There is no better way to enjoy the hot days of summer than spending time in the water with family and friends. However, because of the pandemic, it has become more difficult this summer to rent a lakeside cottage, go to your local swimming pool, and the beaches are packed with lineups that provide no guarantee you’ll get in.
This is why many people have opted to buy a swimming pool to enjoy the comfort and safety of their own backyard. That said, if you’re considering purchasing a pool, you should check with your insurance company to ensure you have the right coverage added to your home insurance policy.
Minimizing risks and having the right coverage to avoid liability
While swimming pools offer everyone hours of fun, there are risks involved that as a pool owner you need to be prepared for should an unforeseen accident occur. You will need coverage to insure your pool from potential damage and liabilities, which means you’ll need to increase the liability coverage in your existing home insurance policy.
Always check with your insurance company first to see what, if any, existing coverage is in your current homeowner’s policy. If there’s not, or there is but your policy needs to be updated, ask your Guelph insurance broker what the best options are so they can add to or adjust your policy accordingly.
Your policy should cover potential liability for things like accidental injury, death or drowning, property damage for your home or neighbouring homes should your pool leak (especially for above-ground pools), and should a trespasser injures themselves in your pool.
Having rules and precautions in place, along with the right insurance policy, is the best way to help avoid accidents from occurring while also providing peace of mind against potential liabilities.
What else homeowners should know about swimming pools
There are measures you can take to prevent pool-related incidents at your home on top of considering to increasing the liability coverage within your home insurance policy.
Consider these suggestions to prevent an accident if you have a swimming pool:
- Adult supervision is a must. Have someone alert supervising the pool at all times, especially when there are children around. Vigilance is the price of pool ownership.
- Flotation devices are not only fun but safe. If someone starts to flail in the water, he or she should have something to support them within reach. Get a poolside shepherd’s hook as well.
- Signage. “No Trespassing” on your fencing shows you’ve taken care to prevent “attractive nuisance” incidents. Have specific rules for your pool and post them.
- Make sure family members have first aid training.
- Never let someone swim alone in the pool. Always have at least one other person in or outside of the pool around.
For more information on home insurance rates for homeowners with pools, or for a competitive quote, click here.