In-ground swimming pools are a common feature of many homes, and they can be an expensive investment. If you have an in-ground pool on your property, it is important to understand how it impacts your home insurance coverage. Whether or not your pool is covered will depend on many factors, including the type of policy you have, the limits and deductibles you have selected, and the type of pool equipment you have installed. To get the most comprehensive coverage for your in-ground pool, working with a knowledgeable insurance agent who can help you understand all your options is crucial.
Does my home insurance cover my in-ground pool?
We receive this common question from customers, and the answer may surprise you. Inground pools are considered “other structures” by most insurance companies. This means that they are typically covered by your home insurance policy but with a separate limit.
You want to make sure the “other structures” limit is high enough to cover the pool and any other structures on your property. Customers may think, “what could damage my pool?” Well, a tornado could lift and crack a pool. Also, if there is a fire at the primary residence, it could be significantly damaged by heat or smoke, debris from the fire falling into the pool, or equipment brought in to fight the fire, some of which may be placed in the pool to extract water to fight the fire.
Some homeowners may have been caught off guard when central Texas faced freezing weather in February 2021. Many found their pool equipment was damaged due to water freezing inside the filtration system. Most home insurance policies exclude freezing damage to pool equipment! So, what can you do? Have a plan on how you can empty your pool equipment and filtration system of water if the electricity goes out. This will keep the water from freezing and expanding inside the equipment. Pool equipment is different from home to home, so you need a plan based on your system.
It’s also good to check with your insurance company to see if they have any specific requirements or recommendations for insuring an inground pool. For example, they may require you to have a fence around the pool or check on regular maintenance requirements to ensure you are covered in case of a claim.
If you have any questions about whether or not your home insurance policy covers your inground pool, contact your insurance agent for more information.
Authors: Hanna Ogle, CIC, CRM, CPRM and Dshanya Reese, CIC
