Trampolines can be a source of fun and exercise for families, but they also come with significant risks and potential insurance implications that many homeowners aren’t aware of.
Whether you're a parent, homeowner, or landlord, understanding how trampoline safety ties into your insurance coverage is crucial. Let’s jump into what you need to know.
Why Trampoline Safety Matters
Trampoline use can lead to many common injuries, including:
- Sprains and strains
- Concussions
- Broken bones
- Neck and spinal cord injuries
These injuries can result not only in physical pain, but also in medical expenses and, in some cases, lawsuits – especially if someone outside your household gets hurt on your trampoline.
Insurance 101: What You Need to Know
Trampolines and Homeowners Insurance
Because of the risks involved, insurers typically take one of three approaches:
- Exclusion: Some policies exclude trampolines entirely. Bodily injury and property damage claims arising out of, due to, or caused, in whole or in part by the use of any trampoline, are not covered under such policies.
- Conditional Coverage: Some insurers will provide coverage only if safety precautions are met (e.g., net enclosures, locking gates, or fencing).
- Full Coverage with Notification: A few insurers may cover trampoline-related incidents as long as the trampoline is disclosed when the policy is written or updated.
Always check your policy and consult your independent agent before installing a trampoline. Failure to disclose a trampoline on an insurance application could be a material misrepresentation, resulting in the rescission or cancellation of your insurance policy.
Liability Risks
If a visitor, like a neighborhood child, gets injured while using your trampoline, personal liability coverage may help protect you from legal costs and settlements, should there be a claim – but it may not apply if the trampoline is excluded from your policy or if safety requirements weren’t met.
Tips for Homeowners
To help minimize risks and potential liability, follow these trampoline safety best practices:
- Use a trampoline net to help prevent falls.
- Cover springs and frames with protective padding.
- Always have adult supervision, especially when children are jumping.
- Limit use to one person at a time to reduce collision risk.
- Regularly check for tears, rust, and loose bolts.
- Avoid flips and somersaults – these are a leading cause of neck and spinal injuries.
- Use fencing or a locking gate to help prevent unauthorized access.
Trampolines can be a fun addition to your backyard – but only when used responsibly. The more you understand the coverage and risks, the better prepared you’ll be to help protect your home, your finances, and your loved ones.
For more information about personal liability coverage and home insurance options, contact your independent insurance agent.
This information and any attachments or links are provided solely as an insurance risk management tool. They are derived from information believed to be accurate. Utica Mutual Insurance Company and the other member insurance companies of the Utica National Insurance Group (“Utica National”) are not providing professional services. Utica National shall have no liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damages alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly, by the use of the information provided.
This summary represents an outline of coverage available from the companies of the Utica National Insurance Group (Utica Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates and subsidiaries, New Hartford, New York 13413). No coverage is provided by this summary. All coverages are individually underwritten. Coverage availability, terms, and conditions are dictated by the policy and may vary by state. In the event of a loss, the terms of the policy issued will determine the coverage provided. For questions on coverages, contact your independent agent.