can we talk about trampolines?

[aprilgail2]

Easiest thing t odo is ask your homeowners ins. company. My daughter wanted one and I took her to the insurance agent and asked them and they told me point blank that if they did a drive by and saw it or found out I had one my insurance would be cancelled on the spot. And if someone got hurt on it they would not cover it so I wojl be sued personally. Sure not worth the risk. If I did get one I would never allow anyone elses kid on it but my own!

 

[disneystacy]

We had a trampoline in our yard. I say had because our insurance became so expensive because of it that we took it down(that and we realized how dangerous it is). Our new policy is now cut in half. Old policy with trampoline was 1200.00, new policy is 600.00 a year.

If you decide not to tell your insurance company you have it and someone gets hurt on it you will not be covered. If they find out about it you will be dropped. Not to many insurance companies cover them.

Totally not worth it imo.

 

[barkley]

i suggest contacting your insurance company as well (prior to buying). at the time we considered it we learned that our homeowner's would not cover it (could'nt even buy a rider on it). we also learned that despite planning on putting it in locked/fenced yard it was considered an 'attractive nuisance' for kids and as such, even if someone came into our yard and used it without our permission we could be held liable.


and just as a heads up, in case you choose to get one absent homeowner's insurance: just b/c a parent gives permission for their child to use it, if that child is injured it does'nt waive your liability. most if not all health insurance policies have fine print that says if your covered dependant gets injured on someone else's property you give your insurer the right to try and recover damages-and that you can't as a policy holder waive that property owner's liability.

a friend found this out the hard way when their teen's friend was injured playing on their property. they knew they were'nt insured for that particular activity and they had gone to the extent of always personaly verbaly getting permission from a parent first.

kid got a MAJOR injury and his parents learned from THEIR insurer that the med pay would'nt cover anything if they did'nt fully co-operate with pursing the homeowner's. the parent's hands were tied-if they did'nt their child would'nt be covered to the tune of many tens of thousands of dollars.

people can have very good intentions of not holding you liable but when you are faced wih massive potentialy uncovered med bills it becomes a whole different situation (and as i posted recently on another thread re. insurance-those med bills can be insanely higher than you anticipate for even a 'minor' injury-dd took a minor tumble off a bike 5 years ago, the bill for the FIRST surgery was over $40,000-that did'nt include all the ortho. care, dental care and other associated expenses-absent med insurance that would cover it i don't know many if anyone that could come up with this kind of money within 48 hours of a child's injury).

 

[Mickey Fliers]

We just bought a house in Florida. When setting up the insurance, they specifically asked about trampolines. I was told that we would absolutely NOT be covered if we had a trampoline.

We don't have one, as I fell off a neighbor's tramp as a kid and really hurt myself. Lucky I didn't break my back. I agree they are fun, but I wouldn't take the risk and I am not normally a over-cautious parent. Take your DD to a gym if she wants to jump.

 

[Huggles]

Friends' child was on the tramp (alone) which was surrounded by safety netting. Having a great time until she kind of over balanced ( you know how they end up with arms flailing whilst still bouncing) and hit the safety netting. Unfortunately her front teeth caught in the netting as she yelped and they were ripped out of her mouth. Many years of expensive dental treatment ahead.

Now that folk are aware that multiples of kids should not be on the tramp at the one time, accidents have decreased ( some) but folk should still be aware that awkward landings can still cause injuries.

Don't risk your home insurance by hiding a tramp. They will find out and you may find it difficult ( if not impossible in some areas) to get anyone else to insure you.

 

[golfgal]

Here is another twist-some friends had their neighbor's trampoline blow into their deck during a wind storm and wrecked their deck. The neighbors now have a claim against them on their homeowners insurance for that.

 

[VillageMama]

I agree that trampolines are fun. But you know what else is similarly fun and appears to be safer? Bouncy houses... what we called Moonwalks, when I was a kid.

I think you can even get home versions, which come with an air pump. I've not priced them out but I wonder if they are comparable to a good trampoline?

I once measured our basement from floor to ceiling to see if we could fit a bouncy house down there, so the children could burn off steam all winter!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I had a friend who sunk hers in the ground. Insurance was okay with it for a while but then decided they weren't and they were asked to remove it or lose their homeowner's insurance.

In hurricane land where noone wants to insure--if you have anyone but the state insurance program, best not to tick them off.

