What’s This Summer’s Swimming Pool Must Have? It’s Not a Float, It’s Insurance

    Thanks to COVID-19 lockdowns, the summer of 2020 was one of the biggest years the swimming pool industry has ever seen. It seemed like everyone wanted to put in a backyard pool. While some people were lucky to get their swimming pool last summer, many people are just now getting that bit of backyard paradise.

    Can we say hallelujah?

    So if you’re one of the lucky ones with an existing pool or soon to get one, you need to know what the top must-have pool accessory is. And no, it’s not those two-inch foam floats with sea turtles and flamingoes from Grandin Road.

    It’s insurance. Yep, you heard right. Insurance.

    The first step in pool safety is to know the risks

    As fun and beautiful as a backyard pools are, they also pose what can be some pretty significant risks. Here are some scenarios:

    • You throw a swim party for your kids and their friends. While playing around, one slips on the wet pool deck and breaks an arm, requiring a trip to the hospital.
    • Your family is away for the weekend and some teens enter your yard after-dark for a swim. One of them drowns.
    • A family friend dives into the pool, hits their head and is temporarily disabled and can’t work.

    Of course, it’s hard to imagine something like this happening at your pool. However, the Centers for Disease Control cites accidental drowning as the leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States, with 3,700 each year. There are approximately, 6,700 non-fatal pool and spa accidents a year. Children ages one to four are particularly vulnerable to drowning.

    Bottomline: if you have a poolin ground or above ground, you should seriously consider adding more liability coverage to your homeowners insurance policy to cover legal and medical expenses in the event of a pool-related accident.

    Do not make the assumption that your regular homeowners policy will extend to your swimming pool. Because it’s a detached structure, it may not be covered by your homeowners unless specifically added to your coverage. The best thing to do is talk to your Campbell advisor to make sure it is covered by your homeowners policy. We can then determine if you need another layer of financial protection to repair or replace your pool if the unexpected were to occur such as a weather event or vandalism. 

    Another option we recommend is an umbrella policy, a type of personal liability insurance that covers claims in excess of regular homeowners coverage. An umbrella insurance policy covers injuries that occur in or near your pool. This includes medical expenses and legal fees should someone become litigious.

    The cost of pool insurance

    Adding swimming pool coverage is more affordable  than you might think. The specific cost depends on a number of things, like your location, whether or not your pool area is secured by a fence and locked gate, the policy limits, and insurance carrier. Yes, it’s an added expense but the financial protection and peace of mind it affords is priceless.

    The important thing to do is to meet with a trusted insurance advisor like Campbell Insurance to discuss your situation, suggest options and pricing. 

    Safety tips to put into practice now

    Tip 1: Always Supervise Pool Activity

    Kids should only swim with an adult’s permission and supervision. Stay attentive and don’t get distracted by texting or playing a phone game. Even better, get in the water with the kids so you can be there quickly if a problem arises. Instruct kids to keep themselves, floats, and noodles away from drains and suction outlets. Make sure you know the location of the emergency vacuum shutoff valve. Lastly, no running around the pool. Wet surfaces are slippery!

    Tip 2: Always Use Personal Flotation Devices

    Make sure young kids in the pool are outfitted with proper personal flotation devices like lifejackets that are properly fitted to their small frames. Keep a life ring next to the pool as backup if something goes wrong. Only experienced swimmers, kids and adults, should be in the deep end without a life preserver. Pool noodles and inner tubes aren’t enough to protect accidents from happening .

    Tip 3: Put Together a Pool Safety Kit

    Always have a first aid kit handy in the event of an accident. This includes essentials like bandages, alcohol wipes and antibiotic cream. A pair of scissors is also a must-have in case someone gets tangled in a pool cover or their bathing suit or hair is caught in a suction outlet. Learning CPR is a great way to up your pool safety. 

    Tip 4: Protect the Pool When Not In Use

    In most states, pools must be enclosed by a four-foot high fence or taller. Gates should be secured with a lock. Close the pool’s safety cover or lock the doors from the house to the pool when you are done swimming. Keeping the pool clean is an important part of making it a safe place to swim. Skim the pool for leaves, other debris, and small animals that might get in and unable to get out. You want to be able to see the bottom at all times. 

    In closing

    Backyard swimming pools can be a great source of fun for you, your family and friends. Make sure it stays that way by adding the right insurance to protect your property, you and your guests, and your financial future. If you currently have a backyard swimming pool, please contact Campbell Insurance now and  let’s discuss options. If you’re planning to build or install a pool this summer, don’t wait. Contact Campbell Insurance now so we can provide the information you need upfront to make an informed decision.