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Swimming pools: Avoid disaster!

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POOLS AND SPAS: ARE YOU ADEQUATELY COVERED BY YOUR HOME INSURANCE?

Did you know that swimming pools (above-ground or in-ground) and outdoor spas are not automatically covered by your home insurance? Many homeowners are unaware of this until a loss occurs.

ABOVE-GROUND POOLS: REMEMBER TO ADD PROTECTION

If you have an above-ground pool, you should ask your insurer for specific coverage to protect you against frequent damage such as :

  • Freezing or thawing
  • Broken canvas
  • Cracks in the structure

Most home insurers offer replacement value for the first 5 years only. After that, depreciation is applied according to the number of winters you’ve had. If your pool is aging, you may want to consider removing this coverage to reduce your insurance premium.

IN-GROUND POOLS AND SPAS: BEWARE OF CONDITIONS

In-ground pools and above-ground spas are treated differently by different insurers. Some :

  • Include them in the roofing of the main building
  • Others require pool or spa insurance

     

What’s more, the cost of replacing an in-ground pool is often added to the cost of rebuilding your home in your contract.

EXCLUSIONS TO BE AWARE OF

Even if you have the right coverage, certain exclusions apply, such as :

  • Damage caused by objects carried by water (e.g. a chair blown over by the wind)
  • Damage caused by vermin (e.g. raccoon damaging canvas)

These situations may not be compensated, despite the protection in force.

WHAT ABOUT CIVIL LIABILITY?

The good news is that, in most cases, your liability insurance policy will cover an incident at your pool or spa. For example: A neighbor’s child is injured or drowns in your pool because you forgot to lock the access.

A lawsuit could follow, and your home insurance liability coverage will kick in. However, it is essential to secure your installations with :

  • A compliant fence
  • An automatic locking system
  • Constant monitoring
IN SUMMARY

Owning a pool or spa is a pleasure, but it also entails responsibilities and risks. Talk to your home insurance broker to make sure you have the right coverage, with no surprises in the event of a claim.