Owning a pool is one of the best ways to enjoy your home—especially in the heat of summer. But when a pool leak strikes, that luxury can quickly turn into a headache. Pool leaks can damage your backyard, inflate your water bills, and, in some cases, even threaten your home’s foundation. That’s why home warranty pool coverage is so important.
But it’s not always easy to understand. In fact, one of the most common questions we hear from pool owners is: Does a home warranty cover pool leaks?
The answer really depends on the finer details of your pool and spa equipment home warranty plan.
What is home warranty pool coverage?
A home warranty with pool coverage helps protect your pool’s key systems and components from breakdowns due to normal wear and tear. It’s different from homeowners insurance, which usually only kicks in when damage is caused by things like storms, fire, or vandalism.
With 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, optional home warranty pool coverage includes:
- Pool heating components
- Pool pumping systems
- Pool filtration systems
- Pool-sweep motors
- Saltwater cells and circuit boards (for saltwater pools)
This sort of protection is critical to protecting your financial health. Research from Angi shows the average in-ground pool costs between $44,499 and $87,349, and annual swimming pool maintenance generally ranges from $116 to $354 every year.
A home warranty with pool coverage can give you extra peace of mind around your investment!
What’s Not Covered
Pool coverage typically comes with a certain level of limitations. Common exclusions include:
- Jets and lights
- Waterfalls and decorative features
- Underground lines (plumbing, gas, or electrical)
- Pool liners and cosmetic finishes
- Damage caused by neglect, improper installation, or environmental disasters
Are pool leaks covered by a home warranty?
Yes—home warranty pool coverage can apply to pool leaks, but it depends on where the leak is and what caused it. Here’s how it breaks down:
What’s covered by a home warranty?
Common problems that are generally covered by home warranties include:
- A leak in the filtration system
- A leak from the pump or heater
- Leaks from covered mechanical components
To help illustrate, let’s take a look at an example: If your pool pump develops a crack due to normal wear and tear and begins leaking, your home warranty plan may cover the repair—provided it has pool coverage.
Review our pool and spa breakdown troubleshooting methods for solutions to some of the most common pool owner problems!
What’s not covered by a home warranty?
Common issues that aren’t covered by home warranties include:
- Leaks in the pool liner
- Leaks caused by accidents, storms, or natural disasters
- Pre-existing leaks you knew about before coverage began
Here’s a real-world example of when a pool leak isn’t covered: Let’s say your pool liner rips during a rowdy 4th of July celebration. In most cases, that couldn’t be covered under your home warranty.
Note: “Does homeowners insurance cover pool liners?” is one of the most common questions we’re asked, and the answer is generally not!
Does homeowners insurance cover pool leaks?
Many people confuse home warranty coverage with homeowners insurance—but the two are very different.
- A home warranty is generally intended to protect repairs and replacements for your systems and appliances from regular wear and tear.
- Homeowners insurance is generally intended to protect you from damage to your home and belongings during a traumatic event, such as a fire, flood, or storm.
With that clarification, let’s get back to the question at hand:
So, does home insurance cover pool leaks?
Generally, homeowners insurance does not cover pool leaks unless the damage was caused by a covered peril like a falling tree or lightning strike. Even then, coverage can be limited.
Examples of Leaks That May Be Covered by Homeowners Insurance
- Tree limb falls into your pool and cracks the shell
- Electrical surge damages pool equipment (depending on your policy)
Examples of Leaks That Are Generally Not Covered By Homeowners Insurance
- Gradual leaks due to normal use
- Leaking pool liners or underground plumbing
- Malfunctioning equipment not caused by sudden damage
These shortcomings are why so many homeowners add pool coverage to their warranty plan—it fills the gap that homeowners insurance doesn’t cover.
Quick Test: How to Tell If Your Pool Is Leaking
Before filing a claim, you’ll want to verify whether your pool actually has a leak or is just experiencing evaporation. Try this simple bucket test:
- Fill a 5-gallon bucket and place it on your pool’s second step.
- Mark the water level in the bucket and your pool.
- Turn off your pool pump and wait 24 hours.
- If the pool’s water level drops more than the bucket’s, you may have a leak.
- Repeat the test with the pump on to help isolate the source.
This simple test can help you catch leaks early—and may help your home warranty provider confirm eligibility for repairs.
Choosing the Right Home Warranty for Pools
If you’re considering home warranty pool coverage, here’s what to look for in a provider:
- Clear and easy-to-understand service contracts
- Strong customer reviews and trusted contractor network
- Fast response times for service requests
- Affordable pricing with optional pool and spa add-ons
- Helpful coverage explanations (so you know what’s included)
With 2-10 HBW, you get all of the above—and coverage that’s easy to use when you need it most.
Summary: Should You Add Home Warranty Pool Coverage?
If your home has a pool, a home warranty for pools can be a smart investment. Most homeowners insurance policies don’t cover pool leaks, especially for components like the pool liner or filtration system. That’s where a home warranty steps in—providing affordable protection for your pool’s most important parts.
So, are pool leaks covered by homeowners insurance? Usually not. But with 2-10 HBW, your pool can stay protected, so you can spend more time swimming and less time stressing.
