Long Summer Days: Enjoying Your Trampoline or Pool While Managing Liability Risks

As the summer sun stretches the days into long, warm evenings, backyards across the country come alive with laughter, splashes, and bounces. Trampolines and swimming pools are staples of summer fun, offering endless entertainment for families and friends. However, as your insurance broker, we want to remind homeowners that these backyard features come with increased liability risks. Understanding these risks and ensuring proper safety measures can keep your summer carefree while protecting your financial security.

The Liability Risks of Trampolines and Pools

Trampolines and swimming pools are considered “attractive nuisances” in the insurance world. This means they can draw in children or visitors, increasing the chance of accidents or injuries on your property. From a sprained ankle on a trampoline to a slip near the pool, these incidents can lead to costly medical claims or even lawsuits. Homeowners insurance typically covers liability for such accidents, but having a trampoline or pool often increases your premium due to the heightened risk. Most homeowners insurance companies charge an additional $50 to $100 per year to cover homes with trampolines or pools. This modest increase reflects the added liability exposure. To keep your coverage intact and avoid claim denials, insurers often require specific safety measures to minimize risks. Let’s break down the requirements for each.

Trampoline Safety: Bounce with Confidence

Trampolines are a blast, but they can lead to injuries if not properly maintained or secured. Insurance companies typically require the following to ensure your trampoline meets safety standards:

  • Netted Sides: A sturdy safety net enclosing the trampoline is a must to prevent users from falling off during enthusiastic jumps.
  • Good Condition: The trampoline must be free of tears, rust, or structural damage. Regular maintenance checks are essential to ensure springs, padding, and the frame are in top shape.
  • Proper Placement: Position the trampoline on level ground, away from trees, fences, or other hazards that could cause injury.

By meeting these requirements, you not only comply with your insurance policy but also create a safer environment for everyone bouncing around. Always supervise children and limit the number of users to prevent collisions or accidents. Also, some insurance companies are not comfortable providing liability coverage and will exclude coverage. In these cases, we would recommend finding coverage with another company that we work with to make sure you don’t have a coverage gap!

Swimming Pool Safety: Dive into Protection

Whether you have an in-ground or above-ground pool, safety is paramount. Pools pose risks like drowning, slips, or diving-related injuries, so insurers enforce guidelines to reduce liability. Here’s what you need to know:

In-Ground Pools

  • Fencing: At a minimum, in-ground pools must be surrounded by a fence to restrict unauthorized access, especially by young children or neighbors. The fence should be tall enough to deter climbing (typically at least 4 feet high).
  • Locking Latch: Many insurers require a locking gate or latch to further safeguard the pool area, ensuring only authorized individuals can enter.
  • Diving Boards and Slides: Some companies set a minimum pool depth (often 8 feet or more) for diving boards to reduce the risk of head or spinal injuries. Others may prohibit sliding boards altogether due to the potential for accidents with kids falling off the top of the slide to the concrete below which can result in possible serious issues like head trauma.

Above-Ground Pools

  • Locking Ladder or Limited Access: Above-ground pools must have a ladder that can be locked or removed when the pool is not in use. Alternatively, access can be restricted with a gate or other barrier to prevent unsupervised entry.

Regular pool maintenance is also critical. Keep the water clean, ensure non-slip surfaces around the pool, and check that all safety equipment (like life rings or rescue tubes) is readily available. Supervision is non-negotiable—never leave children unattended near a pool, even for a moment.

Why These Safety Measures Matter

Adhering to these safety requirements does more than just satisfy your insurance provider. It significantly reduces the likelihood of accidents, protecting your loved ones and guests. In the unfortunate event of an injury, compliance with these guidelines ensures your homeowner’s insurance can step in to cover medical bills or legal claims, sparing you from out-of-pocket expenses that could run into the thousands. Moreover, failing to meet these standards could lead to a denied claim or even cancellation of your policy. For example, if an injury occurs on a trampoline without a safety net or in a pool without a fence, your insurer may determine you didn’t take reasonable precautions, leaving you financially vulnerable.

Tips for a Safe and Insured Summer

To make the most of your backyard oasis while keeping liability in check, consider these practical steps:

  1. Notify Your Insurance Agent: If you’ve recently added a trampoline or pool, inform your insurance agency right away. We’ll review your policy, adjust coverage as needed, and ensure you meet all requirements. Insurance companies also use aerial imagery to identify these risks and will reach out to us in some cases.
  2. Conduct Regular Inspections: Check your trampoline and pool regularly for wear and tear. Replace damaged parts promptly and ensure all safety features (nets, fences, latches) are functional.
  3. Consider Additional Coverage: If you frequently host gatherings, ask us about an umbrella policy for extra liability protection. It’s an affordable way to boost your peace of mind!
  4. Supervise and Educate: Always supervise activities and teach children about safe practices. A little vigilance goes a long way in preventing accidents.

Enjoy the Summer with Peace of Mind

Long summer days are meant for making memories, not worrying about liability. By investing in proper safety measures and maintaining adequate homeowners insurance, you can let the good times roll—whether that’s bouncing on a trampoline or splashing in the pool. The small annual cost of $50 to $100 for added coverage is a worthwhile trade for the joy and security of a fun-filled summer. At Looker Wolfe & Gephart, we’re here to help you navigate the ins and outs of homeowners’ insurance. Contact us today to review your policy, discuss your trampoline or pool, and ensure your coverage keeps up with your summer plans.

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