I HATE trampolienes!!!

[LoriABil]

I remember a high wind storm that blew a trampoline over the owners fence onto a busy street in town! Thank goodness no one was hurt, but that could have been catastrophic!

We have a trampoline - and I have seen the worst of injuries in my line of work, including a 6 year old with an elbow dislocation/fracture from jumping up and grabbing the enclosure! In fact, I broke my ankle when I was 11 jumping with a friend.

I know it doesn't eliminate the possibility of injury, but it greatly reduces it to supervise kids using it, allow only one person at a time, and make sure kids are trained if they are doing tricks.

Also, living in an area prone to high winds, if there is a chance of storms or if we go out of town, then trampoline is turned over, making it less likely that an updraft will take it away.

Hope insurance or neighbors make this right!

 

[MiniGirl]

That is not even CLOSE to true. A wind storm, lightning, tornadoes, hail, etc. are ALL covered by insurance. The "Act of God" that everyone quotes is from policies that were written in the 1920's.

Minigirl-storms like these you get maybe 30 minutes notice. They are not like hurricanes where you have days to prepare. Yesterday morning the weather reports said we had a 50% chance of severe storms last night. We got a lot of rain and lightening but no major winds. The night before last we had a 90% chance of storms and got nothing. If a storm track moves even a couple miles your chances of getting hit or not change pretty rapidly. Just 15 miles south of us they had 70MPH winds though. Now, if I owned a tramp and there was a good chance of a storm I would at LEAST turn it over so it isn't as subject to the wind.

Thanks for the explanation. I've lived in hurricane country almost my entire life, so I'm not used to stroms sneaking up on people. I mean I know tornados are unpredictable, and of course, earthquakes, etc. I just never thought of rain storms (and the wind that comes with them) that way. Good to know.

 

[golfgal]

I think most insurance companies will cancel your policy if they find out you have a trampoline, and refuse to pay if it causes any damages. I'm guessing you will have to take them to court if they don't offer to pay. A friend of mine bought one, and I asked her what her insurance company said. She had no idea it might be a problem!

If you own a trampoline and don't disclose that to your insurance company when you buy the policy and they have an exclusion for trampolines, no, they won't pay the claim. If you own a trampoline and they change your policy AFTER you bought the policy they would have either had to notify you of the change or pay the claim. If you property is damaged by someone ELSE'S tramp, it doesn't matter what your policy covers for your OWN property, they will still pay the claim. They won't pay claims if your OWN tramp causes damage to your home or someone using the trampoline. The insurance industry is HIGHLY regulated and they can't just make decisions on what they will or will not cover willy nilly. Most people that have problems with claims are trying to make a claim for something that is NOT covered and they did not read their policy to find out what is or isn't covered.

 

[hereyago]

That's not what this is about though. The story was about 12 trampoline's blowing around, not 12 trees, porch swings, etc.

I know most of ya love your trampoline's, but jeesh.

First off: I have no desire to be on a trampoline, assume much? Also, the real point of the story, there was a storm a wind, rain and hail storm as the OP wrote her intial post. She also wrote she was concerned about the windows in her house blowing out/in, so she went down to the basement. So this wasn't just a little thunderstorm.

We are at the mercy of weather. And once again, anything can cause damage. A tree that was in my neighbor's yard fell onto and into my house during a hurricane. It was a healthy tree, but it had rained a lot ground was saturated and oh yes, wind. I have seen a hose still attached to the hose reel end up through my neighbor's picture window after a storm. Objects can become missles, even privacy fences parts of it can break loose and become a danger.


It sucks to have damage, but once again it was a big storm.

 

[Colleen27]

I'm fairly sure that is a prime example of a improperly anchored trampoline... My cousins had one when we were kids and it stayed in place through several hurricanes, up to category 3.

When I was a kid we had a neighbor's swingset - the old metal kind - take out a fence and damage our patio table because it wasn't secured properly (and every kid in the neighborhood could have told you that, because it "hopped" if we swung too high!). In storms like that, just about anything left outdoors can turn into a projectile.

 

[mhsjax]

That's not what this is about though. The story was about 12 trampoline's blowing around, not 12 trees, porch swings, etc.

I know most of ya love your trampoline's, but jeesh.

