Pools and Insurance: What You Should Know

Swimming pools can be a delightful addition to a home, offering relaxation, exercise and a place to cool off during hot summer days.

However, as a homeowner, it’s essential to understand how your pool impacts your insurance coverage.

Insurance Considerations for Owning a Pool

The necessary insurance coverage can vary whether you own an aboveground or in-ground pool. Typically, in-ground pools fall under other structures coverage, while aboveground pools are covered by personal property insurance.

However, even if your homeowners insurance covers your pool, you might need to adjust your coverage limits based on factors like the pool’s value, type and any accessories, such as a deck or slide.

Additionally, consider increasing your liability coverage. While liability protection is standard in homeowners policies, owning a pool can raise your liability risk. You could face medical or legal expenses if a guest gets injured at your pool.

To mitigate this risk, enhance your policy limit. Furthermore, you should take preventive measures, suich as installing a fence, using lockable covers and setting up alarms, to help ensure safety.

Safety Tips for Pool Owners

Pool owners should consider the following safety tips:

• Ensure everyone has basic swimming and water safety skills.

• Provide continuous and close supervision of swimmers.

• Learn how to recognize and respond to a swimmer in distress and perform CPR.

• Install four-sided fencing around your backyard pool, separating it from the house, with self-closing and self-latching gates to prevent unsupervised access.

• Read and follow all directions on product labels for pool chemicals. Wear safety equipment (e.g., masks, gloves, goggles) when handling chemicals and keep them secure and away from children and pets.

• Regularly check disinfectant (e.g., chlorine or bromine) levels and pH. Maintain recommended levels to help keep swimmers healthy.

• Avoid using glass near the pool to prevent accidents and broken glass.

• Don’t run around the pool area.

• Don’t dive in shallow water or any aboveground pool.

• Dispose of trash properly and keep the area around the pool tidy and free of debris.

• Keep a first-aid kit and floatation rescue devices nearby.

• Avoid alcohol use while swimming.

• Enforce safety rules with guests.

Insurance for Pools in Las Vegas

If you want to learn more about how owning a swimming pool impacts your homeowners insurance policy, contact EL Sol Insurance. Our professionals are committed to helping you find the best coverage for your needs.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.