A trampoline may appear to be a fun addition to your garden, but it has significant concerns. According to a 2022 Pediatric Emergency Care research, tens of thousands of children are injured annually on trampolines.

If a neighbor's child falls off your trampoline and their parents sue, can your home's insurance provider assist you in defending yourself?

Before you go out and get that new toy, consider how a trampoline can affect your homes insurance.

Is Trampolines Covered By Homes Insurance?

Many insurers regard a trampoline as an "attractive nuisance," which implies that youngsters will most likely attempt to use it without fully knowing the hazards. It also implies you might be held accountable if a youngster is injured while using your trampoline without your consent.

Home insurers see backyard trampolines differently. NerdWallet asked a dozen big insurers how trampolines are covered, and the eight answers demonstrated how dramatically coverage regulations might differ.

The following may apply depending on the firm and where you live:

•Your trampoline will be covered by your insurance as part of a regular policy at no additional cost.

•The firm will insure your trampoline if it satisfies specific safety standards.

•Your premium may rise.

•The employer may not even offer you a policy.

Don't take it personally if an insurance refuses to cover you because you have a trampoline. According to Will Lemanski, an independent insurance agent in Michigan who works with many big insurers, it's usually due to the company's history with trampolines and overall risk tolerance, rather than your individual case.

What Should Homeowners Do To Ensure Their Protection?

According to Amy Bach, executive director of United Policyholders, an organization that advocates for individuals with insurance, the only way to know for sure if you're insured is to ask your insurer directly. Ideally, you should inquire before purchasing the trampoline.

You should find out "if your [home] insurance coverage would provide you with a defense if someone sued you for a trampoline injury," she advises.

Even if your trampoline is insured when you initially purchase it, Bach advises staying up to date on your insurance company's policies. Your insurance coverage for trampolines may alter over time.

It's usually in your best advantage to ask your insurance, even if it means paying higher rates or switching to a different insurer. The cost of your insurer refusing to pay a trampoline liability claim would almost certainly outweigh any costs associated with altering your coverage.

Lemanski also recommends raising your personal liability limit and purchasing personal umbrella insurance. A personal umbrella policy extends the liability coverage of your underlying homeowners policy, with high limits that frequently begin at $1 million.

How Can Homeowners Protect Themselves From Trampoline Lawsuits?

The greatest approach to guarantee you're insured is to avoid an accident in the first place. Lemanski advises trampoline owners to take as many safeguards as possible, such as:

•Installing netting around the trampoline to limit the possibility of someone falling off.

•The trampoline should be placed away from concrete and fences.

•Making certain you know who is on it. "Don't allow eight of your neighborhood kids to play on it with your kid because it's a recipe for disaster," Lemanski advises.