Loading blog content, please wait...
By Sara Anglin - State Farm Insurance Agent
That Backyard Trampoline Might Cost You More Than $300 Your kids have been asking for months. The neighbors have one. And honestly, it does look like a ...
Your kids have been asking for months. The neighbors have one. And honestly, it does look like a great way to burn off energy after school. But before you load up at the Cool Springs Academy Sports, there's a conversation you need to have with your insurance agent—not after the trampoline is assembled, but before you buy it.
Trampolines create what insurance professionals call an "attractive nuisance." That's legal language for something on your property that draws in kids—including kids who don't live there and didn't ask permission to jump.
Tennessee follows the attractive nuisance doctrine, which means property owners can be held liable for injuries to children who wander onto their property and get hurt by something inherently appealing to kids. Swimming pools fall into this category. So do trampolines.
The legal standard doesn't require that you invite the neighbor kids over. It doesn't even require that you know they were jumping. If a child enters your yard in Sylvan Park or Green Hills and gets injured on your trampoline, you could face a lawsuit—and your homeowners insurance is the first line of defense.
Here's where it gets complicated: not all homeowners policies treat trampolines the same way.
Some insurance carriers in Middle Tennessee will cover trampoline-related injuries under your standard liability coverage, typically $100,000 to $300,000 depending on your policy. Others add specific exclusions for trampolines, meaning any injury that happens on the equipment isn't covered at all. A few carriers won't write new policies for homes with trampolines, period.
If you already own a trampoline and your policy excludes them, you're carrying all the risk yourself. A broken arm requiring surgery can easily run $15,000 to $30,000. A spinal injury? You're looking at costs that could exceed $100,000 before rehabilitation even starts.
The first question to answer: Does your current policy cover trampoline injuries, exclude them entirely, or fall somewhere in between?
Many carriers that do allow trampolines require specific safety features before they'll extend coverage. These typically include:
Enclosure netting that surrounds the jumping surface and prevents falls to the ground. The netting needs to be properly installed and maintained—a torn net doesn't count.
Padding over springs and frame to reduce impact injuries. This padding degrades in Tennessee's humidity and UV exposure, so it needs replacement every few years.
A locking mechanism or removal of the ladder when not in use. This goes back to the attractive nuisance issue—making it harder for unauthorized users to access the trampoline demonstrates you've taken reasonable precautions.
Some policies also require that only one person jumps at a time, which is nearly impossible to enforce when you have multiple kids. But if an injury occurs during a party with six kids bouncing simultaneously, that detail could become relevant to your claim.
Standard homeowners policies in Nashville carry liability coverage between $100,000 and $300,000. If you're adding a trampoline to your backyard, that baseline coverage may not be enough.
Medical costs are one factor. But liability claims also include pain and suffering, lost wages for parents who miss work caring for an injured child, and legal fees. A serious injury lawsuit can quickly exceed $500,000.
This is where umbrella insurance becomes relevant. An umbrella policy adds liability coverage above your homeowners and auto policies—typically in increments of $1 million. For a family with a trampoline, a pool, or both, umbrella coverage provides a financial buffer that standard homeowners coverage can't match.
The cost difference is more manageable than most people expect. Umbrella policies often run $150 to $300 per year for the first million in coverage.
Some homeowners skip the disclosure conversation, hoping to avoid premium increases or policy complications. This creates a much bigger problem than the one you're trying to avoid.
Insurance policies require accurate information about your property. If you install a trampoline without notifying your carrier and someone gets injured, the company can deny your claim based on material misrepresentation. You'd face the lawsuit with no coverage backing you up.
Even if your carrier would have covered the trampoline, failing to disclose it gives them grounds to walk away when you need them most.
If a trampoline is on your family's wish list for warmer weather, start these conversations now:
Call your insurance agent and ask specifically whether your policy covers trampoline-related injuries. Get this in writing if possible—an email confirmation works.
Ask what safety requirements must be met for coverage to apply. Document that you've installed the required netting, padding, and access restrictions.
Request a quote for increased liability limits or umbrella coverage. Compare the cost against the risk you'd carry without it.
If your current carrier excludes trampolines or won't continue your policy, ask about alternative carriers that will provide coverage with appropriate safety measures in place.
The goal isn't to avoid owning a trampoline if your family genuinely wants one. The goal is making sure you understand exactly what risk you're taking on—and that you have coverage in place before the first jump.