Depending on what caused the freezing, homeowners insurance may cover a frozen hot tub. You will not be covered if water in the pipes to your hot tub, or in the tub itself, froze and damaged your tub as a consequence of your negligence or error.
Does homeowners insurance cover frozen pools?
If your pool is damaged by one of the dangers covered by your homeowners insurance policy, it is usually covered. Keep in mind that homeowners policies do not cover damage caused by frozen water in your pool, so be sure to drain it at the end of each season.
What happens if my hot tub freezes?
The wet end of the pump, spa piping, spa packs, and other equipment are most likely to freeze. The heater body, the filter body, the cylinder that houses the filter cartridge, and the pump are the most likely to crack as a result of any expansion induced by frozen ice. A clean break in a pipe is uncommon.
Is frozen hot tub covered by insurance?
Depending on what caused the freezing, homeowners insurance may cover a frozen hot tub. “Freezing of a plumbing, heating, or air conditioning system” is covered by many insurance. If your insurer deems that your hot tub connection is covered by this policy, they may be able to assist you with the costs.
Is a hot tub covered under homeowners insurance?
If you make any improvements, additions, or modifications to your house, you should review your home insurance to see if it still matches your needs. When it comes to constructing a pool or a hot tub in your house, there are a few things to think about. What circumstances does your homeowner’s insurance cover? What can you do to improve your coverage based on your circumstances?
Home insurance coverage
You need a home insurance coverage as soon as your house is built that is suited to your needs and adequately protects you in the event of damage. This insurance is beneficial because it protects you if any of your belongings are damaged or stolen, regardless of the cause* or perpetrator of the loss, and it also protects any visitors to your house from injury or property damage. Pools and hot tubs, on the other hand, have their own set of rules.
Water damage
Drowning, water damage from overflows, and connection issues are the most common concerns associated with swimming pools and hot tubs. Your home insurance coverage will cover any water damage caused by your pool or hot tub.
Injuries or property damage to a third party are also covered. Your house insurance third-party liability policy, for example, will protect you if your pool structure fractures and the water spills onto your neighbor’s land, causing water damage to their home. Your house insurance third-party liability policy will give appropriate protection if the overflow damages your neighbor’s home or your neighbor trips and falls or suffers any other form of bodily injury or property damage.
Damage to in-ground pools
Some house insurance plans cover damage to in-ground pools automatically, while others only cover you if you add the proper endorsement to your policy. That’s why you should notify your insurer as soon as possible if you have this type of pool so they can explain the different types of coverage you could require. Most sorts of damage to your in-ground pool will be covered if your insurer tells you that your home insurance policy covers your pool without the requirement for an endorsement. If your house insurance doesn’t cover your in-ground pool, you’ll need to ask your insurer about getting an endorsement to cover any damage. If you don’t get an insurance endorsement for your pool, you won’t be covered if it gets damaged during the winter and early spring freeze-thaw cycles.
Damage to above-ground pools
Above-ground pools, unlike their in-ground counterparts, are never considered a vital feature of a structure. In order to collect compensation from your insurance provider if your pool is damaged, you must have an endorsement (subject to certain restrictions).
Inflatable pools and hot tubs are treated differently because they are not considered installed or built buildings, but rather purchases. These inflatable items are considered personal property. But what about the potential for water damage? Third-party liability coverage kicks in if the damage causes harm to a third party. If the insured is harmed by water, their house insurance policy will cover it, either under the building or property sections, depending on the policy.
Because home insurance provides extensive coverage, you might believe that additional pool or hot tub coverage would be sufficient. Home insurance, on the other hand, does not cover all of the hazards that your home may face. To be safe, inquire about the scope of your pool insurance coverage with your insurer.
Damage to hot tubs
In comparison to in-ground and above-ground pools, hot tubs are easier to maintain. Check with your agent to see if a particular insurance endorsement is required to cover damage to your hot tub. If this is the case, and you do not add the extra coverage to your policy, you will not be paid if your hot tub breaks for any reason.
