Summertime can be a fun time for outdoor home recreation for the kids and the entire family. But there could also be some serious liabilities lurking right in your own backyard. With activities that include a pool, trampolines, inflatables and outdoor grills, there are always potential risks. To protect yourself from liabilities resulting from accidents and injuries involving guests and neighborhood kids, you need to consider what kind of insurance protection you have for any of these recreational activities.
Swimming Pools
Having a pool most likely will impact your insurance coverage significantly. Usually your pool is covered under your homeowner's insurance in the "other structures" portion of your policy, like a garage or work shed. In-ground pools and permanently installed above-ground pools fall under the other structures coverage. However, portable above-ground pools that you can move with you are typically covered by the personal possessions or contents portion of your policy. But the real concern regarding pools is not necessarily physical damage but liability issues. Having a pool will increase your home insurance rates and some insurance companies will not cover your pool at all if you have a diving board or slide. For your protection you may want to add higher liability limits to your existing homeowner's policy. Or you could follow the recommendation by most insurance experts for pool owners and purchase a personal umbrella policy that provides excess liability protection.
Trampolines
Trampolines are considered a dangerous item (attractive nuisance) on your property that children are naturally attracted to, which increases risk for injuries and liability claims. With a trampoline you are responsible for a child's injuries even if they used it without your knowledge or permission. In addition, damage to the trampoline itself and injuries related to it may or may not be covered by your homeowner's policy. Your policy likely treats trampoline coverage in one of three ways: 1) Covered with no exclusions; 2) Excluded from coverage; and 3) Covered if you take certain safety precautions. Even if your policy covers trampolines, it may not be sufficient coverage. So purchasing a personal umbrella policy will add additional liability protection for claims that exceed the limits of your homeowner's policy.
Bounce House/Water Slides/Inflatables
Whether you are renting one of these items or if you purchased one, you still have the same liabilities and exposure as you would with a trampoline. If you are renting, you need to take a few safety precautions. One, make sure you are renting from a reputable vendor who has insurance coverage. Secondly, you should check with your J.P. Perry agent to see if any additional riders should be made to your existing homeowner's policy. If you are purchasing one of these items, again you need to determine if a personal umbrella policy should be purchased.
Outdoor Grills
Malfunctioning grills are the largest cause of grill fires and over 5,700 grill fires take place every year. If a grill fire spreads to your house and causes damage, it should be covered under your homeowner's policy. In the event of a fire, your policy should cover damage to the structure of your home; damage to personal possessions (including the grill); damage to any other structures on your property (such as a garage); and injuries to guests or bystanders.
When you are planning for special outdoor recreation at home for you and your family this summer, check with your J.P. Perry agent to make sure all of your risks are covered.