Swimming Pool Insurance Requirements: Are You Covered?

“Swimming pool insurance” is generally not a product sold to homeowners because a standard home policy typically covers pool-related claims involving injuries and covered damages, like those caused by fire, windstorms and vandalism. However, insurers may require you to meet certain safety conditions, like installing a fence with a lock around your pool, to qualify for swimming pool coverage.

Pools are great crowd-pleasers but can carry several risks that will likely increase your home insurance premium. Learn more about swimming pool coverage and how much it will cost.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Swimming Pools?

Insurance companies will typically cover your swimming pool but only if you satisfy certain safety conditions, such as:

• Putting up a self-latching safety fence around the pool perimeter
• Installing non-skid surface material to reduce falling or slipping
• Installing lights around the pool
• Removing diving boards or applying non-skid safety tape to them

If you’re buying a new home with a pool or considering installing a pool, talk about coverage with your insurance company first. You’ll want to meet all of their safety insurance requirements to ensure your claim is approved when accidents happen.

If your insurance company agrees to insure your pool, it is typically covered under the liability and dwelling or other structures portion of your policy.

Liability protection covers you if you are sued because somebody drowned or was injured while using your pool. For example, your home insurance policy would cover your legal expenses if you’re held liable for a guest’s death because the ladder to exit the pool was broken.

Dwelling and other structures coverage applies if the physical structure of the pool is damaged by a covered peril, like fire or lightning (more on this later). You’re also covered if somebody trespasses onto your property and vandalizes the pool.

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Will Home Insurance Cover Pool Damage?

Homeowners insurance may help repair pool damage if it’s damaged by a covered peril. Among the 16 common perils covered in a standard home insurance policy, your pool is likely vulnerable to the following 12 perils.

Fire or lightning Windstorm or hail Explosion Riot or civil commotion Damage by aircraft Damage by vehicles

Smoke Vandalism or malicious mischief Theft Volcanic eruption Falling objects

Standard home insurance carries coverage exclusions and you will not be reimbursed for the following types of damages:

• Floods
• Earthquakes
• Neglect
• Regular wear and tear
• Pool liner damaged by frozen water
• Pool cover collapse from the weight of ice, snow or rain

Pool cover collapse happens when the weight of rain, snow or ice becomes too heavy for the pool cover, causing the pool walls to break and collapse. The weight of snow or ice is typically covered in a standard policy but insurers may specifically exclude coverage for this type of pool damage.

To get protection for the above exclusions, you will need to buy an add-on endorsement to your existing policy or buy a standalone policy.

What About Pool Leaks?

Your pool may be covered if it meets certain requirements stipulated in your policy. If a fire caused your pool to leak, your insurer would help pay for repairs.

If the pool damage was not caused by a covered event, you would have to pay for repairs out of pocket.

Insurers also won’t repair a leak if it could have been prevented through regular maintenance.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Pool Injuries?

Your policy may cover  swimming pool injuries, depending on how the injury happens and if you meet the insurer’s safety requirements (see earlier section for examples). The personal liability coverage on your policy covers losses if anyone dies or sustains an injury while using your pool, such as slipping on wet concrete or falling into the pool.

You may be liable for injuries a child sustains, even if they were trespassing. Your state may enforce safety requirements because pools are considered an attractive nuisance — a feature of your home, like a trampoline or pool, that invites children to play. Unfortunately, you may be held liable for child injuries even if they trespassed to use your pool. Installing safety features, like a locked gate, can help deter trespassing.

Is It Expensive To Insure a Swimming Pool?

Homes with pools are generally more expensive to insure than homes without one because of the increased liability exposure. The average cost of homeowners insurance is around $1,213.89 and homes with pools may be subject to even higher premiums due to the risks a pool adds to your home. Actual premiums will vary based on the type of pool, your coverage limits and more.

If you want extra protection, we recommend supplementing your home policy’s liability limits with an umbrella policy.

For an additional $200 to $300 per year, an umbrella policy can increase your limits by $1 million.

Are Above-Ground or Indoor Pools Covered?

If your carrier agrees to insure your pool, an above-ground pool and indoor pool are covered under different sections of your home insurance policy.

Above-ground pools are covered under personal property or other structures coverage if they are permanent fixtures. Since it’s not attached to the house, it may be easier for insurers to exclude your above-ground pool from coverage. Hot tubs often fall under other structures coverage and are generally covered by homeowners insurance.

Indoor pools and in-ground pools may be covered either under the dwelling or other structures portion of your homeowners insurance policy.

Check with your insurer to ensure that your policy covers your pool type.

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Key Takeaways Having a swimming pool will likely increase your homeowners insurance premiums because it carries high liability exposure for injuries and drowning. Some insurers may deny coverage for pools, while other insurers will extend coverage if you meet safety conditions, like installing a lockable gate around your pool. The liability portion of a standard home insurance policy will cover injuries and drownings that occur inside or around your pool. The physical structure of your pool is insured against fires, vandalism, windstorms and more.

Find the right insurance coverage for your swimming pool. Pool accidents can happen at any time, no matter how many safety precautions you take. The most important precaution for you and your family is to have the right protection and coverage limits. If your homeowners policy does offer coverage for pool owners, or if you’re interested in shopping around for lower rates, let SmartFinancial help. Simply put your zip code below or call 855.214.2291 to get free home insurance quotes in your area.