Covered claims
Your endorsement should, in general, cover damage to your pool or hot tub. The endorsement includes not just the pool or hot tub, but also any associated equipment, such as the heat pump or water heater, filter, and ladder. Covered is also a patio designed exclusively for the pool but not related to the home.
Endorsement exclusions
You must be aware of the limitations of your endorsement. Damage due to slow deterioration and improper craftsmanship, as well as damage caused by poor quality materials, natural ground movement, and vermin, are all excluded. As a result, you must take proper care of your pool or hot tub and adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines for opening and closing it.
What is a covered peril in insurance?
Perils (Explained Perils) (Glossary Word) A source of loss or a danger of loss. These can include fire, theft, or water damage in an insurance policy.
Does insurance cover pool damage?
Is Pool Damage Covered by Home Insurance? Yes. Damages to your pool and liability claims brought against you are normally covered by home insurance with a pool. When your pool is damaged by a covered risk, your homeowners insurance will pay to repair or replace it.
How do you unfreeze a frozen hot tub?
Winter is on its way! And, with El Nino on the way, it could be a very cold and snowy winter. That’s probably fantastic for spa component salespeople, because it means a lot more frozen spas and hot tubs.
But hang in there: as long as your spa is running, at least at low speed, with all valves/lines open and the water isn’t allowed to freeze across the surface, you won’t have to worry about freeze damage to your hot tub or spa.
When the outside air temperature hits 40 degrees, most digital spa controls automatically activate the pump. Some will even turn on the heater if the water temperature goes too low. However, many air controllers, as well as simple hot tubs and inground spas, lack freeze protection.
WAYS TO PREVENT SPA FREEZE DAMAGE:
- There’s an app for that! Set a temperature alert on your phone. Rather than relying on the weather forecast, you can use one of the many apps that will notify you (through smartphone) when temperatures are projected to fall below a certain threshold. Then check to see if the spa is hot and running.
- Install a Digital Spa Pack with Freeze Protection: As previously stated, you may not have built-in freeze protection if you have Air Controls or an inground spa. When low outside temperatures are detected, your system can automatically turn on the pump by upgrading to a digital spa pack or installing a digital timeclock for inground spas.
- Keep the Spa Hot During the Winter: Keeping your spa hot throughout the winter will provide you with the most amount of time in the event of a power loss. During a power outage, a spa kept at 100 degrees and tightly covered can keep its heat for 24-36 hours. In just one hour of not circulating, an unheated spa with very low temperatures can freeze solid.
- Keep your Spa Cover Tightly in Place: It’s so chilly in some regions of the country… “Can you tell me how cold it is, Johnny?” – It’s so cold… that even leaving a spa cover off for a few hours can cause the water in the spa to become slushy… Anyone for a daiquiri?
STEPS TO UNFREEZE A FROZEN HOT TUB:
Get the blankets and hot water! The hot tub is frozen solid, so we’re not having a baby! If you notice ice on the surface of your hot tub or spa and it isn’t working,…
1. If the pumps are not moving water, turn off the power until all of the ice has melted.
2. Break through the ice on the surface with a hose or buckets of hot water from the bathtub.
-You can link a hose to some utility sinks, or you can connect it to the drain on your hot water heater.
3. Examine the pump, filter, heater, and pipes for cracks using a utility light or a large flashlight.
4. Use a heat gun or a small ceramic heater that you can watch under the spa cabinet.
-Connect to a GFCI outlet. Raising it off the ground and keeping it away from insulation and wires is a good idea.
5. If necessary, use heavy blankets to help keep the heat in under the spa.
IDENTIFYING FREEZE DAMAGE:
The heater body, which is commonly a stainless steel cylinder mounted horizontally, or the filter body or lid, which is a vertical plastic cylinder that houses the filter cartridge, or the pump body or lid, suffer the most breaking or damage from ice expansion. Pipes tend to spider-web crack rather than split cleanly, although they shatter over extended distances or through fittings.
