Are swimming pools covered under home insurance?

Damage to your pool's structure caused by insured events, such as storms or fires, is usually covered by home insurance. However, if your pool collapses due to poor maintenance or negligence, your insurer is unlikely to pay for the repairs. 

Leakage is a common headache for pool owners. Pool leaks can stem from structural damage or plumbing issues, resulting in water seepage that can potentially harm the surrounding areas. In such cases, professional assistance is often necessary to detect and rectify these issues.

When paying the cost of these repairs, your insurance coverage may come into play if the structural damage resulted from an insured event, such as a storm. However, it's important to note that insurers generally don’t cover age-related wear and tear to the pool.

Pool leaks can sometimes lead to damage beyond the pool itself, affecting other areas of your property. Some insurance providers may offer coverage for accidental water damage to your property due to leakage or overflowing that could not have been reasonably foreseen or prevented through regular maintenance.

Pool equipment, like pumps, filters, and heaters, is essential for maintaining your pool. While some homeowners insurance policies offer coverage for these items if they are damaged due to insured events, remember to review your policy to understand the extent of coverage for pool equipment.

For example, some home insurers specifically exclude damages to the electric motor of your swimming pool water pump. You may need to purchase an add-on cover for motor burnout to include the pool pump's motor in your insurance policy.

Insurance companies often perceive swimming pools as potential safety risks, which may increase your home insurance costs. However, a pool’s precise impact on your premium can vary significantly. Insurers consider multiple factors, including the pool type and its location on your property, when assessing the associated risk.

To ensure you're getting a competitive deal, it could help to compare quotes from different insurers. Remember to carefully review each insurer's PDS to ensure you're obtaining the necessary level of protection.

Even though pools can add to your insurance premium, it's crucial to disclose the presence of a pool to your home insurance provider. Failing to do so can lead to rejected claims, as your pool is unlikely to be covered if the insurer wasn’t informed at the time of purchasing the policy.