Have peace of mind while enjoying your pool parties, your cannonballs, and your Marco-Polo games by evaluating whether your home insurance policy may provide coverage if your pool is damaged or causes damage to third parties.  Let’s dive in to explore how homeowners’ insurance policies may respond to events involving your swimming pool so that you are well-positioned to enjoy your summertime fun.

Could my homeowners’ insurance policy provide coverage for my swimming pool?

Depending on the event, homeowners’ insurance policies may provide coverage for your swimming pool under Coverage B (other structures), Coverage E (personal liability), or Coverage C (personal property coverage).  

However, some insurance companies do not provide coverage for pools under their homeowners’ insurance policies. When comparing quotes for homeowners’ insurance,

tell your insurance agent that you have a pool so that your insurance agent can evaluate whether your homeowners’ policy may provide coverage to suit your needs.

Other structures coverage

If your pool is damaged, the costs associated with repairing that damage may be covered under the “other structures” or “additional structures” coverage part of your home insurance policy. Additional structures coverage may provide coverage for pools, sheds, and detached garages. Most homeowners’ insurance policies contain coverage for other structures; however, the scope of the coverage and limits associated with the coverage may differ depending on the type and value of the structures on your property.

“Other structures” coverage may respond to the same events that your dwelling coverage (Coverage A) may respond to. If your dwelling coverage is open/all peril, consider confirming that your other structures coverage is also open/all peril. If your dwelling coverage is named peril, consider confirming that your other structures coverage is also provided on a named-peril basis.

The other structures coverage of a homeowners’ policy may cover damage to your pool in an amount that could be up to 10% of your dwelling coverage limit subject to the specific terms and conditions of your policy[1]. Work with your insurance agent to determine which limits would be appropriate for your unique needs. If you have a high-value pool, you may want to increase your “other structures” limit if 10% of your dwelling coverage limit may be insufficient. Your limit should be high enough to repair or replace your pool in the case of severe damage or a total loss.

Personal liability coverage

Personal liability coverage may respond in the event that someone is injured while using your pool. Let’s say, for example, you are hosting a pool party. If one of your guests breaks their ankle jumping into the pool, you may be responsible for that person’s medical bills (and any legal fees if they sue you).

Pools are often considered “attractive nuisances”[2] by insurers given the risks that they pose. Since attractive nuisances may be considered higher risk, they may warrant purchasing higher limits of liability coverage.

Learn more about liability insurance limits here. .

Personal property coverage

If your pool is not a permanent structure and can be moved around, damages to your pool may be covered under your personal property insurance coverage.

If you have a portable pool or may seek coverage for your pool accessories, like chaise lounge chairs, expensive floats, or special pool equipment, you will want to verify that these items may  be covered under your personal property coverage. Make sure you list these items on your insurance home inventory and keep receipts, which you may be required to submit if you make a claim under personal property coverage. Personal property coverage may be provided on a named perils basis, so damage to your property related to fire, storms, or falling objects may be provided depending on the terms and conditions of your specific policy.

If you have an above-ground pool that is movable, portable, or not considered an additional structure, damage to the pool may be covered under your personal property coverage depending on the terms of your policy.

What damages related to my pool may not be covered under my homeowners’ policy?

Even if your pool may be covered under your homeowners’ insurance policy, homeowners’ insurance policies usually do not provide coverage for damage arising out of or related to[3]:

  • Wear and tear

  • Lack of maintenance

  • Flood, which is commonly excluded under homeowners’ insurance policies

  • Earthquake, which is commonly excluded under homeowner’s insurance policies

  • Excluded perils if the homeowners’ insurance policy is an open peril/all perils policy

  • Perils that are not explicitly named if the homeowners’ insurance policy is a named peril policy

Coverage provisions may vary by state, so be sure to review your specific policy to determine the extent of your potential coverage.

Some insurance companies may not provide potential coverage for your pool if your pool has a diving board or slide. Other companies might have you sign an exclusion form, which may provide the potential for coverage under your policy if your pool is damaged or your pool causes damage to third parties but not if any damages relate to the diving board or slide.

While some insurance policies may provide coverage for your pool and any accessories, it’s important to be aware that any additions to your pool could impact the scope of your potential coverage under your homeowners’ policy. If you already have accessories on your pool, work with your Licensed Advisor to evaluate coverage options that address your unique needs.

Is it expensive to insure a pool?

Having a pool may raise your home insurance premiums due to the increased risk of damage and liability associated with pools. Check out these 18 ways to lower your homeowners' insurance premiums to see if any of these strategies, which may vary by state, may help to offset the increased cost of having a pool.

Investing a bit extra to insure your pool, if possible, can prove to be a wise decision as the costs associated with repairing damage to your pool caused by natural disasters or other events or responding to liability claims can be significant.  

Not sure if your home insurance may cover your pool, or if your current policy addresses your unique needs? Talk to our Licensed Insurance Advisors; we’re excited to help you evaluate options that might be available to you to insure your pool and safeguard your summer fun.