How Owning a Pool Affects Your Home Insurance

Multi generation family having fun and enjoying swimming in backyard pool during summer holiday.

If you’re looking at buying a home with a pool or want to install one, then it’s essential to understand how it affects your home insurance. A pool in your backyard can increase your overall property value, but it also comes with additional risks and liabilities. So, here are all the things Residential Inspector of America wants you to know about how a pool affects your home insurance.

Risk Assessment

First and foremost, your pool is considered a liability. Consequently, your insurer will want to perform a risk assessment of the pool area to understand the potential risks. This assessment considers factors such as the depth of the pool, whether it has any slides or diving boards, and if adequate safety measures are in place.

Insurance Costs

Owning a pool will increase your insurance premiums. Your insurance company will view your property as a higher risk to insure, so you may pay more in premiums. In addition, pools can cause significant damage to your property and affect the surrounding area. Therefore, you'll likely need to increase your liability and overall coverages, which lead to higher premiums.

Pool Safety Measures

Installing pool safety measures, such as pool covers, fences, and alarms, can help mitigate liability risks. These measures protect your pool and prevent needless accidents, leading to expensive insurance claims. If you're buying a home with a pool, your Residential Inspector of America home inspection will ensure these aspects are sound and safe for use.

Documentation

Finally, it's important to keep accurate documentation of your pool maintenance and safety measures. This documentation may be needed in case of a claim or lawsuit, and it can provide evidence of your proactive approach to pool ownership. Keep records of regular maintenance, inspections, and safety measures to avoid potential problems with any insurance claim you may need to make.

Ensure Your Home is Properly Inspected

Whether purchasing a home with a pool or without, you still need to have the property fully inspected. For that reason, many residents have already turned to the team at Residential Inspector of America here in Atlanta, GA. We provide comprehensive buyer inspections, stucco inspections, and sewer line evaluations. So, pick up the phone and give us a call for a quote at (770) 476-4963.

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