Does homeowners insurance cover swimming pools?

How swimming pools may be covered under homeowners insurance

Homeowners insurance may cover your swimming pool against damage resulting from covered perils. It can also protect you if you're liable for injuries or damages that occurred while using your pool or around the pool area.

Damage to your swimming pool

If fire, vandalism, windstorms, or any covered peril listed on your homeowners policy damages the pool liner or other components of the pool, your insurer may pay for repairs, up to your policy's coverage limits and minus your deductible. The actual coverage under your homeowners policy that protects your pool may vary by insurer and the type of pool you own:

• Personal property coverage: A portable above-ground pool is typically considered personal property by insurance companies. Personal property coverage may also cover pool equipment and accessories, such as pool covers, vacuums, furniture, heaters, and inflatable toys. Your personal property coverage limit is generally set at some percentage, such as 50% of your dwelling coverage. For example, if your home is insured for $300,000, you have up to $150,000 in coverage to protect against damage to your personal property, including your above-ground pool.
• Other structures coverage: A permanently installed above-ground pool may be considered an "other structure." In some cases, an in-ground pool may also fall under other structures coverage, which is generally 10% of your dwelling coverage. If you're carrying $300,000 in dwelling coverage, for example, your pool may be covered up to $30,000.
• Dwelling coverage: Depending on your policy and insurer, an in-ground pool may be covered under your policy's dwelling coverage rather than other structures coverage.

Injuries/damages to guests

Personal liability coverage on your homeowners policy may help cover medical and legal bills if a non-household member sustains an injury in or around your pool or their property is damaged. Most standard homeowners policies give you the option of $100,000, $300,000, or $500,00 in liability coverage. Should you need more than the liability limits available in order to protect your assets, umbrella insurance can provide additional coverage.

Medical payments to others coverage may also cover guests injured while using your pool and pay for their hospital bills, up to your coverage limit.

If you or a member of your household are injured while using your pool, your homeowners policy generally won't provide coverage. A health insurance plan may apply in that situation.

What does insurance not cover when it comes to swimming pools?

Your homeowners insurance policy won't cover the following:

• Wear and tear: If your pool liner needs to be replaced because it's old, for example, your insurance won't cover this cost.
• Lack of maintenance: For example, failing to regularly vacuum or clear away leaves and other debris in your pool may clog the filter and cause damage to your pump, which likely won't be covered.
• Failure to properly winterize your pool: If you're in an area prone to freezing temperatures and you fail to lower the water level and drain all other equipment of water, cracks and leaks may occur, which aren't typically covered.
• Flooding: Flood damage is excluded from a standard homeowners policy.
• Collapsing: Your pool likely won't be covered for collapsing, since that's often due to neglect or poor maintenance.

How to potentially mitigate pool liability risks

A swimming pool is often considered an "attractive nuisance," but adding the following may reduce pool injuries:

• Fence: Building a fence around your pool can help prevent unwanted access to your pool. To qualify for a policy, some insurance companies may require that your fence is a specific height or made from a certain type of material.
• Lighting: Installing lights in and around the pool area may help to prevent slips and falls.
• Automatic pool cover: A retractable pool cover may reduce the risk of someone accidentally falling into your pool.
• Pool alarm: Installing an alarm near the gate to your pool can help notify adults when children enter the pool area without supervision.
• Safety checklist: Keep a list of safety rules and a first aid kit in the vicinity of the pool.

Protect your property and assets through Progressive