By Dan Burghardt, Owner of Dan Burghardt Insurance Agency
Backyards in Louisiana and Mississippi come alive in the summertime. Families gather around fire pits, kids bounce endlessly on trampolines, and swimming pools become the neighborhood hangout spot. While these features turn any yard into a fun zone, they also come with an increase in potential liability—something most homeowners don’t think about until it’s too late.
Before the summer kicks into high gear, it’s worth taking a fresh look at your homeowner’s insurance policy. New additions to your yard may not be covered under your existing plan, or you may discover gaps that could leave you exposed if an accident occurs. Keep in mind that some Homeowners and property insurance companies will non renew or reject your new application for coverage when it comes to over exposure to a Liability lawsuit. Dog bites, slip and fall and other potential higher risk that you may have or thinking of adding could limit the number of companies who will include coverage for these items we have listed below. Some, on the other hand, will accept you but only with a signed exclusion removing one or more of the discussed items. For a quick quote or free advice, you can contact our quote department directly at (504) 441-RATE (7283) or complete the Online Quote Request form and you will be contacted ASAP.
Fire Pits: Cozy Evenings and Coverage Considerations
Fire pits have become a backyard favorite for evening gatherings. Whether it’s roasting marshmallows or just relaxing with friends, there’s no denying the charm. But an open flame brings real risk. Wind can carry embers to nearby structures, and injuries can happen fast—especially when kids or pets are involved.
Insurance policies often cover fire damage, but it’s crucial to know if outdoor fire pits are included in your coverage, and under what conditions. Permanent fixtures may be handled differently than portable ones. If you installed a new fire feature this year, that’s a red flag to check your policy.
Trampolines: High Jumps, High Risk
Trampolines seem harmless at first glance—just a big bouncy mat. But from an insurance perspective, they’re one of the most injury-prone items you can add to your property. Broken bones, sprains, head injuries—they’re all common trampoline-related claims.
Many insurance carriers either exclude trampolines from coverage or place very specific requirements around their use. Safety nets, anchored frames, and gated yards might be conditions for coverage. If a neighborhood kid jumps on the trampoline without permission and gets hurt, that could fall on the homeowner.
That’s why trampoline ownership should always trigger a review of liability coverage. Check if your current policy reflects the presence of a trampoline and what restrictions or exclusions might apply. If not addressed properly, it could void portions of your coverage.
Pools: Fun and Liability in Equal Measure
Pools are the classic summer centerpiece—and also one of the biggest sources of liability exposure. Drownings, slip-and-fall injuries, and water-related accidents happen fast and can carry serious legal and financial consequences.
Having a pool means maintaining more than just the water. Fencing, locked gates, signage, and sometimes alarms may be required by local ordinance or by your insurer. Homeowners insurance usually covers pools, but not always by default—and not always for everything.
Personal liability limits may need to be increased. Umbrella policies become more important with higher-risk features like pools. Anyone adding a pool this season should contact their insurance agent immediately to ensure full protection is in place. For questions like these, our quote department can help at (504) 441-RATE (7283) or through the Online Quote Request form.
Seasonal Additions: More Than Just Backyard Toys
Sometimes risk isn’t tied to a specific structure. Seasonal additions like pop-up playsets, bounce houses, outdoor kitchens, and even tree swings may seem low-key, but they can increase exposure to injury or property damage.
What matters from an insurance perspective is how these items interact with liability. Did they change the use of your property? Could they create new risks? If you’ve added anything new—even something temporary—it’s time to talk to someone who can review your policy with fresh eyes.
Why Policy Reviews Should Be Seasonal Too
Most homeowners don’t think to update their insurance unless there’s a claim, a renovation, or a major life change. But seasonal updates—particularly in areas like Louisiana and Mississippi where summer fun gets serious—can prevent gaps that only show up when something goes wrong.
Backyards are dynamic spaces. One year it’s a grill and a few chairs. The next, it’s a pool, fire pit, and a trampoline fortress. Coverage should grow and shift with those changes.
At Dan Burghardt Insurance, the agency has seen every variety of backyard transformation over 40+ years of service in New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Gretna, St. Bernard, Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Baton Rouge, Hammond, Houma, Thibodeaux, LaPlace, Lake Charles, Bossier City, Central, Lafayette, Monroe, and Shreveport. As a result, the team understands what to look for, what to ask, and how to build smart, protective coverage that reflects real-world risks.
One Call for Peace of Mind
Summer is for enjoying the yard—not worrying about what might go wrong in it. If it’s been more than a year since your last policy review—or if you’ve added new features this season—take a few minutes to make sure your insurance is doing its job.
For a quick quote, you can contact the quote department directly at (504) 441-RATE (7283) or complete the Online Quote Request form, and someone will be in touch ASAP.
Your backyard is where memories are made. A little preparation goes a long way in making sure those memories stay good ones.