Trampoline Trouble: How a Backyard Bounce Zone Can Impact Your Home Insurance

Thinking about adding a trampoline to your backyard for the kids? It’s a popular idea, especially with summer here and kids home from school. However, before you take the plunge, it’s crucial to understand how a trampoline can impact your homeowners insurance policy. Trampolines present a significant liability risk, and insurance companies are often wary of them.

Trampolines and Homeowners Insurance: What You Need to Know

The statistics are sobering: over a million trampoline-related emergency room visits occurred between 2002 and 2011 alone, primarily involving children under 17. Broken bones are common, and tragically, one in 200 resulted in permanent neurological damage. Let’s break down the potential insurance implications and what you can do to protect yourself.

How Trampolines Affect Your Homeowners Insurance

The first thing to understand is that your health insurance is responsible if someone in your household – you, your child, or another resident – gets injured on the trampoline. However, your homeowners insurance comes into play when a guest, like your child’s friend, is injured. In that scenario, your insurance company could be responsible for medical bills and potential lawsuits.

The coverage varies significantly from company to company. Some insurers will outright exclude trampoline-related incidents, while others might only allow them with protective netting. Still others may not mention trampolines at all, leaving you to assume coverage – a risky assumption to make!

Policy Cancellations and Renewals

Be warned: failing to disclose a trampoline to your insurance company can have serious consequences. If your policy excludes trampolines and you don’t inform them, they may have the right to cancel your policy entirely. This can negatively impact your insurance score, making it more difficult and expensive to obtain insurance in the future.

Renters Insurance Considerations

If you rent your home, finding renters insurance that covers trampoline-related accidents can be challenging. While not impossible, it will likely require extensive shopping around to find a policy that offers the necessary liability coverage.

3 Rules for Trampoline Owners & Insurance

So, you’re still set on getting a trampoline? Here are three essential rules to follow to protect yourself and your family.

• Always Disclose to Your Insurer: This is the most important rule. Talk to your insurance company *before* you buy the trampoline to understand the potential consequences. While a premium increase is likely, honesty is the best policy.
• Increase Your Liability Coverage: Consider increasing your liability coverage, either by adding a personal umbrella policy or by increasing the limits of your existing homeowner’s policy. A personal umbrella policy can provide an extra layer of protection, often for a relatively small annual cost (around $100 for $1 million in additional coverage).
• Invest in Safety Features: Don’t skimp on safety. A safety net is a must, and a lock to prevent unauthorized use is also a good idea. If you’re not experienced with trampoline assembly, hire a professional to ensure it’s done correctly.

The Cost of Safety

Prioritizing safety is non-negotiable. Investing in a safety net, proper assembly, and potentially increased liability coverage is a small price to pay for the well-being of your children and any other children who may use the trampoline on your property.

Conclusion: Weighing the Risks and Rewards

Adding a trampoline to your backyard can be a source of fun and exercise for your kids, but it’s essential to be fully aware of the potential insurance implications. Open communication with your insurance provider, adequate liability coverage, and a commitment to safety are crucial to mitigating the risks. Carefully consider these factors before making a purchase to ensure you’re adequately protected.