Don’t Let Your Pool Put You in the Financial Deep End

Pools are the perfect addition to any home for summer fun, but have the potential to put you in the financial deep end. Since pools increase your chances of being sued or responsible for someone else’s medical expenses, adding a pool to your backyard automatically increases your liability in the eyes of your insurance provider. Because of this fact, it is important to revisit your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if additional coverage is needed.In general, homeowners’ insurance alone will not be sufficient in the event someone is hurt in your pool. In fact, many policies specifically exclude pools from their coverage. Before you install your backyard pool, review local safety standards and codes to ensure you take all proper precautions. Once the pool is in place, consider boosting your liability coverage above $100,000 in the event a pool user gets injured and seeks damages via a civil claim against you.Another precaution pool owners can take is implementing a set of “pool rules” to decrease potential liability and as a reminder of good, common sense practices. Simple pool safety rules such as never leaving small children unsupervised, being sure all pool users know how to swim, and keeping children away from pool filters, can mean the difference in facing a lawsuit or helping your guests enjoy your pool safely.Owners should also fence the pool area to ensure nobody enters the pool without your knowledge or permission. This is a code requirement in most urban and suburban areas and just good risk management everywhere.By being proactive and taking the necessary precautions, you will have the peace of mind to enjoy your new backyard oasis all summer long. To request a quote or learn more about your homeowners insurance in Atlanta, call us at 404-459-5975.