Summer is here, and for many that means time by the pool. If you have a swimming pool, your home is probably the gathering place for friends and family. However, that popularity can bring issues if someone is injured or your pool is damaged.
Homeowners insurance protects you if someone is injured on your property, including your swimming pool. If your pool is damaged, the amount of coverage you'll get depends on whether the damage was caused by a named insurance peril, which is an event that's specifically listed in your policy. The coverage will also vary depending on whether your pool is in-ground or above-ground.
Does homeowners insurance cover swimming pool injuries?
Homeowners insurance offers homeowners liability protection if someone is injured at your property. However, there are limits to standard personal liability coverage depending on your policy and insurance carrier. According to Allstate, basic liability homeowners policies are $100,000.
"A pool is considered an 'attractive nuisance' and will increase your liability risk," according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). The Institute recommends increasing your liability coverage to "at least $300,000-$500,000" if you have a swimming pool. You can also consider an umbrella policy, which increases your overall liability coverage.
If your home came with a swimming pool, you likely paid an additional premium to increase your liability coverage.
If you're considering installing a swimming pool at your home, you should contact your homeowners insurance to make sure you have proper coverage. It may mean an increase in your annual premium.
Additionally, you should check with local ordinances to see if there are any laws for swimming pool owners that require barrier fencing or an alarm system. Failure to comply with local laws may increase your liability in the event of a lawsuit.
Does homeowners insurance cover swimming pool repairs?
Homeowners insurance covers your property from damage, which is often referred to as insurance perils. A peril is an event that may damage your home or belongings, like theft, fire, or a storm. The type of peril coverage you have depends on the type of homeowners insurance you purchased. Common insurance perils include fire, lightning, theft, ice, snow, sleet, smoke, vandalism, and freezing.
Floods, earthquakes, government seizures, mudslides, ordinance updates, sewer backups, and sinkholes are all perils that won't be covered by homeowners insurance, according to Hippo Insurance. Those will require add-on coverage using a rider policy.
If a tree falls on your swimming pool, it will likely be covered, according to Allstate. However, Allstate warns that "homeowners policies exclude coverage for damage caused if water freezes in your pool, so you'll want to be sure you drain it at the end of each season."
| Coverage | Included with homeowners insurance? |
| Dwelling/Structure | Yes |
| Personal liability | Yes |
| Personal belongings | Yes |
| Loss of Use (additional living expenses) | Yes |
| High-end electronics/special jewelry | Limited, requires add-on* |
| Equipment breakdown | Yes |
| Electrical outage | Yes* |
| Service lines | Yes* |
| Cyber liability | Yes* |
| Water damage | Yes |
| Flood | No** |
| Wind or hail | Yes, but not high winds*** |
| Earthquake | No* |
*Available as add-on coverage if not part of policy
**Flood insurance is available through the NFIP and approved insurers
***If you live in hurricane or tornado areas, additional windstorm rider may be required
Damage coverage depends on the type of pool
There are three components to homeowners insurance: dwelling coverage, personal property coverage, and liability coverage.
If something happens to your home, you can have it repaired or rebuilt under dwelling coverage. Your dwelling consists of your home and any other structures on the property, like a garage or shed. Personal property coverage includes your furnishings and electronics. Liability coverage protects you if someone is injured on your property and sues for damages — if the neighbor's kid injures himself doing a cannonball in your swimming pool, homeowners insurance can protect you.
Most homeowners insurance carriers consider in-ground swimming pools as "other structures" under dwelling coverage. However, portable above-ground swimming pools are considered "personal property."
This may vary depending on your homeowners insurance carrier. Therefore, it is best to talk to your agent to determine how your in-ground or above-ground swimming pool is classified under your policy. It will impact the amount of coverage available to repair damage to your pool.
Damage from wear and tear or lack of maintenance is usually not covered.
Tips for swimming pool safety
- Inform your homeowners insurance that you have a swimming pool and consider increasing your liability limits.
- Install safety barriers or fencing around your swimming pool and consider an alarm system.
- Post "pool safety rules" and enforce them.
- Learn CPR and basic water rescue techniques.
- Post emergency numbers by the summer pool, including instructions on how to shut off filters in an emergency.
- Never leave children unattended and ask guests if they know how to swim.
- Keep glass away from the pool area.
- Perform regular maintenance.
- Drain and cover your pool in the off season.
Ronda Lee is an associate editor for insurance at Personal Finance Insider covering life, auto, homeowners, and renters insurance for consumers. She is also a licensed attorney who practiced litigation and insurance defense.