A backyard pool can be a relaxing place to beat the heat, socialize with loved ones and get some valuable exercise. Whether you’re looking to update your existing pool or build new, here are some of the top backyard pool trends to look for in 2024 — and a key insurance consideration to take into account — when crafting your backyard oasis:

Smart Pools

Want the convenience of cleaning your pool or checking its chemical levels at the press of a button? With smart pool technology, you can achieve just that.

Smart pool accessories vary in function and price, from robotic pool cleaners that activate according to a pre-set schedule, ensuring your pool is always clean for a quick dip or spur-of-the-moment party, to robust automated systems that cost $1,500 to $3,000. These systems come with a wireless remote, control interface or app on your smartphone, making pool maintenance easier than ever.

According to Leslie’s Pool, homeowners don’t have to overhaul their entire system at once to reap the advantages of smart pools. You can update parts of your system within your budget, with popular options including:

Surround Yourself with Nature

Are you looking to create a grounded, serene space in your backyard, but the bland grey walls of your above-ground pool keep ruining the vibe? In 2024, more homeowners will embrace the world around them by incorporating natural textures and lush greenery into their pool designs.

Organic elements, such as wood, stone and greenery, can boost the aesthetics of your yard and provide a sense of tranquility while transforming it into a beneficial ecosystem. By incorporating native plants into your poolscape — something that can even include using them as a natural filtration system if you’re willing to take the plunge into chemical-free pool maintenance — you’re supporting local wildlife.

Native plant needs vary greatly depending on where you live. To find the best native plants for your pool project, consult a local nursery or pool maintenance company. Some ways to incorporate nature’s splendor include:

  • Providing wood benches and seating for guests.
  • Decorating your patio or pool perimeter with vivid and visually interesting plants and planters. Remember: If you opt for exotic annual plants, you’ll have to refresh these planters every year.
  • Creating natural rock formations that hide unsightly pool necessities, such as pumps and other accessories.

Transform Your Pool with Lighting

Do you often bemoan twilight on long summer days, wishing you could enjoy a few more hours of fun in the pool? With nighttime pool lighting, you can keep the party going well after sunset.

Many pool owners are turning to energy-efficient LED lighting to create dynamic and visually exciting spaces, but it’s important to have a vision in mind. If you’re looking for a sophisticated retreat, spherical or lantern-shaped floating pool lights can make you feel like you’re at a high-end spa at only a fraction of the cost. Sound-reactive lights, meanwhile, can change colors in response to music, transforming your pool into a dazzling display of light and sound.

Not only do outdoor lights make night swimming more enjoyable, but they can also enhance the safety of your pool. Lighting pathways around your pool helps your guests avoid painful trips and falls that could result in hospital visits. At the same time, installing lights inside your pool can ensure all swimmers are visible. Additionally, if you want to line the perimeter of your pool with lights as a safety measure, make sure they’re not pointed directly at poolside seating areas, as it can impair your guest’s ability to see.

Swimming Pool Liability

While adding a swimming pool to your yard or enhancing your current one can help you make the most of your summer, it can also increase your liability risk. Insurance companies consider pools “attractive nuisances” due to their likelihood of attracting and potentially endangering others, like trampolines and other backyard amenities.

Before welcoming others into your pool, make sure you carry proper insurance coverages that address your enhanced risk. If a guest is injured in your pool and takes a trip to the emergency room, they could sue you to recoup the cost of their treatment. Without the proper coverage, you would have to pay those bills and any settlements or award amounts out of pocket, potentially harming your finances.

Homeowners policies typically provide $100,000 in liability coverage, but the Insurance Information Institute (III) recommends increasing those limits to anywhere between $300,000–$500,000 or even more, depending on your assets. At the same time, insurance experts recommend securing an umbrella policy to cover any potential gaps in your existing homeowners policy. The protection offered by umbrella insurance begins when your primary insurance is maxed out, so this policy is beneficial if you are found liable for costly damages beyond the limit of your homeowners insurance.

Contact your Gallagher Personal Insurance advisor to understand how a pool will impact your risk profile and the coverages you need to insulate your assets against costly liability claims or litigation.