Insurance Coverage for Your Swimming Pool & Safety Tips

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Swimming Pool & Home Insurance in Seattle, WashingtonIf you are looking to add a swimming pool to your property, you may be curious how it impacts your home insurance policy.

First of all, you will need to alert your agent of the swimming pool addition. If you do not alert your insurance carrier of your pool addition, you may not be covered for any claims. Your homeowners insurance can provide coverage for any damage that occurs to the pool such as a fallen object or fire. Our agents can help you determine what type of coverage you need for your pool. It can be considered personal property coverage or other structure coverage on your home insurance policy.

Swimming pools also increase your liability risk. If a guest had an injury at your pool, liability coverage can provide you with coverage for bodily injury, medical bills, or even legal fees. Talk to your agent about your current liability insurance coverage and if it is beneficial to increase your limits. We can review your personal umbrella policy with you.

It is important to note that many insurance carriers will require you to build a fence around your pool in order to provide coverage. We are here to help provide coverage details so you fully understand your policy.

Pool Safety Tips –

Swimming pools bring several exposures to injury. To limit your exposure, setting strict guidelines around the swimming pool for security can considerably lower the chances of injury occurring. Adhere to these safety tips when in and around a pool:

  • Supervision– kids should never be left unattended around a swimming pool. If your children or friends intend to make use of the pool always call for grown-up supervision. If your children’s pals are wanting to use the swimming pool and you’re unable to supervise, ask another parent to supervise.
  • Call for walking– Water and concrete are unsafe. Lower the opportunities of a slip and fall injury by making certain everyone around the swimming pool walks and does not run.
  • No Glass Around Pool Policy– Glass can fall into the pool or around the deck and create an unsafe situation.
  • Routinely Examine– check the items used around a pool like the diving board, slide or flotation equipment.
  • Fencing & Lock the Pool– Most insurance providers will certainly need fencing of at the very least 4 feet to exist around a swimming pool.
  • Mount an alarm– You can set up an alarm that spots when somebody enters the swimming pool.
  • Safeguard your pet dogs– Animals are attracted to water, specifically on a warm day. Keep your pool area secured from animals when you’re not using it to ensure they don’t fall in.

By following appropriate safety precautions you can have plenty of terrific memories and also your kids can have a lot of fun! Enjoy your swimming pools properly. If you have inquiries on swimming pool requirements for insurance purposes, we have answers. Our qualified representatives can help ensure your residential property is insurable and that you are effectively covered in case you have a claim.

Do I Need Flood Insurance For My New Home?

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Flood insurance offers a layer of protection for your home that stands up to even the worst natural disasters. Here are some reasons why you should consider adding it to your homeowner’s policy.

Family unpacking boxes

When natural disasters, accidents, or other property-threatening events strike, homeowner’s insurance helps get your life back on track as soon as possible. In addition to financially compensating for loss and helping expedite repairs, insurance adds an extra layer of reassurance when local weather reports and headlines sound grim.

This peace of mind, however, only works as long as your coverage does, and that means preparing for anything, even if some issues are more likely to happen than others.

Flooding, for example, is not typically included in traditional homeowner’s insurance policies – and it’s important coverage too many choose to pass up.

Here are a few important reasons to consider getting flood insurance for your new home:

When Flood Insurance is Required

If you live in certain areas, it might not be an option. Properties located in flood plains or near certain bodies of water may be required to get flood insurance as a condition of ownership.

While the property’s sale paperwork and discussion should touch on this if it is a requirement, individual addresses can also be checked in a FEMA flood database for more direct research.

Mold Remediation Costs

Even a little water can turn into a big problem. Rising water from lakes, rivers, or the ocean aren’t the only sources of aquatic headaches: heavy rains can accumulate just as easily. Even if only an inch of water creeps into places it shouldn’t be, the entire structure of the floor can be damaged, weakened, or infested with health-endangering mold.

If you have young children or pets in the home, even a small mold infestation can become serious or even deadly if left unchecked, making proper cleanup crucial.

Water Removal and Sanitation After Flooding

Debris won’t be your only concern post-flooding. Speaking of mold and mildew, remember that the uninsured cost of cleanup may be far more than simply removing debris and replacing flooring.

