Dear Sherri, I have decided to take the plunge and install an above ground swimming pool. Do I need to contact my insurance company? – Sincerely, The Plunger
Dear Plunger, Did you NOT watch my Ask Sherri video about Homeowner’s policies and swimming pools? I almost drowned because of that video :). Anyway, the answer is yes, you should definitely call your agent. Installing a pool can bring up many questions, such as; do you need to fence the entire yard or just the pool? Is there a diving board? If so, some companies have special guidelines and recommendations. Some companies will require that you increase your personal liability limits to $1 million due to the increased risk. Also if you already have an umbrella policy, adding a pool can also affect that policy, since you might also have to increase your umbrella limit. These are just a few of the things that will need to be worked out so that you are properly covered.
This is why it is so important to communicate with your agent whenever you have an insurance question or concern. I’m a strong proponent of contacting your agent at least at renewal time to review your coverage, discuss any changes, and confirm you are getting all the coverage you need, such as flood, in-home business, or a personal articles floater just to name a few. I know you are busy, but you don’t want to find out about a missing coverage when you have a claim, so do it at renewal time! Good Luck, and don’t swallow too much water!
– Sherri