Pool cages, or screened-in pool areas, are common in Florida and other warm-weather states, and are a great way to keep out pesky mosquitoes and other insects. They can also block leaves and mulch from getting blown into your pool. But they aren’t indestructible — strong winds, hurricanes, and hail storms can all damage a pool cage. So, are you covered if a tree crashes through your pool cage?
Your pool cage may be covered by homeowners insurance, but it’ll depend on the insurance company, as well as details about the pool cage itself. If the pool enclosure or cage is attached to your home, it may be automatically included in your dwelling coverage. However, if the cage isn’t attached to your home it likely won’t be covered by your insurance (but you may be able to add additional coverage to your policy to protect it).
Many insurance companies only offer coverage and additional coverage to protect the structure of the cage, not the netting or screens that enclose it.
When does homeowners insurance cover pool cages?
Coverage for a pool cage will depend on your homeowners insurance policy, but if the cage is attached to your home then the structure of the pool cage or enclosure is usually covered. If you live in Florida, though, you should double check with your insurance company — many insurers have started excluding coverage for screened-in pool areas due to the increased risk of hurricane damage.
If it’s attached to your home, the structure of your pool cage — but not the netting or screens that enclose it — will be covered in the event it’s damaged by a covered peril.
Some common causes of pool cage damage that are covered by standard homeowners insurance include:
Wind and hail damage
Lightning strikes
Hurricanes
Fire
Vandalism
It’s important to remember that when you file a property damage claim, you have to pay a per-claim deductible, which is the amount you’re required to pay out of pocket before your insurer kicks in the remaining costs of repairs.
Some policies require a separate deductible for hurricane damage, which is usually 1–5% of your property’s insurance value and significantly more expensive than a standard deductible. States may also require a separate deductible for windstorm claims, too.
When does homeowners insurance not cover a pool cage?
Whether or not your pool cage is covered by insurance depends on your insurance company, but generally a standard homeowners insurance policy will only cover a pool cage if it is attached to your home. And even then, it will only cover the structure of the cage. That means if a windstorm blows a tree branch into your pool cage and the netting around it tears, home insurance wouldn’t cover the cost of replacing or repairing the netting.
Homeowners insurance also won’t cover your pool cage if it is damaged by a flood or earthquake, since both floods and earthquakes are excluded from a standard policy.
Can I add additional coverage for my pool cage?
If a standard homeowners insurance policy doesn’t include coverage for your type of pool cage or enclosure, you may be able to add additional coverage to your policy (depending on your insurance company). A representative from your insurance carrier can walk you through the steps to adding more coverage. But even with additional coverage added to your policy, the netting and screens that enclose your pool cage likely won’t be covered.
You should check with your insurance company to learn if you can schedule an endorsement to your policy for pool cage coverage.
Should I file a claim for a damaged pool cage?
Whether or not you should file a claim for your pool enclosure depends on the extent of damage and the cost of repairs or replacement. If a fire damages your entire home, including the pool cage, and you file a claim, for example, the cost of repairing the pool cage will be included in your overall claim payout.
But if only your pool cage is damaged in, say, a windstorm, it might not be worth it to file a claim if the cost of repairs isn’t significantly higher than your deductible. Filing a claim can also lead to an increase in your rates, so it may be smarter to pay out of pocket for pool cage repairs if they aren’t extensive.