Nope don't really love them at all, but I think the op hatred of them is leaking over into the house damage. My relative lives in Florida, in Orlando, they get wicked storms, I am sure most of you of the dis boards know that, OUr thunder storms come with wind gusts of 50 to 75 miles per hour frequently.
It took 7 years of summer storms before one took their trampoline and it was a down burst in which you have no warning. The resemble tornadoes, and here in Florida we can't tie down stuff everytime we get a storm, we would be doing that every other day almost. We have lawn furniture out side and all sorts of stuff here in the sunshine state that can cause damage, so I guess we are just used to it. We don't have a beloved relationship with the trampoline.

 

[Mickey's Minion]

I was trying to insert a picture that isn't online anywhere- just off my camera...can someone explain to me how to do it? I tried cut and pasting it, didn't work

OK, our neighbors (who live across the street from us) have had this tramp. for several years now- maybe 4 years? This tramp. has been in the discussion and hate of many parents, it has been the cause of 3 broken limbs, 25 stitches (2 different kids) and now will be the disscussion of the entire town for quite some time.

Last night around 9 pm. we had one of the worst wind, rain and hail storms I've ever experianced in my life. We actually went into our basement and stayed away from windows. The winds were 53 mph. with gusts up to 85 mph.

As I was walking up the steps from our down stairs, I heard something hitting our house. I looked out the window thinking the storm was almost done to see metal rods flying at our home with big gusts of wind coming up. I went back downstairs to wait for a few more minutes.

When my family all finally came upstairs, we looked into our front yard to see metal pipes and springs laying EVERY WHERE. On the street, inside of a car WINDOW that was parked in the MIDDLE OF THE ROAD with it's door open...and after the wind was totally down, my husband went outside with a big flashlight to check on the damage. I went with him. He started picking up the metal pipes and he knew they were from the tramp, but he didn't see the tramp. where it was supposed to be in our neighbors back yard. I looked in our back yard and there was a GAPING HOLE in our fence...I ran back to check it out and looked through the fence to see blood on the fence, I started YELLING and screaming for my husband. He and I ran into the back of our yard to see that the tramp went completely through our fence, across our lawn taking out 2 of our trees and finally stopped by smashing into the back of our fence breaking that too. The blood was from a bird. Apparently, the tramp had hit a bird and it was caught ON one of the poles- the pole went right through the bird. Thank goodness it was only a bird!

SO, for me, who HATES trampolienes ALREADY, to have this happen is absolutely making my point EVEN MORE. This was no flimsy, low quality tramp. It was an expensive one that was professionally installed and STEAKED into the ground. Well, those steaks ended up becoming weapons flying through the air. One smashed into another neighbors window and cracked it, others were stabbed through trees!

Now I know ANOTHER reason why insurance companies HATE trampolienes! Not just because they cause thousands of injuries a year while people are JUMPING ON THEM...it's because all of their metal poles, springs, pipes- they become weapons when the wind gets high enough. I THANK THE LORD that no one was majorly hurt. The person driving the car was hurt by getting Slammed with a pole in the head- stitches and head wound, but he'll be ok.

There were 12 tramp.s in our area that caused damage. TWELVE!!! They were picked up by the wind and smashed through things, one person had poles and pipes rammed through their windows!

First of all, new rule.

I've heard of 'when pigs fly' but cows (steaks?). Just had to kid you on that one OP.

Since the trampoline was professionally staked to the ground, it sounds like the neighbors did everything they were supposed to do.

You said this was one of the worst storms you have ever experienced in your lifetime, so it must have been an unusual storm.

Since the neighbor's seem to have done their part and this storm was a very unusual storm, I would just file a claim with your insurance.

If your insurance thinks they can collect from the homeowner's insurance, they will go after the neighbor's insurance in a heartbeat.

That way you can stay out of it, remain good neighbors and let the insurance companies figure out who is going to pay.

 

[Luvchefmic]

First of all, new rule.

I've heard of 'when pigs fly' but cows (steaks?). Just had to kid you on that one OP.

Since the trampoline was professionally staked to the ground, it sounds like the neighbors did everything they were supposed to do.

You said this was one of the worst storms you have ever experienced in your lifetime, so it must have been an unusual storm.

