Port St. Lucie- It's summer and thoughts everywhere turn to water. In Florida, that often means swimming pools. "Swimming pools are popular but also present a risk to a homeowner," says Kathy Post, Owner and Agent of Post Insurance.

While homeowners are welcoming friends and family with a clear, clean pool, they're also assuming significant financial risks by doing so. What's more, homeowners can be found liable for injuries to uninvited guests including children in the neighborhood and intruders. "Above-ground pools often pose a higher risk and can be treated differently by your insurance company. It'simportant that you talk with your insurance agent to make sure you have coverage - especially if you buy one after your home policy is in effect," Post says.

Drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14 years, reported the American Red Cross. Its survey of more than 1,000 adults showed that more than 90% of families with young children plan to be in the water this summer, and almost half (48%) plan to swim in a place with no lifeguard. If that's on your property, be prepared.

"Insurance plays a key role in protectingthose who have pools on their property," says Post. Homeowners and liability insurance cover bodily injury and liability protection in the event of an injury or claim. Plus, insurance carriers, by virtue of inspecting or requiring compliance with building codes, can make a swimming pool safer.

Here are some things to know if you have a swimming pool:

Let your Trusted Choice ® insurance agent or insurance carrier know. Coverage is most likely to be provided if the structure and risks are known prior to a claim. Insurance carriers view pools as presenting a unique and heightened set of risks. Put simply, a swimming pool will increase the risk of property damage or a liability claim, as compared to a home without one.

Homeowners insurance may also offer liability coverage in the event a homeowner is hit with a claim or lawsuit as a result of an incident in or near the swimming pool. Friends and family who are injured in a pool accident may not want to sue, but may need to sue in order to pay medical bills and replace lost income.

Check the amount of your homeowners liability coverage. One claim can pierce a standard homeowners liability insurance limit, so check with your Trusted Choice ® insurance professional to discuss increasing the limit and/or adding an umbrella policy. An umbrella (or excess liability) policy pays up to a limit (usually $1 million) for claims.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control noted that drowning prevention requires appropriate adult supervision while children are in the water, as well as multiple layers of protection (such as four-sided isolation fencing, pool alarms, and locked gates) to keep children away from swimming pools.

This article is provided as a courtesy of Agent/Owner Kathy Post of Post Insurance & Financial, Inc. Founded in 1979, Post Insurance is a Trusted Choice agency serving St. Lucie County for almost 30 years. They are a team of professionals who understand the complexities of insurance but explain it to customers in 'plain old English.' They offer home, auto, business, and life insurance and are located in St. Lucie West. The agency is open from Monday through Friday, 8:30 - 5:00, but customers can request quotes 24/7 on their website at www.InsurewithPost.com.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace your policy contract language. For information on your specific insurance needs or situations, please contact your insurance agent or Post Insurance at 772-878-8184 or info@insurewithpost.com.

Source: Owner/Agent Kathy Post and TrustedChoice.com, June 2009