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A pool can be an attractive addition to your home. The U.S. has 9.1 million backyard pools, with around 53,000 in-ground and 36,000 above-ground pools built in 2022, according to home services website Angi.
While having a swimming pool can be a great way to cool off during warm weather, the increased risk is a trade-off.
Hospital emergency departments treated about 6,300 children younger than 15 for nonfatal pool- or spa-related accidents annually between 2019 and 2021, according to data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.[1]
If you have a swimming pool or are thinking about installing one, you’ll need the right home insurance to protect yourself financially if you need to rebuild your pool or someone gets injured on your property.
Standard homeowners insurance covers swimming pools. The type of coverage you receive depends on the pool you have.
Your insurance company may include in-ground and above-ground swimming pools under the “other structures” portion of your policy. However, in-ground swimming pools may receive dwelling coverage depending on your insurer. An above-ground portable pool typically falls under personal property coverage.
The coverage amount you receive for your pool will depend on its category. You can usually expect 50% to 70% of your dwelling amount for personal property coverage and 10% for detached structures, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).[2]
Contact your insurance company to determine if your pool will receive dwelling, other structures, or personal property coverage. This can help you determine whether you have sufficient pool coverage or need more.
Homeowners insurance will also offer liability coverage for your pool. If anyone incurs injury in or near your pool, this part of your policy will take care of medical expenses or lawsuits that result from the injury.
Good to know
The III recommends purchasing at least $300,000 to $500,000 in liability coverage if you have a pool.[3] However, consider purchasing more coverage for pool-related incidents or other liabilities you may take on. Umbrella insurance provides extra protection if you have a swimming pool and regularly invite guests to your home.
What does swimming pool insurance cover?
Swimming pool insurance will cover the standard perils of an insurance policy, like fires, weather damage, and vandalism. Depending on your policy, homeowners insurance may also cover pool equipment damages, such as pumps, filters, and heaters, according to Guillermo Navarro, property product senior manager for Farmers Insurance.
Homeowners insurance will protect you from liability expenses such as medical or lawsuit bills for pool-related injuries.
What isn’t covered under swimming pool insurance?
Homeowners insurance won’t cover damages to your swimming pool that result from the following:
Lack of maintenance: Homeowners insurance won’t typically cover pool damages from neglect. Inspect your pool regularly and conduct proper maintenance tasks, like draining your pool during the winter and cleaning it to avoid preventable damages and injuries.
Flood damage: If a flood damages your pool, homeowners insurance won’t cover it. You’ll need a separate flood insurance policy for coverage.
Earthquake damage: Like flood insurance, you’ll need earthquake insurance to cover damages from an earthquake.
The average cost of homeowners insurance is $2,724, according to Insurify data. However, expect to pay more for your policy if you increase your dwelling, personal property, or liability coverage. For example, adding $1 million of umbrella insurance could bump up your policy’s cost by $150 to $300 per year.
Keep in mind that various factors influence the cost of your homeowners insurance policy. Your home’s location, the replacement cost of your home, your insurance company, your credit score, your coverage amounts, and a host of other elements affect your policy’s premium.
How do pools affect insurance rates?
Pools will increase your home’s replacement cost, so you may need more dwelling, other structures, or personal property coverage to ensure you’re fully protected. If your coverage increases, so will your insurance premium.
Pools are also considered attractive nuisances — home features that are a magnet for children, like pools, trampolines, or playground sets. And they pose an increased liability risk.[4]
“Due to the increase in liability risk, homeowners who install a swimming pool may see a rate change on their insurance policy. Pool-related accidents, such as slips and falls, drownings, and other injuries, can be costly, resulting in a change to a homeowner’s premium,” says Navarro.
Keep in Mind
If you have a pool, you may need more liability coverage to cover any costs related to an injury or accident on your property. With increased coverage, you’ll have to pay more for your policy.
What insurance companies offer swimming pool coverage?
Most homeowners insurance companies will insure your pool. To find homeowners insurance, you can use the Insurify comparison tool to help you find pool insurance at the most affordable rates in a few minutes.
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Swimming pool safety tips
While homeowners insurance can be a financial lifeline if someone gets hurt on your property, that doesn’t mean you should neglect pool safety. Here are some things you can do to prevent an accident from happening near your pool: [5][6]
Install necessary pool safety devices. When you can’t keep your eyes peeled at all times, pool alarms, fences, covers, nets, anti-entrapment drain covers, and guard rails can be lifesaving. Your homeowners insurance company may even require you to install certain safety features before insuring your pool.
Teach children how to swim. Prevent drowning by teaching children how to swim. If a child can’t swim, require them to wear a flotation device.
Have a water watcher. An adult should supervise children in a pool at all times. The water watcher should avoid being preoccupied (like reading a book or falling asleep) and have their phone in reach in case of an emergency.
Learn CPR and first aid. CPR and first aid are invaluable skills, especially if you have children or older adults in your care. Consider getting CPR certified and renew your certification every two years.[6]
Establish pool rules. Require children to steer clear of water drains and avoid running or playing roughly. And don’t allow anyone to dive into the pool unless it has a safe diving area. Ensure everyone knows the pool safety rules, and post your guidelines where everyone can see them.
Pool insurance FAQs
Putting in a pool can bring enjoyment to you and your family, but it also comes with increased insurance risks. Here’s some additional information about home insurance and pools to help as you decide how much additional coverage you may need.
Does homeowners insurance cover in-ground pools?
Yes, homeowners insurance will cover in-ground pools under other structures or dwelling coverage in your policy.
Does homeowners insurance cover above-ground pools?
Yes, homeowners insurance will cover above-ground pools under the other structures section of your policy.
Is a swimming pool considered an attractive nuisance?
Yes, a swimming pool is considered an attractive nuisance. Swimming in a pool may be fun for a child, but it also exposes them to hazards like slipping, falling, and drowning.
Should you get an umbrella policy to cover your pool?
Umbrella insurance gives you more liability coverage, which can help pay for any medical expenses and lawsuit fees if an accident occurs on your property with a pool.
Do you need pool insurance for a rental property?
Pools pose increased liability risk. So landlords should consider having more insurance for their swimming pools to prevent the financial burden of lawsuits and medical expenses due to an accident.
Alani Asis is a personal finance freelance writer with nearly three years of experience in content creation. She has landed bylines with leading publications and brands like Insider, Fortune, LendingTree, and more. Alani aims to make personal finance approachable through fun, relatable, and digestible content.
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
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