Do You Need a Structural Engineer for a Pool Claim?

In my career of doing pool inspections, I have found that Structural Engineers and Pool Inspectors each have their place when dealing with insurance claims  involving pools or spas. If the damage is structural, a structural engineer can tell what happened. However, they may not tell you why the damage occurred (Cause of Loss).

If you are an insurance adjuster or claims agent and have read engineering reports, then you know that the engineers do not want the liability of determining the cause of loss. They may give a lot of information so you can make the decision, but they will not commit themselves to an answer.

When it comes to pools, spas and waterscapes,  you better have an experienced Pool Inspector to determine the cause of loss. By experience I mean 12 – 20 years experience.  If there are any questions the pool, then a structural engineer can be brought in as a second step.

The Pool Inspector’s Role

Our company recently did a desktop review for an insurance company of a 25-year-old vinyl lined pool. We were only provided an engineering report and pictures by the insurance adjuster. The bid was $50,000 for a new pool. The engineering report told us the pool had collapsed due to a secondary cause of heavy snow.

By reviewing the report and pictures it was determined by us that the liner was at the end of its life.  The pool was half empty at the time of the snow storm. This was the actual cause of loss.  Which allowed the snow’s weight to destroy the pool frame.

The engineer did not comment on the liner condition or water level. He only said the pool frame had no steel in it, and therefore the walls collapsed from the weight of the snow.

The Structural Engineer’s Role

There was a fiberglass pool in the Northwest that popped out of the ground. The insured insisted he did not empty the pool, which would absolutely cause the pool to pop out due a shallow water table. An engineer with years of experience in dealing with pools was sent out to the property. We had the benefit of a structural engineer with pool experience to give us a defensible cause of loss. In this case, the Structural Engineer’s findings were conclusive for the insurance company and homeowner.

Hiring a Pool Inspector is less costly then hiring a Structural Engineer but Structural Engineers certainly have their place in this industry.  Thee trick is knowing which one to hire and when.

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Photo Credit:  Bevangoldswain, Thinkstock.com