Stagnant or polluted water encroachment during a natural disaster may require sanitization or complete replacement to avoid the spread of deadly mold or bacteria. Those can be very pricey procedures without the cushion of flood insurance coverage.

Flood Insurance is Affordable

It’s extremely affordable, especially in comparison to being uninsured. While finding discounts and opportunities to save on homeowner’s insurance is a smart goal, the affordability of flood insurance for low-to-moderate risk homeowners makes it a must.

That being said, be sure to discuss what is and isn’t covered with your insurance agent in detail; most flood insurance policies only cover natural disaster-spurred water encroachment, as opposed to burst pipes or sewer problems.

Flood Insurance Coverage

Flood insurance coverage can incorporate your personal belongings as well as structural damage. Flood damage to floors, walls, and other structural elements is only part of the devastation caused by flooding.

A flood insurance policy can also be written to cover the repair or replacement of personal goods in the event of water intrusion or flooding. Be aware that there will usually be stipulations in regards to heirlooms or items of personal significance. The value of these items – photographs, artwork, etc. – can be discussed and agreed upon when initially creating your policy.

Just like other forms of supplementary insurance, flood insurance offers a layer of protection for your home that stands up to even the worst natural disasters. While excellent construction and preparation can’t turn back a hurricane, this important policy type could be the one tool that keeps unexpected floods from soaking your wallet.

4 Ways to Lower Your Skin Cancer Risk

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May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Here are 4 ways you can help to lower your risk of skin cancer while enjoying the sun safely.

Skin cancer awarenessWarm spring weather is the perfect antidote to the cabin fever that winter often inspires, especially the idea of getting some sun on your face. Though getting some fresh air is a good idea, too much of a good thing can be bad as well, which is why skin cancer risk awareness is so important. 

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. When you’re smart about sun protection and know common skin cancer “red flags,” you’ll be able to enjoy the great outdoors worry-free this season. 

Here are four ways to lower your risk of skin cancer: 

Start with Sunblock

Sunblock isn’t only for beach outings – it’s an excellent first line of defense for your skin when it comes to ultraviolet light exposure. 

Find a lightweight, everyday lotion with an SPF, or sun protection factor, of at least 30 to keep yourself safe, even on cloudy or overcast days. Of course, if you’re planning on more prolonged or intense sun exposure, bump up the SPF number to a product that offers more protection. Whichever sunblock or cream you select, make sure the bottle notes that it shields against both UVA and UVB rays for the most comprehensive results.

An important note: if you’re planning on going in the ocean, a lake, or in an outdoor pool, be sure to reapply sunscreen every 20 minutes to keep consistent coverage on your skin. 

Layer Up 

No one likes to feel warm when the weather’s already oppressive, but be selective with how much skin you bare to the sun, whenever possible. Long sleeves, clothing with opaque fabric (or, better yet, SPF-rated fabric), cover-ups, and UV-blocking sunglasses all enhance your sunblock’s healthy efforts. 

Stay under awnings or invest in a UV-rated umbrella and use it – even if the skies are clear – like a parasol on longer walks to put protective layers between you and the damaging effects of UV rays over time.

Avoid Sunbathing and Artificial Exposure

Purposely sunbathing, laying out to expose your skin and achieve a suntan, is one of the most harmful things you can do to your skin. It not only increases your risk of developing skin cancer when you make it a habit, but it also dries and prematurely ages your skin, bringing on wrinkles and age spots. 

The same negative effects occur while tanning in the intense UV lighting of tanning beds, which may actually have an even more detrimental effect on the health of your skin.  While a golden tan might seem like an attractive accessory at the moment, remember that the damage you’ll be doing to your skin tells a far different, and far more permanent, story. 

Know How to Check Your Own Skin

Skin cancer, or melanoma, is insidious because it often looks like a harmless mole or a freckle. It’s important to be familiar with the appearance of any marks on your skin, as frequent self-checks will alert you to any changes in size, color, or shape. 

If a mark appears rapidly, grows larger than the eraser of a pencil, or has an asymmetrical (non-matching) shape, it’s a smart idea to get it examined as soon as possible by a dermatologist. Caught early, many skin cancer appearances can be treated quickly and easily, ensuring they don’t have a chance to spread.

More than 5 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the United States alone. Use these tips to avoid unnecessary exposure and safeguard your skin health – it will make that first day of spring sunshine feel that much better.