Swimming Pools: Things to Consider

Do you have a pool, or are you thinking of putting one in your backyard? Whether you have a luxury in-ground pool, or plan to blow up the simplest of inflatable above-ground pools, it is important to consider the insurance and safety implications.

Swimming pools have been steadily rising in popularity, with more than 8.3 million households owning an in-ground or above-ground pool- up almost 10 percent since 2002,according to an annual report by the Association of Pool and Spa professions.

"All pools- from a simple kiddy pool to an aquatic extravaganza- can be dangerous and need to be properly insured and comply with local safety standards," said Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokesperson for the I.I.I (Insurance Information Institute)

According to a May 2009 report posted at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Web Site, 886 children aged five and younger died after drowning in either a pool or spa between 2004 and 2006. The report also shows that the majority of these deaths and injuries occurred in residential settings (79 percent)and that the parents or caretakers lost contact or knowlege of the wherabouts of the children involved (46 percent) before the child managed to access the pool or spa. Fatal drowning remains the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14 years; for every child who dies from drowning, five receiveemergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries.

When considering a pool:

Contact your town or municipality
Each town will have its own definition of a "pool," often based on its size and water depth. If the pool you are planning to buy mets the definition, then you must comply with local safety standards andbuilding codes. This may include installing a fence of a certain size, locks, decks and pool safety equipment.

Call your insurance agent or company representative
Let your insurance company know that you have a pool, since it will increase your liability risk. Pools are considered an "attractive nuisance" and it may be advisable to purchase additional liability insurance. Most homeowners policies include a minimum of $100,000 worth of liability protection. Pool owners, however, may want to consider increasingtheamountto $300,000 or $500,000.

You may also want to talk to your agent or company representative about purchasing an umbrella liability policy. For an additional premium of about $200 to $300 a year, you can get $1 million of liability protection over and above what you have on your home. This would also provide added liability protection when you drive.

If the pool itself is expensive, you should also have enough insurance protection to replace it in the event it is destroyed by a storm or other disaster.


Information provided by:

Sue Richardson
Allen Tate Insurance