What does homeowners insurance require for swimming pools?
In order to be eligible for coverage, most insurers will require you to have a safety fence around the perimeter of your swimming pool, regardless of whether the pool is above or in-ground.
Here’s some typical rules and requirements related to swimming pool safety and home insurance coverage.
Safety fence: Many insurance companies will require you to have a fence with a lock and that the pool be a certain height (usually four feet) or else they'll reject your application for insurance.
Lighting: Some insurers may require lights in or around the pool to prevent guests from slipping or falling in.
Diving boards: Some insurers won’t cover pools that have diving boards, while others might require certain safety features like non-skid tape to prevent injuries.
Ladder locks: If you have an above-ground pool, some insurers will require you to install a ladder that locks into place, or that you remove the ladder entirely when it’s not in use.
Can I get home insurance if my pool has no fence?
You likely won’t be eligible for home insurance if your pool doesn't have a fence due to the higher chance of accidental drownings and potentially expensive liability claims. Fences also deter neighbors and guests from entering the pool area without your permission and sustaining an injury.
Most insurers will conduct at least an exterior inspection of your home after you're approved for homeowners insurance to ensure that your pool meets their safety requirements and to verify that everything you stated in your insurance application is accurate.
If your pool doesn't have a safety fence at the time of the inspection, you'll likely be given a 30-day deadline to have one installed or risk having your policy canceled.
Is it illegal to have a pool with no fence?
Most cities or towns have laws in place requiring residential properties with swimming pools to have a safety fence with a gate around the perimeter of your entire property, around just the pool, or both. Before you install your fence, check with your local municipality to make sure that it’s up to code.
Additionally, your municipality may require that the fence be made of certain strong or durable materials, or that it meet certain height requirements. If you don't meet these requirements, you could potentially be issued a fine.
Can a pool fence lower my home insurance rates?
Because insurers require pool fences as a condition of coverage, they likely won't give you a discount on your home insurance rates for installing one. Additionally, having a fence around your pool is often legally required by your city or town, so there's no incentive for insurers to give you a discount for following a basic law.
