Does homeowners insurance cover my pool?

You may be asking yourself, like many other homeowners with a pool, “Does homeowners insurance policy cover my pool?”

Having a pool is a dream for many homeowners. After all, a pool can turn the backyard into a sanctuary during the scorching summer months.

However, there are some things you must consider regarding your pool when it comes to homeowners insurance. Specifically, how does a homeowners insurance policy respond to potential bodily injury claims, and how much coverage, if any, is afforded to fix your pool in the event it’s damaged?

Wherever you live, lawsuits are at the center of countless lawsuits. From accidents at college parties to small children that accidentally fall into pools, pools are at the center of many serious accidents and deaths. Pool owners become directly responsible for medical bills, funeral costs, and other costs the families of victims may want to pursue. This ultimately leads to homeowners claims for an attractive nuisance. Homeowners insurance policies react by refusing coverage for pools altogether or charging significantly more to cover homes with pools.

If you find yourself in need of new homeowners insurance, try entering your ZIP code into our free online quote tool. Otherwise, continue reading to learn more about homeowners insurance and pool coverage.

What should you know about liability coverage for your pool?

As a homeowner, it’s important to recognize the increased liability associated with having such an oasis on your property. No matter the type of pool, an unattended child, intoxicated adult, and others can suffer serious accidents.

Fortunately, a homeowners insurance policy will cover the additional liability resulting from the ownership of a pool as long as it’s included in your policy.

Typically, when you fill out a homeowners insurance application with an agent or insurer, such information will be requested, and your policy will be adjusted accordingly. If you don’t disclose this detail, it could be considered insurance fraud. More importantly, your liability coverage would not cover any accidents or related lawsuits, and your homeowners insurance premium could still spike after any incident. A single incident could run in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on what you are charged personally for your rates.

Read More:

• Homeowners Insurance Liability Coverage
• Types of Homeowners Insurance: How Your Coverage Works
• Who is covered under homeowners insurance?

When would swimming pools be excluded from liability coverage?

Liability coverage for a pool may be excluded by your homeowners insurance policy if you do not have certain “controls” in place to make your pool safe.

Specifically, many insurers will require you to have your pool (or yard) fenced. This is meant to prevent small children or others from accidentally falling into a pool when no one else is looking.

Many insurers even require a fence be at least a certain height, maybe 4 or 5 feet, and not constructed of chain links.

Additionally, some insurers may deny coverage if your pool has a diving board or a slide. They aren’t trying to get in the way of your family’s fun. These types of swimming pool equipment raise the likelihood of accidents leading to claims on your homeowners insurance.

Be sure to get this clarified as soon as possible. You certainly don’t want to be in a position where you have a liability claim and zero coverage.

Does homeowners insurance cover pool damage?

Whether or not physical damage to your pool is covered will depend on your insurer.

Some insurers will cover damage to your pool under “Coverage B – other structures,” while other insurers may not cover physical damage to your pool at all. You can get a special rider for your pool or look at other policy options if your current policy doesn’t cover the structure of the pool.

Some insurers look at an in-ground pool, made of cement, similar to how they look at foundation damage to your home…it’s your responsibility to ensure cracks in the cement are repaired when observed.

When it comes to pool maintenance equipment, such as filters and pumps, coverage is normally afforded by a homeowners insurance policy under “Coverage B – other structures.” If it’s a matter of normal wear and tears, this type of swimming pool equipment may not be covered. If you don’t replace it regularly and something goes wrong, it could be seen as a sign of neglect leading to future claim denials.

Read More: Do I have to tell my homeowners insurance company I have a dog?

What should you do if building a new pool?

Many homeowners neglect to mention the addition of a pool while their current policy is active. They think they’ll just add it on renewal or when an insurer asks.

This isn’t how homeowners insurance works. It is necessary to contact your insurance agent or insurer prior to having a pool built to ensure your new pool is adequately covered by your existing policy.

Based on what we discussed above, you might have to find a new insurer. Even if you only recently built a pool, non-disclosure could lead to the cancellation or nonrenewal of your policy.

Every insurance company has different underwriting guidelines, and your home may not qualify after the pool is installed.

Your insurance premium may be adjusted (higher) to compensate for the additional liability, or if you’re lucky, nothing may change at all.

Some questions you may be asked when shopping for insurance for your house with a pool:

• Is the pool above or below ground?
• Is your yard fenced in? This might be a requirement by ordinance in your town.
• Is your pool fenced in? Some companies may require the yard and pool to be fenced in.
• Do you have a pool cover? There are hard plastic covers available for some pools now.
• Is your pool drained in the winter months?
• Do you have a diving board? Some companies allow for pools, but will not cover a diving board.
• Do you want to raise your liability limits? Does the risk of bodily injury and drowning death both increase with a pool?

To find affordable homeowners insurance from providers near you, just enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool to get started today. (For more information, read our “The Five Most Common Homeowners Insurance Claims“).