Homeowners insurance protects you against certain types of damage caused by a swimming pool or hot tub – for example, if your home is flooded by water discharge from the pool. However, damage caused by your pool or hot tub is not automatically covered. For this, you may need to purchase additional coverage. Check with your broker.
What‘s an attractive nuisance?
In the insurance world – and in the courts – an attractive nuisance is something that‘s attractive enough to children that they might enter someone else‘s property. Pools fall into this category. Children may not fully comprehend the danger of a pool. After all, a pool is beautiful, an oasis glistening in the sunshine. Take measures to secure your property and make some time to review your liability coverage.
If you‘re thinking about putting in a pool this season or if you already have one, this is the perfect time to review your coverage with your broker. You might choose to raise your liability coverage limit or you might consider an umbrella policy, which is a great way to protect your family by providing more protection on both your home and auto insurance policies.
Backyard pools can provide many hours of summer fun, but they can also be dangerous. Owning a backyard pool or hot tub comes with the responsibility of ensuring its safe use. Most often, children who drown do so in a pool when a caregiver is not paying attention, if only for a second. These drownings primarily involve young children who gain access to a pool without a self-closing and self-latching gate. Before you start pricing out pools and working with landscapers, there are some important things to consider.
Location: If you‘re thinking about an in-ground pool, you already know you can‘t just pick a sunny spot and start digging. Check your local ordinances to see if there are any rules on the setback, which is the distance required between your home or the property line. If you‘re considering an above-ground pool, a bit of distance from your home will help safeguard against accidental flooding – but you‘ll want the pool close enough that you can respond quickly in an emergency.
Fencing: Many towns require fencing of a certain height to deter curious neighborhood kids. There may also be a requirement to install self-locking gates that swing shut automatically and lock behind anyone who enters or leaves the yard. One popular choice is coated chain-link fence with small links that make climbing difficult, but which don‘t disturb your view. The effect at a distance is like looking through a screened window.
Adult Supervision: Always be sure kids are supervised. Many parents can tell you a story of when they pulled a toddler out of a pool who just wandered in because they were curious. If you need to leave the pool area for a few minutes, don‘t be shy about asking young children to get out of the pool for a bit.
You should let your insurance broker know the installation date of a new pool or hot tub. They can advise you on the best coverage to suit your needs. Then, keep swimming safely!
