace your TV or computer are no-brainers, but when it comes to remembering each piece of jewelry in your jewelry box, things tend to get overlooked. Having a personal property inventory will help, along with knowing how to properly insure your jewelry.
When you have your home inventory checklist, you know exactly what needs to be replaced, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing your entire household is protected.
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