I would think you would want to watch for recalls.

The few injuries that I have heard about over the years did not involve falls off of the trampoline, but rather accidents on the trampoline or getting caught in the springs.

My kids go to a gymnastics class and have fun on trampolines there. Bounce houses are fun as well.

The physics of trampolines is where most of the trouble starts.

 

[allison443]

My one friend puts a sprinkler underneath so the water shoots up, and the kids wear their bathing suits, and it is FUN. I was just trying to avoid asking each and every person that I know about their trampoline,/ins/etc. I thought I could come here and get good advice, but I know everyone on this board is really really cautious.

I'm sure you will think I am "really really cautious" but using a sprinkler while the kids are on the trampoline seems unsafe. I'm not an expert, but just using common sense, this would seem to make the surface very slippery, wouldn't it? I picked up my dd at a friend's house a few years back, when I went in the backyard the mom was squirting the kids with the hose while they jumped on the trampoline. Yeah, it wasn't too safe.

Anyway, here's the manufacturer's website saying a wet surface is too slippery to jump on safely.

http://www.jumpking.com/faq.htm#wet

I'm sure it is fun for kids to jump on a wet trampoline, but I guess you will make your own decision about allowing your kid to do that.

 

[SCHBR'smom]

My mil is buying my children a trampoline for Christmas. She is also spending WAY too much money on one, over $500. I'm not too thrilled with the idea, but no one asked me what I thought. I haven't checked with the insurance company, yet, and I'm dreading the call. It is up for renewal in Dec, so I'll probably do it all at the same time. I know the kids will love it. We actually did have one at our old house and no accidents. But we have a lot more kids now and the older ones are more likely to try flips than when they were little.

 

[VillageMama]

I'm not too thrilled with the idea, but no one asked me what I thought... I haven't checked with the insurance company, yet, and I'm dreading the call.

Hon, I know you know this... but having a trampoline or not is still your call, whether m-i-l has gone ahead and purchased one or not. Maybe if you tell her that you appreciate her generosity but she'll also have to cover your extra insurance costs, she'll buy them some board games, instead.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

good old google:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070706104207.htm

that is just one of many.

 

[Silent1CB]

It is the homeowners DUTY to inform their insurance company when a known risk changes.

If an answer to a question on the insurance application changes, you need to let them know.

Since you KNOW that they have at least some kind of issue with trampolines, and you decide to hide the fact that you bought one from them, they would have every right to ask you to remove it, or just cancel you when they found out about your mispresenting your risk.

You are entering into a contract for them to accept your risks. They decide if they WANT to. If you lie to them, why would they want to continue to accept ANY risks for you?

From my experience with insurance companies, the issue isn't as much about owning one, it's about how its USED & what precautions are taken. Just like a pool. Is it in a completely fenced off area so neighbor kids can not use it uninvited? Does it have safety netting? Things like that. Granted, some might not like it at all, but other insurance companies may be willing to accept the risk WITH certain safety precautions FOLLOWED.

If you are considering your insurance agent or insurance company as an enemy, then maybe its time you look for a new company anyway. In the event of a catastrophic loss or huge lawsuit, I want to know I'm not going to have any problems because I've been honest with them about everything & expect the same from them.

 

[npmommie]

...without hearing how your friend's sister's boyfriend's kid's friend of a friend had some horrible accident? I just want some facts relating to a good quality trampoline, and also how it will affect my homeowners insurance. Does everyone inform their HI before the get a trampoline? Or do you get one and pray HI does not find out, and that no one gets hurt?

I want to get a reasonably priced, large trampoline for my 10 year old DD for Christmas. Thank you!

Jumpsport is supposed to be a high quality brand
http://www.jumpsport.com/

my kids want one too. I know they have so much fun on it at their friends house.
I would check with home insurance first though

Growing up, one of my best friends had a trampoline -- and the way they had it placed was the coolest thing I'd ever seen.

Their son had what in todays age would probably be considered Aspergers, but he needed a way to get out some of his frustrastion and jumping on a trampoline was suggested for him.

So rather than risk injury to him by having him fall off of it, they had someone come in and dig a HUGE hole in the ground (think like a swimming pool hole before they put the cement in) and fit the trampoline down into the hole.

