Trampolines, on the other hand, can endanger those young acrobats. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 100,000 people are treated in emergency rooms each year for trampoline-related injuries, with more than 90% of them being children.

If you're a homeowner thinking about purchasing a trampoline, or if you've already purchased one but haven't informed your insurance company, you should be aware of how that new toy may affect your homeowners insurance.

Are trampolines covered by home insurance?

Many insurers regard a trampoline as an "attractive nuisance," which means that children will most likely attempt to use it without fully understanding the risks. It also means you could be held liable if a child is injured while using your trampoline without your permission.

Home insurers approach backyard trampolines differently. InsuredCircle asked over a dozen large insurers how trampolines are covered, and the eight that responded demonstrate how widely the coverage rules can vary:

• Some claim that trampolines are covered as part of a standard policy at no extra cost.
• Others stated that they cover trampolines as long as they meet certain safety standards.
• Some businesses charge an extra fee, while others do not.
• Another company covers trampolines, but the amount of liability coverage is limited.

Some companies will not cover you if you have a trampoline, according to Will Lemanski, an independent insurance agent in Michigan who works with several large insurers. According to Lemanski, an insurer will typically refuse to cover you due to its history with trampolines and overall risk tolerance, rather than your specific situation.

What should homeowners do to make sure they're covered?

According to Amy Bach, executive director of United Policyholders, a nonprofit that advocates for people with insurance, the only way to know for sure if you're covered is to ask your insurer directly. Ideally, you should inquire before purchasing the trampoline.

She recommends that you determine "whether your [home] insurance policy would provide you with a defense if someone were to sue you for a trampoline injury."

Even if your trampoline is covered when you first purchase it, Bach advises staying up to date on your insurance company's policies. Your insurance coverage for trampolines may change over time.

It's usually in your best interest to ask your insurer, even if it means paying higher premiums or switching to a new insurer. The cost of your insurer refusing to cover a trampoline liability claim would almost certainly outweigh any costs associated with changing your policy.

Lemanski also recommends raising your personal liability limit and purchasing personal umbrella insurance. A personal umbrella policy typically costs between $150 and $300 per year and provides liability coverage with high limits that frequently begin at $1 million.

How can homeowners avoid trampoline claims altogether?

The best way to ensure you're covered is to avoid an accident in the first place. Lemanski advises trampoline owners to take as many precautions as possible, such as:

• Installing netting around the trampoline to reduce the possibility of someone falling off.
• The trampoline should be placed away from concrete and fences.
• Making certain you know who is on it. "Don't let eight of your neighborhood kids play on it with your kid because it's a recipe for disaster," Lemanski advises.