Trampolines and Insurance
Being the child of an insurance agent can’t be fun. There are dangers lurking around every corner. Last year, our daughter Olivia begged Santa for a motorized scooter. Matt (aka the fun spoiler) said, “No! Those aren’t covered by off premise liability.” This Spring, Grandpa Wayne wanted to buy her a cool, ridiculously large 4-wheeler. Guess who did not get the 4-wheeler.
And just when she thought it couldn’t get worse, the American Academy of Pediatrics is backing dear old Dad on his extreme dislike for trampolines. Trampolines! They seem so safe now. They aren’t like the rusty trampolines from when I was a kid (wait – does that statement make me seem old?!?!). They have safety nets, and padded sides – they must be safe.
Unfortunately, an updated report by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) cautions against home trampoline use, and provides updated data on the number of and types of injuries caused by trampolines. They state that an estimated 98,000 trampoline-related injuries in the U.S. each year, resulting in approximately 3,100 hospitalizations.
This, of course, is seriously reviewed by all Insurance providers, since trampolines are viewed as a hazard. There are three ways in which your Homeowners Insurance Policy will cover trampolines (Of course, discuss this with your licensed Insurance agent to make certain - if you have a trampoline - that you are properly covered):
1) No Exclusion - This means that an insurance company doesn't place any restrictions on trampoline ownership or usage in accordance with your Homeowner's Insurance Policy.
2) Coverage with Safety Precautions - An insurance company may include coverage if you have pads to cover the trampoline springs, a net enclosure for the sides, and/or a fenced-in yard with a gate and working lock.
3) A Trampoline Exclusion - Some Homeowner's Insurance Policies may not cover trampolines at all. That means if you, your kids, or the neighborhood kids get injured on the trampoline, the insurance company is not liable for those trampoline-related claims. It may also mean that adding a trampoline results in non-renewal of your current policy.
As always, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at #815-485-6676 with any questions or comments. We always love to hear from you.
The Langlois Insurance Agency Team of Professionals
Dr. Ken Brookwether
8:52 am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
So, why bother having insurance if the weasels don't cover common articles? Insurance is a scam.
lala
4:54 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Since when is a trampoline common?
Leroy
6:05 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
If you drive through most any neighborhood in NL you will see 2-3 trampolines. That is what is meant by common, I'm assuming.
Same if you go to target- they sell motorized scooters- also common in many garages in NL.
Now, look around town and see if you can spot any catapults or trebuchets. These are what most people would call 'uncommon'.
lala
7:14 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
I must live on the wrong side of town. I live on a long street and I can only think of two homes that have them. Motorized scooters = lazy kids! I would not mind having a trebuchets or two!
Leroy
7:54 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Like I said- 2 homes on every street has them. 25 homes on the street means 8% of the people have them ie common. I'm sure that those that have them think their homeowners insurance covers these common items.
Motorized scooters are for kids who play outside. lazy kids stay inside and watch tv/computer. Motorized scooters are a great prelude to a car. They are great to zip around on after baseball or basketball practice. I'm sure their folks think they are covered by their expensive insurance.
Insurance is sold by scaring people. It started out well enough as the widows and orphans fund for firefighters and such, but has been bastardized into stock speculation and land speculation. Think AIG- the company we all bailed out and the money went mostly overseas.
Langlois Insurance Agency
2:52 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012
Thank you so much for the above comments on Langlois Insurance’s Blog post. I agree that children enjoy jumping on trampolines and they can be a lot of fun – I loved them when I was a kid. But, what makes them so dangerous is that when most (not all) trampolines are in use, there are multiple kids on the trampoline at the same time. And, once a child is launched into the air, they have no control over their body. Therefore, when a 150lb kid is launched 5-10 ft in the air and comes crashing down on someone under him and/or falls off the side, someone is – unfortunately - going to get hurt. And, this is why the American Academy of Pediatrics (the leading health organization for children) recommends that no child should be on a trampoline unless it is in a controlled setting (ex. a gymnastics studio).
The insurance companies’ job is to not only pay out claims, but it is to also manage/minimize the risk of having those claims. We call this risk management and the overall goal is to help keep insurance costs/premiums down for everyone. This is why many insurance companies see trampolines as a liability on a Homeowners Insurance Policy.