Important note from LBA: Leak Business Academy is a pool leak detection training organization. We are not insurance advisors. This page provides awareness about why insurance matters and what questions to bring to a licensed insurance professional - not coverage determinations or legal guidance.
Do not start paid work without speaking to a licensed insurance agent about your specific services.
Why This Is Not a Simple Checklist
The right insurance coverage for your business depends on what your business actually does. A solo operator who does detect-only residential work has a different risk profile than one who dives, pressure tests, performs repairs, works on commercial properties, or has employees.
Getting the wrong coverage - or assuming a general policy covers everything - is a real problem in this industry. The time to find out your policy does not cover something is not after a claim.
Common Coverage Areas to Ask Your Agent About
General liability insurance - Covers property damage or bodily injury claims arising from your work. This is a standard starting point for any contractor working on private or commercial property. Ask your agent whether your policy covers the specific services you perform.
Commercial auto insurance - Personal auto policies typically exclude business use of a vehicle. If you drive to job sites for pay, a commercial policy or business-use endorsement is worth discussing with your agent. Ask specifically about coverage when tools or equipment are in the vehicle.
Coverage for water entry or diving - If you enter pool water as part of your service, ask your agent directly whether that activity is covered under your policy. Describe exactly what you do - underwater evaluation, dye testing, light niche assessment. Do not assume it is included without asking.
Coverage for pressure testing - Applying air or water pressure to pool plumbing lines is a technical operation. Ask your agent whether your policy covers claims that arise from pressure testing activities, including any damage to pool plumbing.
Tool and equipment coverage - Ask about coverage for your business tools and equipment in transit or on site. Standard general liability may not cover tools stolen from a vehicle or damaged on site.
Workers compensation - If you have employees or regular helpers - even part-time - ask your agent about workers compensation requirements in your state. This is a legal requirement in most states for employers and is separate from general liability.
Commercial client certificate requirements - Hotels, HOAs, property management companies, and commercial pool operators often require vendors to provide a certificate of insurance with specific coverage limits before allowing them on property. Ask your agent about certificates of insurance and additional insured endorsements if you plan to work with commercial clients.
Tell your agent exactly what you do. Do not describe yourself generically as a "pool service company" if your work includes diving, pressure testing, plumbing evaluation, or repair recommendations. The more accurately you describe your actual services, the better your agent can match the right coverage to your risk profile.
Questions to Bring to Your Insurance Agent
- Does this policy cover work performed in or around swimming pools?
- Does it cover me if I enter the water to perform underwater evaluation?
- Does it cover pressure testing of pool plumbing lines?
- Does it cover repair work, or is that a separate coverage consideration?
- Does commercial auto cover my vehicle when tools and equipment are inside?
- What happens if a customer claims I caused damage during a service visit?
- Do I need additional coverage for commercial pool properties?
- What is not covered by this policy that I should know about?
Understand What You Are Getting Into Before You Start
LBA teaches new operators how to set up their business properly - including why insurance, licensing, and documentation matter from day one.
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