Most insurance providers consider trampolines and tree houses “attractive nuisances” due to their high-risk nature. Data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that trampolines cause more than 100,000 injuries in the country every year. This means that owning a trampoline exposes you to trampoline-injury related liability. Therefore, before installing a trampoline or tree house on your property, you should first know whether home insurance covers trampolines and tree houses or not. This article sheds light on this topic.
Does Home Insurance Cover Trampolines?
The answer to this question largely depends on the terms and conditions of your home insurance policy. Most insurers will not cover trampolines due to the high risk involved. In fact, due to a large number of trampoline-related injuries, the American Academy of Pediatrics warns parents against installing trampolines at home. In case your insurer accepts to insure your trampoline, you will likely have to pay higher premiums. When it comes to trampoline coverage under home insurance, the following three scenarios apply:
- Coverage with conditions –
Here, the insurance company agrees to cover any trampoline-related damage or injuries up to the policy limits provided you meet the stipulated safety standards. For instance, your trampoline may need to have an enclosure and safety landing pads before the insurer accepts to include it in your home insurance policy.
- No exclusions –
A no exclusions policy does not restrict the policyholder when it comes to installing a trampoline. Instead, the insurer considers it a normal property and pays for any resulting damage or injuries caused by the trampoline up to the policy limits. For instance, if you’re held liable for a third-party injury that happens on your trampoline, the liability coverage portion of your home insurance will pay for the damage. Similarly, in case of a covered incident, say vandalism, your personal property coverage will likely pay for the damage.
- Trampoline exclusion –
This policy does not cover trampoline-related injuries or damage at all. In fact, the insurance company may even cancel your policy if you install a trampoline on your property during the policy term.
Does Home Insurance Cover Tree Houses?
Tree houses cause about 2,800 injuries every year. Despite this, home insurance companies are generally more willing to insure tree houses. Provided you have enough liability insurance coverage, the insurance company will likely cover any tree house-related injuries. Additionally, if the treehouse gets damaged by a named peril, the insurance company will pay for the resulting losses.
Why You Should Review Your Coverage Needs?
Even if the insurance company accepts to cover your trampoline or tree house, you need to review your coverage to avoid underinsurance. This is particularly important because the standard homeowners insurance policy provides lower coverage limits on such high-risk items. Typically, the standard homeowners insurance policy has a liability coverage limit of $100,000. For adequate coverage, insurance experts recommend increasing your liability coverage limits to anywhere from $300,000 to $500,000 if you own high-risk property such as trampolines, tree houses, or pools. For adequate protection, ensure you consult your insurer about the limits on your coverage and increase them accordingly. Options to increase your liability coverage limits include adding a liability insurance endorsement to your primary homeowners insurance or purchasing an umbrella liability insurance policy.
If you have a trampoline or tree house on your property, make sure you understand the terms of your policy and seek advice from your insurance provider. For complete protection of your home against disasters, ensure you have the right homeowners insurance in place. Visit our professionals at McCarty Insurance Agency to get started on your tailored coverage.
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