Since the neighbor's seem to have done their part and this storm was a very unusual storm, I would just file a claim with your insurance.

If your insurance thinks they can collect from the homeowner's insurance, they will go after the neighbor's insurance in a heartbeat.

That way you can stay out of it, remain good neighbors and let the insurance companies figure out who is going to pay.

I have seen you do this before.... come in --do a recap and give sound advice.. (not that I agree with you ALL the time but in this case perfect)

 

[C.Ann]

I'm so sorry this happened to you and your family.. Sounds like a terribly fightening experience!

I hope the insurance company - yours or theirs - will cover your damages..

That sounds like a terrible storm!!!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

It does sound like the neighbors at least tried to be responsible by having it professionaly installed and staked to the ground. I agree that it sounds like this was an unusual storm. I'm sorry that you had so much damage, hopefully your homeowner's insurance will take care of it.

 

[mykidsand_i]

Our insurance person was at our house for over an hour last night. Lucky for us, our insurance company is the same as our neighbors who owned the trampoline. NOT lucky for them, though. The insurance company is DROPPING THE NEIGHBORS!!! They were not 'informed that a trampoline was on the property' and therefore, the damage that was caused could have been 'preventable' in the insurance companies eyes. That's what our insurance guy told us and them.

We will be getting a check to replace the entire fence and to fix our underground sprinkler system. The tramp. landed on the exact spot where a sprinkler head is located and busted it, as well as severed the sprinkler lines in two different spots, where poles went through the ground. Also, part of the check will cover the cost of fixing landscaping- my garden was ruined because of this trampoline and because of the sprinklers leaking all over. It's a big muddy mess.

The reason why I hate trampolines (more than say a play set, a wooden swing, trees...all that other stuff that flies through the air) is this: (As our insurance person told us)...When the wind catches a trampoline at the right angle, the safety nets and the tramp. tarps act as a big wind sail. They are carried a lot further, and have caused more damage in large wind storms in the US than any metal swing set, any wooden swing sets or outdoor play equiptment. A metal or wooden swing set/play structure takes a lot higher of winds than a tramp. does to cause damage, because of them not having material on them that turn them into 'sails'. And, the metal pipes, poles and the large number of springs that they have make them extremely dangerous because it all falls apart as it flies through the air.

Our insurance person said that he had to go to 10 of the places yesterday that had damage from trampolienes. He said in 90% of the high-wind storms that he's done, most of the damage is cause to neighbors homes and properties, NOT the people who OWN the tramps...the NEIGHBORS. When it comes to a metal play set, the majority of those cannot be carried as far unless the winds are higher, so THOSE sets cause more damage on the property that OWNS the play set.

So, for us, it will all get fixed. It'll take time. and I'm quite upset, because our fence was custom built by my uncle 4 years ago and he's now in a wheel chair. He won't be re-building our fence with us, we'll have to go else where. Maybe we'll just get something from Lowes, or another local place...but it won't be as 'meaningful' as our current fence.

The lesson A LOT of people in our area will learn is...insurance rates will be HIGHER for people with trampolienes, but if you don't state that you own one, you may be DROPPED and it'll be very difficult to get a new insurance company once you're dropped from an old one!

This storm came up quickly and the winds weren't expected to get this bad. Trees were uprooted, swing sets were blown over and Stop lights and electric lines were damaged...BUT, out of EVERYTHING that was blown around, it was the trampolines that caused the most damage in our area.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

The OP can hate whatever she likes. The trampoline has been cause of injury and now property destruction. Perhaps if it had been a swingset with the same damage and injury it would have been a hate post about swingsets. But it wasn't. It is heartbreaking to deal with the aftermath and damage of a storm like this. Stress about it seems to be pretty normal if you ask me.

 

[JerseyJanice]

The tramp. landed on the exact spot where a sprinkler head is located and busted it, as well as severed the sprinkler lines in two different spots, where poles went through the ground.

That was one tough tramp!

It's a bummer about your fence, but you can't get too sentimental about something outdoors like that. Even the best wooden fence can't last forever.

Glad to hear that the tramp owner's insurance will cover your losses. That's a good thing.

