Does getting a trampoline increase your homeowners insurance?
Yes. Having a trampoline will typically increase home insurance costs because it increases the risk of injuries and claims occurring on your property.
If you have a trampoline on your property, you may wonder whether your home insurance covers your trampoline and potential related injuries. Between 2009 and 2018, more than 800,000 children experienced a trampoline injury in the U.S., according to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database.1
Your home insurance may cover your trampoline, but you can’t buy a separate trampoline insurance policy. If your homeowners insurance includes trampoline coverage, you can expect a higher rate due to the extra risk it poses to the insurer.
Here’s what you need to know about trampoline insurance.
Homeowners insurance and trampolines
Homeowners insurance companies typically approach trampoline coverage in one of three ways:
Always covered: Your home insurance policy will cover claims related to your trampoline in just about every circumstance. Whether a guest jumps on it and incurs an injury or your trampoline sustains damage as a result of a covered peril — such as a storm — it’ll kick in.
Covered under some circumstances: In many cases, home insurance companies only cover your trampoline if you take specific safety precautions. For example, your insurer may require you to add a safety net or have a fence around your trampoline.
Never covered: Because a trampoline adds greater risk to your property, it’s not uncommon for home insurers to exclude insurance coverage for trampolines. Some home insurance companies may deny you coverage unless you dispose of the trampoline.2
What trampoline insurance covers
If you have a home insurance policy that covers trampoline-related claims, a few coverages in your policy can protect you. The following coverages are part of HO-3 policies — the most common type of homeowners insurance.
Learn more about how home insurance can provide trampoline coverage below.
How a trampoline affects home insurance rates
When you have a trampoline on your property, the risk of injuries and liability claims against you increase automatically. Therefore, you can expect higher home insurance rates than if you didn’t own a trampoline. If you don’t currently have a trampoline but plan to purchase one in the future, your premiums will likely rise once you notify your home insurance company of it.
When homeowners insurance won’t cover trampolines
In some cases, your homeowners policy may not cover trampolines, including:
You omit a trampoline from your homeowners policy. You may personally choose to exclude trampoline coverage from your policy. This may lead to lower home insurance premiums but can leave you with high out-of-pocket costs for medical bills and legal fees down the road.
The insurer won’t sell coverage to a home with a trampoline. Some homeowners insurance companies might deny you coverage if you have a trampoline. The increased risk may not be worth it to them.
You didn’t tell your insurer you have a trampoline. It’s your responsibility to let your homeowners insurance company know you have a trampoline on your property. If you don’t, you can’t expect them to cover it.
You didn’t take specific safety precautions required by your policy. In order to receive coverage for your trampoline, your home insurer may ask you to install safety equipment, like a safety net or fence around it. If you don’t adhere to the insurer’s safety requirements, the insurer won’t provide trampoline coverage.
How to avoid trampoline injuries and claims
)
While trampolines increase the risk of injuries and claims, you can take steps to increase trampoline safety and avoid injury, such as:
Set up a safety net. A safety net is an important investment if you have a trampoline. It can significantly reduce the risk of someone falling.
Maintain adult supervision. An adult should always watch children on the backyard trampoline, particularly if younger kids are jumping.
Inspect the trampoline often. Assess your trampoline on a regular basis. Look for damaged or worn supporting bars, springs, and other parts and replace them as necessary.
Allow one jumper at a time. If possible, restrict trampoline use to only one jumper. Multiple jumpers can increase the risk of injuries.3
Trampoline insurance FAQs
The following information should help you understand if home insurance covers your trampoline.
How much does it cost to add a trampoline to homeowners insurance?
It depends. The price of trampoline coverage varies by home insurance company. It’s a good idea to shop around and compare your options to find the best deal.
Should you tell your homeowners insurance company if you get a trampoline?
Yes. You must inform your home insurer if you have a trampoline on your property. If you don’t, you won’t receive coverage, and your home insurance company may even drop you.
What is an attractive nuisance?
Per the attractive nuisance doctrine, children are too young to know about the dangers of nuisances like a swimming pool or trampoline. If your trampoline is in an area accessible to children — like your backyard — you may be liable for any serious injuries that come from it as a homeowner.4
)
Insurance Writer
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}