“My Pool Cage Got Torn Up in a Storm. Isn’t That Just Part of My Home Insurance?”
It’s one of the most common surprises MLR Insurance Group sees among Florida homeowners after a storm. That screened pool enclosure keeping the bugs out and the leaves off your lanai is treated very differently by insurers than the rest of your home, and it’s worth understanding why before a storm forces the question.
Pool Cages Aren’t Treated Like “The House”
Most Florida insurers classify screened pool enclosures as “other structures,” similar to a shed or detached carport, rather than as part of your main dwelling coverage. If the enclosure is aluminum-framed or built from different materials than your home itself, some carriers, including Citizens Property Insurance, exclude it from standard coverage entirely.
Wind and Named Storm Damage Adds Another Layer
Even when a pool cage is covered, that coverage often only applies to specific named perils. Windstorm or hurricane damage may require a separate endorsement, and Florida’s typical hurricane deductible, often a percentage of your home’s insured value rather than a flat dollar amount, applies on top of that.
The Frame vs. The Screens: A Detail Worth Knowing
- The aluminum framework may be covered under an “other structures” or scheduled endorsement
- The screen material itself is frequently excluded, even when the frame is covered
- Damage from wear, corrosion, or lack of maintenance is generally not covered regardless of framework or screen distinctions
- A fallen tree branch tearing through screens may be treated differently than wind alone shredding the mesh
Why This Matters More Than It Seems
A homeowner assuming full coverage for their pool cage may be shocked to receive a claim decision covering only structural framework, or no coverage at all, after a hurricane tears through the screens. Given how common these enclosures are across Florida, this gap catches far more homeowners off guard than most other exclusions.
Questions Worth Asking Your Agent
- Does my policy include a specific screen enclosure endorsement, or does it rely on general “other structures” coverage?
- Does my coverage include both the frame and the screen material, or just one of the two?
- What does my hurricane deductible look like specifically for enclosure damage?
Getting clarity on this now, rather than during storm cleanup, can prevent a serious financial surprise. This connects to the broader coverage awareness we’ve discussed for Florida homeowners, including our post on how home insurance addresses sinkhole risk, since both topics involve coverage gaps that only become obvious once the standard policy language is examined closely.
MLR Insurance Group in Florida helps homeowners understand exactly how their pool enclosure is covered before the next storm season arrives. Visit MLR Insurance Group today to talk through your policy.
