Umbrella policy and pool in the woods

   / Umbrella policy and pool in the woods #1  

wesmann

Bronze Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2008
Messages
85
Location
Western Massachusetts
Tractor
YM 276D
I'm looking into buying an umbrella homeowners policy. The application questionnaire asks if I have a pool. There is a 100 year old cistern down in the woods that was a water supply for a mine. I've got it posted and fenced with wire and plastic mesh but the fence is mostly a warning to hunters. I want the policy for other liabilities and don't want to spend $2000 for a pool code fence. Does anyone have any information on how I might deal with this? Thanks.
 
   / Umbrella policy and pool in the woods #2  
How big is the cistern? Are the sides vertical, or is it more like a pond?

Aaron Z
 
   / Umbrella policy and pool in the woods #3  
Thats an easy one, you have no pool, you have a pond, which will further reduce your cost for insurance in the event of a house fire and water is readily available. Estimate how many gallons are available and the distance from your home and out buildings as the insurance will want to know. Keep the signs and postings up to avoid any conflict of liability. But it should be address as a pond and fresh water source as needed for gardening and emergencys such as fires.
If questions do arise, check with your lawyer and ensure this coincides with local regulations, if any, and your insurnace coverage coincides with your liabilty of the pond. You may wish to have some sort of excape from the pit available should someone fall into the water. It sounds like the fall will not kill them, but drowning would be their fate, cover that angle as well should they get by the fence and can't read english (ladder).
That would be my first approach, as insurance will charge for anything they can get away with, and classifing it as some other than what it is, would be one of those charges. Meet the law,and nothing more, but the ladder may be an additional savior,and prevent any questions in the event of an accident, and perhaps a civil matter.
If you have faith in the agent, you may wish to have him out and push this angle, if he dissagrees, do as they wish and seek legal council for advise to ensure you are not paying for something other than what is mandated by you local laws.

Perhaps a cover is all that is needed for protection and an emergency water source. I have also seen them down south with a barn structure built over them.
 
   / Umbrella policy and pool in the woods
  • Thread Starter
#4  
The cistern is 20x12 and 20' deep. Sides are level with the ground. There is a pipe to the road for fire control. A structure over the pool would cost more than a fence. A ladder is a good idea. Thanks again
 
   / Umbrella policy and pool in the woods #5  
The cistern is 20x12 and 20' deep. Sides are level with the ground. There is a pipe to the road for fire control. A structure over the pool would cost more than a fence. A ladder is a good idea. Thanks again
Thats it?
$440 in fence: Shop 5-ft x 50-ft Black Galvanized Steel 9-Gauge Chain-Link Fence Fabric at Lowes.com
$129 in fence posts: Studded T Post, 6 ft., 1.25 lb. per foot - 3609112 | Tractor Supply Company
$56 in braces : Wedge-Loc Diagonal Brace Set - 3609683 | Tractor Supply Company
$625 total to put up a 5' chainlink fence with posts every 4' and 2 brace posts on each corner
Could probably be put up in a Saturday with 1-2 people if you have a post pounder.

Aaron Z
 
   / Umbrella policy and pool in the woods #6  
I just finally broke down and got a 2 mil umbrella, and they did not ask me such questions, I feel cheated!
 
   / Umbrella policy and pool in the woods #7  
I just finally broke down and got a 2 mil umbrella, and they did not ask me such questions, I feel cheated!

We have a 1 mil umbrella and they asked those questions for homeowners, but not for the umbrella.

Aaron Z
 
   / Umbrella policy and pool in the woods #8  
We have a 1 mil umbrella and they asked those questions for homeowners, but not for the umbrella.

Aaron Z

I have owned this property for 24 years, and had the same carrier all this time, aint no way in
H E DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS I would remember what they aksked me 24 years ago
;)
 
   / Umbrella policy and pool in the woods #9  
Why would you want to insure an umbrella?! ;) j/k
 

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