Swimming Pool Fencing: What’s Required by Insurance?

When you invest in a pool for your home, you may have questions about insurance. If your in-ground or above-ground pool is damaged, the good news is your existing homeowners’ policy may include this type of coverage. But what we’re going to talk about below is requirements for liability coverage related to pools, which brings us to the topic of whether or not you’ll need a fence around your San Diego pool.

Coverage for Pool-Related Incidents

Before discussing fencing and pools, let’s look at what insurance usually covers for pool owners in terms of liability. While the extent of coverage can vary, home insurance policies normally include some degree of liability protection for pool owners, which often extends to pool-related incidents. Specifically, such coverage typically includes:

• Related medical expenses
• Expenses related to any legal action
• Compensation specific to any pool-related injuries, including fatal ones

Safety Measures Often Required for Pools

For coverage purposes, insurance companies classify pools as “attractive nuisances.” This is primarily because a pool is a property feature that may attract a child, even one who isn’t part of your family. In fact, the Center for Injury Research and Policy estimates approximately a thousand children drown in swimming pools each year.

It’s because of risks of this nature that most insurance companies require policyholders with pools to have fences around them to reduce liability risks. Additionally, some insurance providers require homeowners with pools to have gates with locks. If your insurance provider requires this in addition to a fence, the pool fence, gate, and lock will need to meet local codes that apply to backyard additions of this nature.

Local Laws & Guidelines

Insurance companies that provide liability coverage for pool owners also require policyholders to adhere to their local municipalities’ laws and/or codes. Nearly all cities and towns in the United States have some type of requirement for fencing around pools and/or properties with pools. This means even if your insurance provider doesn’t specifically say you need to have a fence, you’ll still need one if your local municipality has this requirement.

For instance, the city of San Diego requires that all pools, whether they’re on residential or commercial properties, be enclosed with barriers. The “barrier,” which can be in the form of a fence, must be at least 60 inches tall above the ground. This is based on a measurement of the side of the barrier that faces away from your pool. If you opt for an above-ground pool, the “barrier” may be part of the pool’s structure.

Fencing Options

As for your fencing options, San Diego allows a wide degree of flexibility. Chain link or lattice fences are permitted, as long as the spaces are small gauge or slatted.

If you need advice about fencing or any other aspect of pool safety, call the experienced professionals at San Diego Pools. We’re a premier San Diego pool contractor, and our team of pool design and construction experts is dedicated to building the pool that’s right for your family and providing you with the highest-quality service in the industry. Give us a call today at 888-707-7786.