This is why you never drain your pool

[joboo7777]

Being a new pool owner I never really understood how a drained pool can just "pop" out of the ground....until I saw this picture. Yikes!

lol..see the hose in the water? looks like they started to refill the pool a little too late!

 

[PoolGate]

Dang! Well, it is a good way to get insurance to buy you a new pool.

 

[ajw22]

You know what area that popped pool is located in?

 

[zea3]

Dang! Well, it is a good way to get insurance to buy you a new pool.

Only if a pool company did this. If you tried to DIY something and this was the result you probably don't have a claim.

 

[PoolGate]

Only if a pool company did this. If you tried to DIY something and this was the result you probably don't have a claim.

This would be a covered event as long as there is no specific exclusion for the pool. Incompetence doesn't eliminate an insurance company's obligation to cover a loss.

 

[ajw22]

This would be a covered event as long as there is no specific exclusion for the pool. Incompetence doesn't eliminate an insurance company's obligation to cover a loss.

I think the answer is - it depends on your specific policy coverage.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Pool Damage? | Travelers Insurance

In general, if your pool is damaged by a covered peril, it will be covered under your homeowners insurance policy.

www.travelers.com

damage due to poor maintenance or standard wear and tear of your pool is not covered by your policy. Coverages vary by state, so be sure to check your policy for specific details.

https://www.allstate.com/tr/home-insurance/swimming-pool-insurance.aspx

Permanently installed above-ground pools and most in-ground pools are generally covered by the other structures coverage in a homeowners policy, while portable-style, above-ground pools that you could take with you if you move are usually covered by personal property coverage.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Jo,

While it does happen, it is rare occurrence.. Thousands of gunite pools are re-plastered every year and that means the pool has to be completed drained.

It makes sense that you pay attention to your local water table, and if worried that you dig some test holes to see if you have a problem or not.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[PoolGate]

I think the answer is - it depends on your specific policy coverage.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Pool Damage? | Travelers Insurance

In general, if your pool is damaged by a covered peril, it will be covered under your homeowners insurance policy.

www.travelers.com

damage due to poor maintenance or standard wear and tear of your pool is not covered by your policy. Coverages vary by state, so be sure to check your policy for specific details.

https://www.allstate.com/tr/home-insurance/swimming-pool-insurance.aspx

Permanently installed above-ground pools and most in-ground pools are generally covered by the other structures coverage in a homeowners policy, while portable-style, above-ground pools that you could take with you if you move are usually covered by personal property coverage.

This says that maintenance issues are not covered, just like every other maintenance item in your house. That is a standard policy exclusion. Sudden and catastrophic events like this are AWAYS covered (again, with the caveat that the pool is a covered structure in your policy). Draining the pool and having it pop out of the ground would never fall under a lack of maintenance exclusion.

 

[ajw22]

Thousands of gunite pools are re-plastered every year and that means the pool has to be completed drained.

Pool companies doing re-plastering work usually know the area they work in and the draining risks involved. The hydrostatic valve is often opened or holes are drilled in the bottom of the pool to relieve water pressure on the pool shell if the pool will sit empty for any length of time.

It makes sense that you pay attention to your local water table, and if worried that you dig some test holes to see if you have a problem or not.

And pay attention to the weather. A big storm can raise the water table rapidly

 

[sktn77a]

Anything resulting from rain/flooding/water table issues usually needs a specific rider to be covered. Otherwise you're SOL.

 

[joboo7777]

You know what area that popped pool is located in?

Not sure. This pic came from one of the those Yahoo slideshows. I think the title of the slideshow was Worst Pool designs or something like that.

I suspect this event was a result of homeowner actions and not a pool service or company.

 

[JamesW]

My guess would be Florida.

You need at least one open well near the pool to monitor the ground water and pump it out if necessary.

 

[Woodstock1234]

A popped pool will generally not be covered by insurance. The cause of a popped pool is water and hydrostatic pressure. In insurance, coverage is based on the cause of the loss. The cause of this loss is not the draining of the water. Most policies will exclude on the basis of water/flooding. But we never use the words "never" and "always" in the business

 

[joboo7777]

A popped pool will generally not be covered by insurance. The cause of a popped pool is water and hydrostatic pressure. In insurance, coverage is based on the cause of the loss. The cause of this loss is not the draining of the water. Most policies will exclude on the basis of water/flooding. But we never use the words "never" and "always" in the business

Hmm.. makes me want to re-evaluate my insurance policy. If I call my insurance company would they be able to outline which causes they would cover related to pool damage?

 

[PoolGate]

Hmm.. makes me want to re-evaluate my insurance policy. If I call my insurance company would they be able to outline which causes they would cover related to pool damage?

This would be interesting to find out and they should. But this may be a question for their underwriting to answer specifically and not the regular rank and file.

 

[JamesW]

I never really understood how a drained pool can just "pop" out of the ground.

Same principle as an aircraft carrier.

The amount of water displaced determines the amount of lift the pool experiences.

 

[PoolGate]

Same principle as an aircraft carrier.

The amount of water displaced determines the amount of lift the pool experiences.

But how would you determine the amount of water displaced on a pool? It would be more than the volume to fill it, right?

 

[AK-]

But how would you determine the amount of water displaced on a pool? It would be more than the volume to fill it, right?

It would be the volume of the whole pool measured from outside walls, but only what is under the water table. Much easier said than done.

 

[Woodstock1234]

Hmm.. makes me want to re-evaluate my insurance policy. If I call my insurance company would they be able to outline which causes they would cover related to pool damage?

It is a difficult question. People ask al the time, what does my policy cover? If it were an easy answer, the policy would not be 50 to 100 pages. They will be able to give you an outline, but it doesn't mean much. The question is, what is the cause of the loss and most people don't know when it's a hypothetical.
People will say, "I have a crack in my ceiling, is it covered?" What caused it? "I don't know".
With a lot of cases, an engineer is sent out to determine cause of loss. When the cause is determined, then coverage can be applied or declined.

But whenever you ask a question, get the answer in writing. You will have more ammunition if you need to rely on it.

 

[AK-]

Keep in mind that if you take the risk of doing something knowing it could cause a covered event you may have your claim denied.