Ah, summer – the season of sun, fun, and splashing in the backyard pool. But before we turn up the music and dive in, let’s talk about something just as important as SPF: swimming pool liability.

Pools are a blast, no doubt about it. However, they also come with serious risks that homeowners often overlook. Let’s break it down so you can protect both your fun and your finances.

• Drowning: The most heartbreaking and serious risk, especially for kids. Even a moment of inattention can lead to tragedy.
• Slips and Falls: Wet surfaces = wipeouts. Pool decks can get slippery fast, and injuries like broken bones or concussions are no joke.
• Diving Injuries: It might seem harmless, but diving into shallow water can lead to catastrophic injuries like spinal cord damage.

• Install safety features such as self-latching fences, pool alarms, and drain covers. These are must-haves, not maybes.
• Stay on top of maintenance. A leaky pool isn’t just annoying – it can cause water damage to your home’s foundation. That kind of repair isn’t cheap, and many Homeowners policies won’t cover damage from gradual leaks.

Now, let’s talk insurance (that’s right, the fun part):

• Review your Homeowners policy. Make sure your Liability and Medical Payments limits are high enough to protect you in case someone gets hurt.
• Have an above-ground pool? It’s considered Personal Property, so double-check that your policy has enough Personal Property coverage to include it.
• Want peace of mind that floats? An Umbrella policy adds an extra layer of liability protection – and can be surprisingly affordable.