Does homeowners insurance cover your swimming pool?

A swimming pool is a popular addition to many American backyards. Swimming pools, on the other hand, can be considered an attractive nuisance, attracting children to your yard and increasing your liability risk as a homeowner. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 6,800 children under the age of 15 were treated in the emergency room in 2021 for pool-related injuries, with 45 percent of those injuries occurring in residential pools.

Accidents resulting in injuries or property damage are possible regardless of the type of pool you own. Whether you already have a pool or are thinking about getting one, you should make sure your home insurance covers these risks.

Will your homeowners insurance cover damage to your pool?

Your property insurance company will determine whether your homeowners insurance policy will cover your pool. Some insurers will refuse to issue a policy if the property has a pool. Other insurers may have specific requirements that must be met before your policy is activated, such as:

• Having a self-latching, gated fence around the perimeter of the pool
• Putting up lights around the pool to reduce the possibility of someone slipping and falling.
• Adding non-slip surface tap to your diving board
• Putting a lock on your ladder into an above-ground pool

Once you have homeowners insurance, your liability coverage will extend to your pool, and damage to the pool itself will be covered under a different coverage type on your policy.

If it is an above-ground pool, your insurance company will most likely consider it personal property if there are no permanent structures attached to it, such as decks. This is because you could take it with you if you wanted to. Personal property coverage, on the other hand, may have a policy limit as well as a category limit for your pool. Even if you have $125,000 in personal property coverage, you may not receive the full value of your pool if it is damaged or destroyed. Discuss with your insurer any coverage limitations your homeowners policy may have for an above-ground pool.

Which coverage applies and which perils are covered depends on the type of pool you have:

• Above-ground pools are covered under personal property or other structures coverage, if permanently installed.
• In-ground pools are typically covered under coverage for dwellings or other structures.

Will your homeowners insurance cover pool-related injuries?

Pool-related injuries may be covered by your homeowners insurance, depending on how the injury occurs, local laws regarding residential swimming pools, and the safety features you install. You may not be held liable if someone uses your pool without permission and is injured. However, if they are invited and are injured, you may be held liable for their injuries.

If someone was injured while using your pool, the personal liability coverage on your homeowners policy would usually cover the costs. Having safety features in place to reduce the risk of injuries can also assist in reducing your liability. Many property insurers will require you to install safety measures to reduce the risk of pool-related injuries, such as erecting a fence around your pool with a locking gate or removing the pool's ladder.

It is also critical to select the appropriate level of liability coverage to protect your financial well-being. Even if your liability coverage includes pool-related injuries, consult with an insurance agent to determine the appropriate coverage limit for you.

Do you need a personal umbrella policy?

A personal umbrella policy is not required, but if you have a swimming pool on your property, it is worth considering because it provides much more financial protection than a standard homeowners policy.

An umbrella policy extends your existing homeowners insurance policy's liability protection beyond the limits of your policy and generally applies once your homeowners liability limits have been exhausted.

An umbrella policy typically provides homeowners with $1 million or more in additional liability protection. If someone dies or is seriously injured while using your pool, an umbrella policy would cover their funeral or medical expenses, as well as any legal fees incurred as a result of the incident. These expenses could easily exceed the maximum liability limit coverage option on your standard homeowners policy. If you do not have an umbrella policy and your standard homeowners policy is exhausted, you will be responsible for any additional costs.

Safety steps to take when you have a pool

Though your swimming pool is most likely covered by personal property or other structures, you should take these extra precautions to reduce the risk of injury or damage to your pool. Taking the following precautions can help protect your own and others' safety:

1. Install a fence with a lockable gate around your pool. Pools are often appealing to the general public, and a sturdy fence is an excellent first line of defense to keep trespassers and children safe. To keep people away from your pool, make sure the gate is lockable. Many insurers will ask if your gate locks, and some will inquire about the height of your fence, requiring that it be at least six feet tall.
2. Install a gate alarm system. Any door leading to your pool should be equipped with an alarm that sounds whenever it is opened. The alarm should be loud enough to be heard from anywhere in your home and should ring long enough for you to notice it. You'll be notified if someone approaches your pool without your permission or knowledge.
3. Never swim by yourself. Swimming alone increases the likelihood of an accident occurring, and even minor accidents can become serious when no one else is present. Making it a rule that no one swims alone can help keep everyone safe and ensure a quick response in the event of an accident.
4. Get CPR instruction. CPR certification is an important skill to have for everyone's safety in and around the pool. CPR can save a life and is available at community centers, hospitals, and by contacting organizations such as the American Red Cross.
5. Keep the area around the pool as clear as possible. Obstacles near the pool can increase the risk of injury. Moving items such as toys and chairs away from the pool when not in use can help keep people of all ages safe.
6. Remove or raise ladders if possible. Consider removing or raising the ladder when your pool is not in use if it is above ground. This will help keep people out of the pool without your permission.