If you grew up in the 1980s, you probably remember the trampoline situation. No net. No padding on the springs. Maybe a rusty frame your neighbor’s dad picked up at a garage sale. The landing zone was whatever patch of dirt happened to be nearby, and adult supervision meant someone occasionally glanced out the kitchen window between commercials.
We survived — mostly — but the emergency rooms were busy. Trampoline-related ER visits nearly tripled through the 1990s, which makes sense when you consider that the previous generation’s safety philosophy was essentially “land somewhere soft and walk it off.”
Things are better now. Safety nets exist. Padding exists. We have collectively agreed that springs probably should not be exposed. But trampolines are still one of the items insurance companies watch most closely, and a lot of homeowners are genuinely surprised to learn what their policy does — and does not — cover.
Before your backyard becomes the neighborhood bounce zone this summer, here is what you should know.
Not to be downer, but your insurance company is not impressed by nostalgia
To your kids, a trampoline is the greatest thing in the yard. To your insurance company, it is a liability magnet with a long paper trail.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates over 100,000 people are treated in emergency rooms each year for trampoline injuries — and about 500 of those result in permanent neurological damage. Insurance carriers have done that math, and it has shaped how they write policies.
Some companies allow trampolines without any special conditions. Some require safety nets, fenced yards, or locked gates. Some exclude trampoline-related injuries entirely. And some simply will not insure a home that has one.
The only way to know where your policy stands is to ask your agent — before someone gets hurt, not after.
A quick note about aerial imagery and underwriting: Insurance companies are getting much better at seeing what is on a property without ever stepping through the gate. Many carriers now use aerial imagery, satellite photos, drones, and data tools during underwriting and renewal reviews to identify property features and potential hazards. That can include roof condition, overhanging trees, pools, solar panels, debris, and yes — trampolines. So if you are thinking, “Well, maybe I just won’t mention the trampoline,” that plan may have about the same success rate as an unsupervised 80s backflip. Hiding or failing to disclose a trampoline can create problems later, including coverage questions, underwriting issues, non-renewal, or even a denied claim depending on the policy and carrier. The better move is simple: be upfront with your agent, understand your carrier’s rules, and make sure your coverage matches what is actually in your backyard.
Tell your agent before the neighborhood kids find out
One of the most common and expensive mistakes homeowners make is buying a trampoline and never mentioning it to their insurance agent. If your carrier has a restriction you did not know about, you will find out at the worst possible moment.
If you added a trampoline since your last policy review, pick up the phone. A five-minute conversation now is significantly better than a claim denial conversation later.
Safety features matter more than you might think
Modern trampolines are genuinely safer than what the 80s generation grew up with — and insurance companies want to see that you are using that safety equipment. Most carriers that allow trampolines expect to see a net enclosure, padded springs and frame, a level surface, and a fenced yard with a working gate latch.
Before summer gets going, do a quick inspection. Check the net, padding, springs, mat, ladder, and the frame. If anything looks worn, stretched, or sun-damaged after last season, replace it. Attempting a backflip onto a three-year-old mat that has seen four Colorado winters is not a risk worth taking.
When a guest gets hurt, it gets complicated
If your own child bounces off and twists an ankle, that is stressful. When a neighbor’s kid does it, it can turn into a liability claim — and that is where homeowners policies vary considerably.
For insurance purposes, trampolines are classified as an “attractive nuisance,” which means they can draw children onto your property even when you did not invite them — and you may bear some responsibility for what happens next. Your personal liability coverage may help in that situation, but depending on your carrier and policy language, trampoline injuries might be treated differently than other claims.
It is worth reviewing your liability limits and checking whether your policy includes medical payments coverage. And if you have a trampoline, a pool, a dog, or a teenager with a driver’s license, an umbrella policy is probably a conversation worth having. It provides extra liability protection above your home and auto policies, and it is usually more affordable than people expect.
Set the rules before the first jump
Here is where we can all agree: the 80s approach of “figure it out” is not the move. A clear set of rules — shared with every kid who uses the trampoline — makes a real difference.
The basics: one jumper at a time, no flips, no roughhousing, no jumping without an adult present, no shoes, no wet mat, and the safety net closed every single time. Yes, even when someone is just getting on for “one quick bounce.”
About three-quarters of all trampoline injuries happen when two or more kids are jumping at the same time, which is the statistic you pull out when your child argues that two people at once is totally fine.
Colorado summers and flying trampolines — a well-documented combination
This section requires a moment of honesty about what wind can do to an unanchored trampoline, because the news coverage on this topic is genuinely remarkable.
In August 2024, a sudden gust of wind sent a trampoline flying over a two-story home in northern Alabama, and the whole thing was captured on a doorbell camera across the street. AccuWeather covered a nearly identical incident, also in Alabama, where high winds blew a trampoline over a house and deposited it in the driveway — with no injuries, which the homeowner seemed almost surprised by.
It gets more dramatic internationally. During a major UK storm, flying trampolines ended up wedged between a shop and a bus stop, and two others landed on active train tracks near Aylesbury — requiring a train to stop while crews cleared them off the rails.
In Colorado, where a sunny afternoon can turn into a serious hailstorm by 3pm, this is not a hypothetical concern. Anchor your trampoline. Bring loose accessories inside before storms. Inspect everything after severe weather, and do not let kids jump on a mat or net that took a hail hit without checking it first.
Questions to ask your agent before summer gets away from you
- Does my homeowners policy allow trampolines?
- Are trampoline-related injuries covered or excluded?
- Are safety nets, fencing, or locked gates required?
- What is my personal liability limit, and is it enough?
- Do I have medical payments coverage?
- Should I consider an umbrella policy?
- What happens if a neighbor’s child uses the trampoline without permission?
Keep the fun — just reduce the surprises
Look, nobody is suggesting you replicate the 1980s experience. The goal is not to wrap everything in bubble wrap either. The goal is to make sure your family knows the rules, your setup is as safe as it can reasonably be, and your insurance coverage actually matches what is happening in your backyard.
Before the kids start jumping, reach out to One Street Insurance Group for a quick homeowners insurance review. We can help you understand how your policy treats trampolines, whether your liability limits are ready for backyard season, and whether there are options that give you better peace of mind — so this summer stays fun, and the only things flying through the air are kids who land exactly where they are supposed to.
The 80s kids in your neighborhood are already out there. Make sure your coverage is keeping up with them.
About the Author
Arthur Blaszczyszyn is the founder of One Street Insurance Group, where he helps individuals, families, and business owners better understand their insurance options with practical advice and real-world perspective. Arthur believes insurance does not have to be intimidating, confusing, or boring—especially when it connects to everyday life, backyard fun, and the occasional reminder that gravity is undefeated. As someone who was less than graceful jumping on trampolines in the 80s, Arthur can confirm that his style was less “Olympic gymnast” and a little more “laundry basket falling down the stairs.” Today, he prefers helping clients bounce back from life’s surprises with the right coverage in place.
AI Disclosure
This blog was created with a little help from AI, which means I had a digital assistant help organize my thoughts, polish the wording, and keep the ideas bouncing in the right direction. The final message, opinions, and questionable 80s trampoline memories are all mine.
And yes, back in the 80s, trampoline safety was a little different. There were fewer safety nets, more tube socks, and a general belief that “walk it off” was a complete medical plan. So while AI helped with the writing, the life experience behind this one is very real.
No robots were harmed in the making of this blog. No 80s knees were fully restored either.