 

[Luvchefmic]

OP I am glad that your damages have been covered. Now I want an opinion since I have learned so much from this thread so hope you don't mind if I ask here. The neighbor has a trampoline, we are the "Hi how are you" type of neighbor It doesn't seem to be staked to the ground in any way from what I can see. Just the legs that are part of it. How can I delicately mention my fears especially like I said earlier in the thread that I have a horse that is in my back yard? Her being hit with any part of it would kill me (if not her)

Thanks

 

[rie'smom]

This really has nothing to do with the evils of trampolines. Anything could have caused that damaged. A porch swing, a patio chair or table........

We've always had trampolines and love them!

 

[mhsjax]

OP I am glad that your damages have been covered. Now I want an opinion since I have learned so much from this thread so hope you don't mind if I ask here. The neighbor has a trampoline, we are the "Hi how are you" type of neighbor It doesn't seem to be staked to the ground in any way from what I can see. Just the legs that are part of it. How can I delicately mention my fears especially like I said earlier in the thread that I have a horse that is in my back yard? Her being hit with any part of it would kill me (if not her)

Thanks

Gosh that would be a hard one for me, unlike a dog you can't just bring the horse in during a storm, and you know that living in Florida anything can become a weapon.

Maybe just start up a conversation asking about her trampoline and find out if it is anchored and if it isn't, tell her your fears, I don't think there is anyone that would want your horse to get hurt or killed so hopefully they will understand. I will also say, like I said in an earlier post, that I have relatives that live in Orlando, they had a tramp, it wasn't a problem for 9 or 10 years, then all of the sudden one day a freak storm with down bursts lifted theirs and landed it squarely in their screened in porch.

I can understand how one did all the damage to the OP's property, but I really do have a hard time believing that in the powerful storm and with all the other damage trees and stuff that the op reported, that the most damage was done by trampolines, Again, maybe because I do live in Florida and have all of my life and tons of friends of mine had tramps, and never any damage from a storm. Not saying it couldn't happen, but I don't think it is that common.

And for the record, NO I don't have a trampoline, too afraid kids will get hurt.

 

[Kimberly]

This really has nothing to do with the evils of trampolines. Anything could have caused that damaged. A porch swing, a patio chair or table........

Ditto on this. My patio furniture flew into my pool when we had a bad thunderstorm about a week or two ago. Chairs, tables, and umbrella... easily could have flown into my neighbors yard or property. Stuff happens...

 

[Luvchefmic]

Thanks mhsjax....I'm going to talk to her when I see her tomorrow funny thing is we're all pretty good about the patio furniture the garbage cans etc it never occurred to me so maybe it never occurred to her either ....it helps that she really likes my horse so I'll bring up what I learned here

 

[mykidsand_i]

Ditto on this. My patio furniture flew into my pool when we had a bad thunderstorm about a week or two ago. Chairs, tables, and umbrella... easily could have flown into my neighbors yard or property. Stuff happens...

This, to me though, is in fact all about trampolines and the damage they can cause. This is an experiance that I am dealing with (as well as SEVERAL other people in my town). I know that there are thousands of items that cause damage in wind storms. BUT, in THIS case, ISN'T about those things. It wasn't over 20 chairs or 20 'pieces of outdoor furniture' or 20 fence posts or 20 play set items...it's about OVER 20 trampolines with in a 15 block area that caused THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS worth of damage. It wasn't 5 trampolines that 'just got picked up right by the wind'...it's over 20! The number alone should make people question the safety of how these things are placed in their yards.

I HATE trampolines, because of personal experiances that I HAVE HAD WITH them. I know that some people love them, great for you! But, for the people that DO have them, and for the people that have them in their NEIGHBORS YARDS- we all need to pay attention a little more BEFORE accidents like this happen. Turns out that this trampoline that caused our damage wasn't staked properly. The owners 'thought it had' but they obviously had NO CLUE.

I haven't liked them since my daughter (who was bouncing ALONE and had a safety net around it) broke her leg because she 'bounced wrong' and landed on a spring. Also, on this very same trampoline that is now still in our back yard, the neighbor kid broke his arm and had to have 18 stitches...But, this isn't about the "safety of jumping on a trampoline"...this is about what damage they can cause if they aren't properly staked.

 

[surfergirl602]

This was no flimsy, low quality tramp

There were 12 tramps in our area that caused damage. TWELVE!!!

Now there's a line for the tag fairy.