It was level to the ground. One second you were walking on the grass, the next you were on the trampoline.
He didn't fall off, didn't break his head like Humpty Dumpty and everyone was happy.

this is how the trampolines are at the gymnastics center the kids go to.
they can still have head and neck injuries. which is what worries me.
I am a class A worry wart.

 

[JoBird]

this is how the trampolines are at the gymnastics center the kids go to.
they can still have head and neck injuries. which is what worries me.
I am a class A worry wart.

LOL- oh I am too---- which is why my kids aren't playing football or taking gymnastics; they don't have a dirt bike, three wheelers or four, don't own a BB gun and pretty much live life in a bubble that I have deemed safe.

 

[Silent1CB]

OP, since you have friends who have trampolines, perhaps you just need to change your policy to whatever insurance company they use.....since it SEEMS they allow trampolines.

 

[luvmyfam444]

We have one and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. we've only had ours about 2 yrs though - we lost our net soon afterwards during a thunderstorm it started to come down & we rigged it back up but eventually lost the whole thing.

My girls are on it daily, as is the neighborhood kid & I even let a friend come over earlier this week when we were gone so her kids could jump

I have not told my insurance company - I never knew they wanted to know I knew they'd want to know about a pool but never thought about it with a trampoline.

My brothers fam has had one about 7 years I guess none have their 4 kids have been injured from it & they have friends over all the time on it & as far as I know none of the kids have been injured either & they do the flips and everything

One of my girls did break her arm - but she wasn't jumping when she did she was climbing off when she slipped & landed on it. It happened just about 3 months after the neighbor girl broke her arm riding a scooter on our carport right in front of me.

 

[luvmyfam444]

Growing up, one of my best friends had a trampoline -- and the way they had it placed was the coolest thing I'd ever seen.

Their son had what in todays age would probably be considered Aspergers, but he needed a way to get out some of his frustrastion and jumping on a trampoline was suggested for him.

So rather than risk injury to him by having him fall off of it, they had someone come in and dig a HUGE hole in the ground (think like a swimming pool hole before they put the cement in) and fit the trampoline down into the hole.

It was level to the ground. One second you were walking on the grass, the next you were on the trampoline.
He didn't fall off, didn't break his head like Humpty Dumpty and everyone was happy.

I was thinking of having ours done that way - just never have gotten around to it...think its a FABULOUS idea. Unless of course you have kids that flip then it wouldn't matter 'cause they can still break something on solid ground flipping....

 

[mnrose]

We have one and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. we've only had ours about 2 yrs though - we lost our net soon afterwards during a thunderstorm it started to come down & we rigged it back up but eventually lost the whole thing.

My girls are on it daily, as is the neighborhood kid & I even let a friend come over earlier this week when we were gone so her kids could jump

I have not told my insurance company - I never knew they wanted to know I knew they'd want to know about a pool but never thought about it with a trampoline.

My brothers fam has had one about 7 years I guess none have their 4 kids have been injured from it & they have friends over all the time on it & as far as I know none of the kids have been injured either & they do the flips and everything

One of my girls did break her arm - but she wasn't jumping when she did she was climbing off when she slipped & landed on it. It happened just about 3 months after the neighbor girl broke her arm riding a scooter on our carport right in front of me.

I would check with them. When we applied for homeowner's insurance with the last two companies we've had, they both asked if we had a trampoline. It was a specific question that was asked. Because we don't have a trampoline, we are not insured against a loss caused by a trampoline...not a problem of course. However, if we DID have one, it would be a major issue.

At a minimum, read your policy. You may discover that you are NOT covered against any risk of loss caused by a trampoline...in which case, you are indeed running a substantial risk in allowing children other than your own to use your trampoline. If someone else gets injured, you would not be covered and you could be left holding the bag out of pocket for medical expenses, etc.

 

[DawnCt1]

My SIL's neighbor has a trampoline that used to have a net around it. It doesn't any more. It has three polls standing straight up where the net used to attach. It used to be in the back yard. It isn't anymore. The neighbor's 12 year old, who her DS plays with, dragged it over to the side of the yard and put it just below the deck over the walk out basement. The neighbor's son jumps off of the deck, onto the trampoline and if he missed and hit one of those upright poles, its a fatal impalement waiting to happen. I called it to my SIL's attention. Trampolines don't always get used in the way that they are intended to be used, which is dangerous enough, and kids aren't always supervised.