Category: Umbrella Insurance

attractive nuisance trampoline

4 “Attractive Nuisances” That Get You in Hot Water

April 29, 2016

As a homeowner, sometimes there are just certain things you absolutely must have. Maybe it’s the solar panels on your roof. It could be the sky lighting in your loft. The beauty of owning your home is that you can finally have the things you want in your home.

However, some things may not be worth the trouble, expense, or potential liability. These are known as “attractive nuisances.”

What is an Attractive Nuisance?

This is any item located on your property that could be both potentially dangerous to a child while at the same time be very inviting to them. These are things they want to play with or get on top of (or get inside of) that could cause bodily injury or even death.

In order for something to be considered an “attractive nuisance” by the legal definition, certain criteria must be met:

  • As the property owner, you must possess the knowledge that there’s a chance children could trespass on your property.
  • The object could cause injury or death.
  • The children are too young to understand the danger.
  • The cost to repair or maintain the object is small when compared to the risk is poses.
  • You didn’t take the reasonable and necessary action to eliminate the object if repair or maintenance was no longer an option.

Take a look at four attractive nuisances that can cost far more than they’re worth.

Pools

Every summer there’s a story about a child who wanders into a backyard and falls or jumps into a pool and drowns. The stories are tragic. There’s a good chance the owners will be found responsible and the pool will be deemed an attractive nuisance. Most insurance carriers won’t cover a pool unless you have a locked gate around it at all times. Better still, keep it covered.

Trampolines

Make sure there’s a full net around your trampoline and it’s set up properly and securely. With a trampoline, you’ll have to be vigilant about watching to make sure no curious kids wander into your yard to bounce on it. Consider a locked fence around your yard for added security.

Swing Sets

No kid can resist a swing set. The words “Watch me go higher!” may seem fun and remind you of your own youth, but this is a homeowner’s nightmare. Keep an eye on your yard to make sure no one trespasses to get a quick session on the swing in. Maintain the swings so that they’re as safe as possible. When your children outgrow it, take it down so it doesn’t entice other children to wander in and play.

Water Features

Most water features, like ponds, are made to look natural. Because they’re not, they’re deemed attractive nuisances. A child may dive headfirst without thinking about it, but you’ll be the one at fault. Put up signs, lock your gate, and be diligent about watching that area to make sure no one goes running through the water unsupervised.

If you can’t live without one or more of these attractive nuisances, increase your liability coverage, add an umbrella policy to cover what your homeowner’s policy doesn’t, and be extra watchful over those areas of your home. You’ll need to keep an eye out for the potential danger, every day, all year long.

If you need additional coverage or have questions about your current policy, give us a call. We’ll be happy to help you find the right coverage for your home.

a group of umbrellas being used to represent a Massachusetts umbrella insurance policy

Do I Really Need an Umbrella Insurance Policy?

March 30, 2016

Last summer, your themed pool party was the highlight of the neighborhood, at least until the guy from two doors down fell off the deck and landed hard. Everyone agrees that it was his own fault. He obviously had one too many drinks, and once you made sure he was fine, the rest of the party was back in full swing.

You’re thinking of making it an annual event until you receive a notice that your neighbor is suing you. Will he win and how much will it be? Is your insurance going to cover the amount?

If you face a situation like this one or something similar, and you lose the lawsuit, the settlement could be close to $2 million. For most people, their insurance doesn’t cover an amount that large. Do you know what to do?

What is an Umbrella Policy?

A personal umbrella policy (PUP) is additional liability coverage over and above your home or auto insurance policy. For your standard insurance policies, and even your add-on policies, you selected liability limits. When you file a claim, your insurance company will only pay up to those limits. If the total amount due is higher than your limit, you’ll be responsible for the difference.

Imagine an auto accident with a serious injury or even a fatality – and you were the one responsible for it. It’s possible that the family will sue for lost wages, emotional distress, medical expenses, and more. Considering most people with decent auto insurance have policies with limits of $100,000 to $300,000, can you afford the costs associated with a huge lawsuit? Most people can’t.

An umbrella insurance policy kicks in after your insurance has been exhausted and pays the difference up to the limits you select for your policy. On average, an additional $1 million in coverage under this policy could run you as little as $200 per year.

What Else Does an Umbrella Policy Cover?

You’ll be covered for more than the hard-to-predict lawsuits that come from injuries in your home or on the road. There are plenty of issues your standard homeowner’s insurance policy isn’t going to cover. Mold, sewage backup, earthquake, hurricanes, and more aren’t included in a standard policy, and even if you add on additional coverage, it may not be enough.

Umbrella insurance also helps when the unexpected happens. Did you go on vacation in another state or even out of country and have an accident? Just being far from home makes it a more expensive claim. Did you say some things you probably shouldn’t have on social media about your neighbor? If you get sued for defamation of character or slander, your umbrella policy can help.

Don’t leave the future of you and your family to chance. Lawsuits can happen for almost any reason these days, and it’s not just what you have in your bank account that’s at risk. Your home, retirement, and investments may be used to pay a settlement.

But there’s a better way.

If you’re ready to discuss umbrella insurance policies or get a quote for a new policy, we can help.