Sink or Swim: Pool Rental Risks

Whether you’re renting out your home or looking for your next getaway, a pool can seem like an attractive perk. Before listing your home with a pool or booking that trip with dreams of taking a dip, understand the potential liability and risks that come with pool access.

As reported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), residential locations made up 71 percent of the reported fatal drowning incidents. Child drownings continue to be the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages 1 to 4 years old, and the third leading cause of unintentional death for children and adolescents ages 5-19 years.

Owners of homes with pools who are looking to rent their homes need to follow federal and state laws surrounding pool safety. Owners also need to determine if their insurance plan covers pools and if that coverage extends to rental situations. Having safety features will also affect how much insurance you pay. Longer-term renters want to consider a renters insurance policy to cover their own potential risks or injury. Even if you’re only renting the pool for a few hours through a service like Swimply, there is still the question of liability in the case of an accident – whether it’s a serious injury or something as simple as a sprained ankle caused by a slip and fall.

Before booking your rental, ensure that there are safety measures in place like fencing, a designated adult “water watcher,” and rescue equipment with a first aid kit nearby. Many accidents in pools can be attributed to human error. CED investigates accidents every year that involve drowning, diving accidents, and slip and falls. If you need help investigating an insurance claim regarding an accident in a rented pool, contact us or submit a case request online.

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