Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Trampolines?

Bouncing on a backyard trampoline can be excellent exercise and a lot of fun, but it can also be dangerous. Trampolines caused more than 111,000 injuries in 2023, with children younger than 15 accounting for nearly 90% of these incidents, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.^[1]

Beyond the clear safety concerns for your kids, trampolines also affect your homeowners insurance — having one can make your premiums bounce sky high.

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Coverage considerations for trampolines

Whether homeowners insurance covers trampolines isn’t always a simple yes or no.

Trampolines fall into what insurers call high-risk territory, and homeowners insurance companies typically handle high-risk situations in one of two ways:

• A strict “no-trampolines” rule: These policies won’t cover trampolines at all, leaving you with zero protection for trampoline accidents.^[2]

• Trampolines are allowed with precautions: Some insurers cover your trampoline if you follow specific safety rules, like installing nets or padding, limiting jumpers, or sinking the trampoline to ground level.

If you get a trampoline, you’ll need to work with your agent to get appropriate coverage. This often means adding riders or endorsements to your standard homeowners policy. It’s an additional cost, but it typically includes:

• 

  Liability coverage

  Liability insurance protects you against trampoline-related claims if someone gets hurt and sues you.

• 

  Medical payments coverage

  Medical payments insurance helps cover immediate medical bills.

Remember, your trampoline insurance coverage only works if your insurer knows about your trampoline and agrees to cover trampoline-related injuries. Skipping a call to your insurance agent could lead to losing your entire policy — including your coverage for things that aren’t trampoline claims.

Potential legal liabilities and attractive nuisance

Your trampoline poses more than physical risks. It creates legal ones, too. The law considers trampolines an attractive nuisance. An attractive nuisance is something that might entice children to come onto your property and potentially harm them.

For example, suppose a few neighborhood kids sneak into your yard to jump on your trampoline without your permission. In this case, you could be legally responsible if the kids get hurt.

To protect yourself, you’ll need to take reasonable steps to keep uninvited guests away. Otherwise, you could face expensive lawsuits and legal expenses if someone gets injured, whether you invited them to jump or not.^[3]

How to secure coverage for trampolines

A backyard trampoline can provide your family with lots of entertainment, but securing appropriate insurance coverage should come first.

Here’s a closer look at how property owners can safeguard against liability risks:

• 

  1. Call your insurance company

  Contact your home insurer before you buy the trampoline. Ask directly if your policy allows trampolines, and get details about the company’s safety requirements.

• 

  2. Install safety precautions

  If your insurer offers trampoline coverage, review the safety must-haves and set them up before the trampoline arrives. Get the details in writing from your insurer.

• 

  3. Add a trampoline rider to your policy

  Work with your agent to get the right protection. The extra coverage can bump up your premium, but it’s worth the cost for the reassurance it gives you if someone gets hurt.

• 

  4. Consider a personal umbrella insurance policy

  An umbrella policy is personal liability coverage that picks up where your standard policy leaves off, adding an extra layer of protection for your assets.

Safety tips for trampoline owners

A little effort goes a long way to keep your family’s backyard bouncing fun and worry-free. Consider these trampoline safety tips from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

• Ensure proper setup and equipment. Use a sturdy safety net around the trampoline and add padding to cover hard surfaces, such as the springs and frame. Place the trampoline on ground level and far from trees, fences, or anything that could pose a hazard.

• Inspect and maintain regularly. Keep an eye out for wear and tear. Look for rust, loose screws, frayed nets, or damaged pads, and fix them before letting anyone jump.

• Set clear rules and stick to them. Limit jumping to one person at a time to prevent collisions. You may need to be firm about this since eager kids can make enforcing it tough.

• Control access when not in use. Remove the trampoline ladder if you have one, and consider installing a lockable gate. You might even zip tie the safety net shut. This way, little ones can’t sneak in when no one’s around to supervise.

• Know the age limits. Trampolines aren’t safe for kids younger than 6.

• Say no to risky moves. Tricks like flips and somersaults can lead to serious injuries. Save them for supervised sessions with safety equipment.

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