Swimming Pool Contractor Coverage

Over our more than 50 years in business, the team at Hitchings Insurance Agency has refined and developed an insurance program for swimming pool contractors. Whether you are constructing commercial, recreational, infinity, or lap pools in a variety of materials from fiberglass to concrete, we have developed an insurance plan around your business! We know that not all swimming pool contractors are the same. Some do the excavation, while others do the hardscape installation. Additionally, there are some doing the commercial hauling of the pool and materials from the factory to the jobsites. We understand each business is unique. We have a coverage solution for almost any combination of risks you can throw at us for swimming pool contractors, repairs, installers, and value-added retailers.

We love the swimming pool industry! What could be better than getting to turn your customers’ backyards and sites from a dream into a reality? The smiles and memories you create are priceless, but they do carry a risk and an exposure that you need to consider covering with a comprehensive insurance plan. We offer swimming pool contractor insurance plans that cover all sorts of risks and help protect your bottom line. We can provide a cleaner package that is extremely competitive in the marketplace. We will offer increased coverages and complex endorsements when available.

The Unique Risks of Swimming Pool Contractors

Your profession carries a unique set of liabilities that can haunt you long after a project is complete.

• Property Damage: This is a constant risk from the moment you break ground. A stray piece of equipment could damage a client’s landscaping, a concrete spill could ruin a driveway, or excavation could impact a neighboring property’s foundation.
• Bodily Injury on the Job Site: The construction of a pool is a dynamic and dangerous environment. A visitor, a delivery person, or even a child wandering onto a non-secure site could suffer an injury, leading to a costly claim against your business.
• Defective Workmanship and Water Damage: Your work must be flawless. A single structural defect or a small leak in the plumbing can lead to major water damage to a client’s home or property years down the road. This is a primary risk that requires specific coverage.
• Completed Operations Liability: This is arguably the most critical and specialized risk for pool contractors. Your liability doesn’t end when the project is done and the pool is filled. If a client is injured months or years later due to an alleged defect in the construction (e.g., a deck is improperly installed, a drain cover is not up to code), your business can still be held responsible.
• Chemical Handling and Storage: The chemicals required for pool maintenance can be hazardous. Improper handling or storage can lead to spills that damage property or cause bodily injury.
• Theft and Damage to Tools: Your specialized tools and equipment, from excavators and concrete pumps to smaller hand tools, are expensive and mobile. They are a prime target for theft and are susceptible to damage while in transit or at an unsecured job site.

Essential Insurance Coverages for Pool Contractors

A robust insurance program for a pool contractor is a carefully crafted shield that includes a variety of specialized coverages.

1. Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance:
   • This is the cornerstone of your protection. It covers claims of bodily injury or property damage to third parties arising from your daily operations. Most importantly, your CGL policy is where you will find Completed Operations Coverage, which is essential for protecting you from claims that arise after the work is finished.
2. Commercial Auto Insurance:
   • This is non-negotiable for any business that uses vehicles. It protects your company’s trucks and trailers from collisions, theft, and vandalism. It also provides liability coverage for any accidents your vehicles cause while transporting equipment and materials to and from job sites.
3. Workers’ Compensation Insurance:
   • Required by law in Ohio and most other states, this coverage provides medical benefits and wage replacement for your employees if they are injured on the job. Given the physical demands of pool construction, this is a critical safeguard for both your employees and your business.
4. Inland Marine Insurance (Tools & Equipment Floater):
   • This specialized policy is designed to protect your tools and equipment from theft, damage, and loss. It’s called a “floater” because the coverage follows your equipment wherever it goes—whether it’s on a job site, in transit, or stored in a warehouse.
5. Commercial Umbrella Insurance:
   • Given the high-liability nature of pool construction, a single catastrophic claim could exceed the limits of your primary CGL or Commercial Auto policies. A commercial umbrella policy provides an extra layer of liability protection, offering higher limits to protect your business from a devastating financial blow.
6. Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions) Insurance:
   • While not always required, this can be an important policy for pool contractors who also provide design or engineering consulting. It covers claims alleging negligence or errors in your professional advice.

Proactive Risk Mitigation Strategies

Beyond insurance, proactive safety and operational practices are your best defense against a claim.

1. Strict Job Site Safety:
   • Maintain a clean and organized work environment.
   • Secure the site with clear signage and barriers to prevent unauthorized access by children or visitors.
   • Ensure all employees are trained on safety protocols, including proper lifting techniques and the safe handling of heavy machinery.
2. Use Detailed Contracts:
   • Have a clear, detailed, and legally sound contract for every project.
   • Specify the scope of work, materials, timeline, and payment schedule to prevent disputes.
   • Include clauses about project changes and client responsibilities.
3. Thorough Documentation:
   • Before and after every phase of a project, take extensive photos and videos.
   • Document the delivery of materials, the condition of the job site, and the completion of each task. This creates a valuable record to defend against future claims.
4. Subcontractor Management:
   • If you use subcontractors for any part of the project (e.g., electrical, concrete), always require them to provide a current Certificate of Insurance (COI) to prove they have their own adequate coverage.

We understand how busy and hectic it can be running and operating a business.  The insurance process should be straightforward, and as an agency team, we strive to make the insurance process as simple as possible. Click here to get started. We have industry expertise in your niche business. Let us help protect what matters most!

Meet Our Pool Insurance Professional

Find something you enjoy working on and people you enjoy working with – dive in and learn as much about their business as possible. Bela Sandor is no stranger to great customer service and building quality relationships. He has taken on the challenge of being the go-to coverage expert for all things pool contract-related for our specialized program, expanding into multiple states. We understand that you are the contractor, and you are the expert in pools. Bela knows how to protect that process of turning dreams into reality.