Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by admin
Does your second home have a pool or hot tub? And most importantly is that lovely addition to your holiday home properly insured?
A hot tub and/or pool can transform a holiday home from a nice-to-have into a must-have. In fact, a hot tub in your holiday let could boost your revenue by 37%,1 with hot tubs also the second most searched for feature on many holiday let websites.2
It’s also one of the most searched-for features when a second home is on someone’s wish list and owners with hot tubs often see a noticeable jump in bookings and revenue when renting out their property, particularly off season and during winter months. But before you start taking bookings or enjoy the water yourself, there’s one thing you can’t afford to overlook: making sure your Hot Tub insurance or Pool Insurance is properly in place without overlooking important details.
Standard home insurance is rarely designed for this. If your property is let to paying guests, has a hot tub on-site, or sits empty for long stretches between visits, you need a specialist policy that reflects both the risks and needs of your second home.
Call: 01237 429444
Why standard Home Insurance falls short
A typical home insurance policy is built around a single family living in the property full-time. A holiday let is a different risk altogether. It may be occupied by different guests every week, left vacant between bookings, and hot tubs and pools bring their own set of hazards. Most standard insurers could either exclude hot tubs entirely or heavily restrict cover, potentially leaving you exposed if something goes wrong.
Buildings or Contents: Where does your hot tub sit?
One of the first things to establish with your insurer is how your hot tub is classified:
- Fixed or built-in hot tubs are generally treated as part of the buildings, so they should fall under your buildings insurance and be protected against events like storms, floods, fire, and vandalism affecting the structure.
- Freestanding or portable hot tubs are usually treated as contents and will typically need to be specified separately on your contents cover along with related items like covers, chemicals, and cleaning equipment.
Either way, it is best not to assume. Policies vary considerably between insurers, and a hot tub that isn’t correctly declared may simply be excluded when you come to claim.
Public Liability is non-negotiable
If guests are using your hot tub or swimming pool, you’re usually taking on a liability risk. Public Liability Insurance can financially protect you if a guest is injured or becomes unwell as a result of using your pool or hot tub, for example, a slip on wet decking or an infection linked to poorly maintained water. Given the potential severity of a claim, it’s worth checking not just whether liability cover is included, but how much it provides, and increasing it if the limit seems insufficient.
If you are unsure as to what your Public Liability cover limit should be, talk to our team at Boshers who will be able to advise you depending on the type of pool or hot tub you have.
Maintenance conditions matter
This is where claims can run into trouble. Insurers often only pay out on a hot tub-related claim if the tub has been installed, used, and maintained in line with the manufacturer’s instructions and relevant safety guidance. Health and safety guidance should highlight the risk of Legionnaires’ disease in poorly maintained spa water, and you will be expected to carry out a proper risk assessment, provide clear instructions to guests, and arrange regular servicing. A full shutdown service is often recommended twice a year for tubs in heavy use.
If you don’t live on-site, using a third-party maintenance company is strongly advisable, both for guest safety and to keep your insurance valid. Keep every maintenance record, service invoice, and water-testing log. If you ever need to make a claim, this paperwork can make the process more straightforward; lack of paperwork can complicate any claim made.
Other insurances worth considering
Beyond buildings, contents, and liability, a few other elements are worth checking when insuring a holiday home with a hot tub or pool:
- Employers’ Liability Insurance
This coverage is a legal requirement in the UK and essential if you employ cleaners, gardeners, maintenance staff or any other people to help run your business.
- Loss of Rental Income Insurance
Standard holiday home policies might not include this automatically, but Boshers Holiday Home Insurance can incorporate this useful cover in your policy, enabling you to pay for bills, salaries, or a mortgage should your property suffer damage from an insured peril.
Useful if you end up in a dispute with a guest, for example, over property damage or an early departure.
Getting the right policy in place
Every insurer defines and treats hot tubs slightly differently, which is exactly why generic home insurance is not sufficient for second homes. When comparing policies, be specific with your insurer about:
- Whether your hot tub is fixed or portable
- How often the property is let, and to how many guests
- Your maintenance and servicing arrangements
- The level of public liability cover included
As a specialist Holiday Home Insurance broker, we can help you compare providers, check the small print for hot tub exclusions, and make sure your liability limits reflect your risk.
Why use Boshers’ services?
A pool or hot tub can be a great investment for your holiday let; potentially boosting bookings and guest satisfaction year-round. But it also raises your risk profile, both from a safety and an insurance perspective. Getting proper Holiday Home Hot Tub and/or Pool Insurance through Boshers – with the right buildings or contents cover, adequate public liability, and clear maintenance conditions – means you can offer that extra luxury with confidence, rather than worrying about injury or sickness when guests use your facilities.
If you have a pool or hot tub or are thinking of installing them in your UK or overseas holiday home, talk to our expert team today.
Call: 01237 429444
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1-2. https://www.coastandcountry.co.uk/blog/hot-tub-guide-for-holiday-lets
