Do You Need to Tell Homeowners Insurance About Your New Pool?
(Spoiler: Yes, you absolutely do.)
So, you finally did it. The backyard dream is now a reality – hello, pool life! But before you start planning the ultimate summer bash, there’s something important you need to do: tell your insurance company about your new pool.
We know it’s not as fun as picking out lounge chairs and floaties. But trust us, this little to-do can save you from big headaches (and even bigger bills) down the line.
“Wait, why is this even a thing?”
You may have seen the news about tax authorities in France using AI to find thousands of undeclared backyard pools. Wild, right? But this isn’t about the French taxman – it’s about your Home insurance coverage.
When you add a pool, you are not just increasing the value of your property – you are also increasing your liability risk. Here’s why your insurance company needs to know about it:
What Could Go Wrong?
Let’s break it down:
- Someone gets hurt in or near your pool.
A slip, a dive gone wrong, or worse – these are real risks, and they fall under your Liability coverage.
- The pool leaks or overflows, damaging your neighbor’s property.
Yes, your backyard oasis could flood someone else’s basement.
- The pool itself gets damaged.
Whether it’s storm damage, vandalism, or even structural collapse, you’ll want that coverage if something goes wrong.
What Happens If You Don’t Tell Your Insurance Company About a Pool?
Here’s the part people don’t always realize:
- If your insurance company isn’t aware you have a pool, they might not cover any of these losses mentioned above.
- Worse – they can deny your entire claim or void your policy altogether due to concealment.
And no, “but I posted it on Instagram” doesn’t count as a formal disclosure.
What To Do When You Add a New Pool
Call your insurance agent or broker
And let them know about this magnificent addition of yours. This isn’t just a nice-to-know: it’s essential for making sure your insurance still works the way it should.
Review your Liability Coverage
Adding a pool increases the chance someone could get hurt on your property. You may want to raise your limits to better protect yourself financially.
Get an Umbrella Policy
Especially if you plan to host pool parties or have your kids’ friends over for a swim this summer. It adds extra liability protection on top of your Home and Auto insurance – often at a surprisingly affordable rate.
Re-evaluate your Dwelling Coverage and Other Structures Coverage:
Adding a pool can increase the value of your property. But, toward which part of your Homeowners policy should the pool be counted?
- If your in-ground pool is attached to your house (like built into a connected deck or foundation), it may be covered under your Dwelling limit.
- If your pool is detached (which is most common), it likely falls under Other Structures Coverage (Coverage B) – which often defaults to just 10% of your Dwelling limit, which may not be nearly enough to cover a full in-ground pool, deck, fencing, etc.
- Either way, make sure you have enough coverage to rebuild the pool if it’s damaged in a covered loss.
Check your Personal Property Coverage
If you bought new patio furniture, an outdoor sound system, or that fancy grill station to go with your pool life, make sure your limits and item categories reflect those upgrades.
Add Equipment Breakdown Coverage
This often-overlooked coverage can help repair or replace the electrical and mechanical components that keep your pool running. Think: pool pump, heater, filtration system. If they are damaged due to a power surge or mechanical failure (not regular wear and tear), this add-on may step in and save the day.
Bottom Line
A pool is a significant investment – and a big responsibility. So, while it might not be as glamorous as picking out tile or hiring a pool guy, making sure your insurance policy is up to date is a must.
Let your insurance broker know now – before you are making that call after something goes wrong.
