Homeowners insurance can help cover the cost of repairs to your pool liner if it’s damaged by a fallen tree, hail, or another event that is covered by your policy.
However, homeowners insurance generally does not cover maintenance issues, so if your pool liner wears down over time or it’s bleached because of too much chlorine, your policy won’t cover repairs or a replacement liner.
Does homeowners insurance cover damage to pool liners?
Homeowners insurance may cover the cost of pool liner repairs if it is damaged by a covered peril in your policy. If a storm knocks a tree over into your pool and it tears the liner, you may be covered for repairs or a new liner.
Below are some common causes of pool liner damage that are covered by homeowners insurance:
Fire
Lightning strikes
Windstorm and hail
Hurricanes
Falling objects, like a tree
Vandalism
When does homeowners insurance not cover pool liner damage?
Pool liners are commonly torn or damaged due to general wear and tear and overexposure to UV rays, chlorine, and other pool-cleaning chemicals. But unfortunately, none of those things are covered by homeowners insurance.
As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to take care of the general upkeep of your property with routine maintenance checks. Pool liners generally last anywhere from 5 to 10 years, and you can help them last longer by consistently monitoring and maintaining the water and chemical levels of your pool.
Should I file a claim for a damaged pool liner?
It depends. When you file a property damage claim, you have to pay a deductible, which is the out-of-pocket amount that you have to pay your insurer before your insurance kicks in.
Filing a claim can raise your rates, so if the cost to repair your pool liner isn’t significantly more expensive than your deductible, it may be more cost-effective to just foot the bill yourself. If the repair costs are less than your policy deductible, then you won’t be able to file a claim. That means if the liner damage amounts to a few hundred dollars and you have a $1,000 deductible, you’ll have to pay for repairs out of pocket.
→ Learn more about how having a pool affects your insurance rates