Don’t be startled if condensation drips from the spa as it warms up from the heat beneath and the hot water above. However, you may have faulty equipment or a broken pipe if you have flowing water (not steady drips). After determining that hot tub parts are required, drain the spa fully by opening any drain valves or plugs and blowing out pipes and equipment with air.
How do you unfreeze a hot tub?
If the surface of the water in your tub is solid, use a sharp object to crack it open in the center. Pour hot water through the hole you’ve created, whether with a hose from your kitchen sink or huge containers, to bring the temperature of the water back up. Drain the tub fully with a shop vac while everything continues to melt. Finally, you’ll need to empty your system to ensure it’s completely dry.
At what temperature will a hot tub freeze?
Don’t be alarmed if your hot tub loses heat during the harsh winter months. To start freezing a Fully-Foamed hot tub, the temperature must be below 28 degrees F for at least 36 hours. Even if it gets that cold, if your hot tub and pumps are still running, the water will not freeze because it is circulating.
Freeze damage to a hot tub is expensive to repair, therefore to keep your non-heating hot tub from freezing throughout the winter, follow these simple guidelines put together by George Thomas, our service manager and one of the smartest in the industry:
Protect a Hot Tub from Freezing
- Run the jet pumps to circulate the water on a regular basis. Your water will become hotter as a result of the heat generated by the pump motors. (If your jets aren’t working, move on to step #3.)
- Place a submersible pump in the center of your spa’s foot well (See image below). Connect the pump to the spa and turn it on without a hose. This will circulate the water in the spa and transfer the heat produced by the pump motor to the water. NOTE: The pump should be made of plastic and should not be less than 1/4 horsepower!
- In the equipment section of your hot tub, place a tiny ceramic heater or a 100 watt incandescent light bulb, making that the heater or bulb does not touch any components or plumbing. To keep the heat inside, reinstall the front panel. NOTE: On SUNDANCE SPAS this is to be fitted behind Front Right Side Equipment door Not Center Panel.
Is it worth moving a hot tub?
The following are some common dilemmas that homeowners encounter when deciding whether or not to take their hot tub with them when they move:
- If I accept it, I will spend time and money loading the huge tub onto a large truck and hauling it away (whether I hire a moving professional or do it myself), but I will not have to buy a new one for my new home.
- If I leave it alone, it may help me sell my house faster and for a higher price; however, the extra profit from the sale may not be enough to cover the expense of a new tub for the new house.
- A hot tub is frequently cited as a major selling element for a home. If you think the extra amenity will help you sell your property, it’s probably a better economical decision to leave it.
- Hiring expert hot-tub movers does not guarantee a hassle-free experience. Even with hired professionals, many homeowners will get physically involved in the task. Moving it yourself entails enlisting the assistance of friends and paying for the rental of a huge trailer, which may or may not be worthwhile.
- You’re getting away from me. A long-distance move entails a lot of mileage charges and proper transportation packaging, so make sure you understand all of the costs before making your selection.
- With your relocation, you’re either downsizing or upgrading. Your current tub may or may not be a good fit for your new home in terms of size, dimensions, and features. This could be the ideal time to transition from an in-ground to a portable hot tub, or vice versa.
- Your hot tub is old, undersized, or in poor working order. It’s possible that an older or smaller hot tub, or one that hasn’t been well kept, isn’t worth removing or abandoning. It is unlikely that prospective buyers will consider it a “added feature” of your house, and it may even be considered a “eyesore.” If all it needs is a new enclosure or cover, though, it might be worth it. If it’s not worth taking or leaving, it’s probably best to get rid of it before selling your house.
The best choice is one that strikes a balance between your personal and financial demands and preferences. Make two lists: one with all the reasons you can think of to use your hot tub, and the other with all the reasons you can think of to not use it. Whichever list is longer is most likely to assist you in making a decision.