Manage episode 522244042 series 2286680
A runaway hose, a rooftop spa, and a driveway that cost $90,000 to fix—small choices can turn a routine stop into a six-figure claim. We dive into the three risks that quietly drain profits for pool professionals: water damage, chemical spills, and water chemistry mistakes. Along the way, we share hard-earned stories and the simple, repeatable habits that keep clients happy, claims rare, and premiums steady.
We break down why adding water seems helpful but often backfires, especially on elevated pools where gravity turns overflows into mudslides and property losses. You’ll learn when to say no, how to reset expectations with homeowners, and why a straightforward “no fill” policy protects both your route and your reputation. For draining, we walk through practical risk controls—drain waivers, documented owner instructions, city code checks, and a named person assigned to shut pumps off—so you’re never guessing eight stories up.
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If you want fewer claims and better retention, this is your playbook for risk management that actually fits a busy route: tighter habits, smarter paperwork, and a culture that screens for pros who care. Subscribe for more practical insights, share this with a fellow pool tech who needs it, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.
• water damage as the top loss driver
• overflow stories from elevated pools and rooftop spas
• drain waivers and shifting responsibility to owners
• city code differences and discharge pitfalls
• chemical spill risks on stained and stamped concrete
• the $90k driveway claim and truck policies
• slowing down on pristine properties and using containment
• water chemistry management and LSI discipline
• documentation for warranties and claim defense
• how screening and education keep rates flat
• ways to join chapters or enroll virtually for coverage
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Chapters
1. Insurance in the Deep End: How UPA Keeps You Afloat (00:00:00)
2. Setting The Three Big Risks (00:03:12)
3. Water Damage Dominates Claim Costs (00:03:33)
4. Overflow Horror: The Tennis Court Mudslide (00:04:29)
5. Rooftop Spa Scare And Near Miss (00:06:13)
6. Eighth-Floor Drain Job Goes Sideways (00:07:35)
7. Risk Management And Drain Waivers (00:09:15)
8. Shifting Away From Filling Customers’ Pools (00:11:44)
9. Why “Just Add Water” Sets Precedent (00:14:00)
10. Removing Water: Permits, Codes, And Waivers (00:15:38)
11. Chemical Spills And Concrete Nightmares (00:17:53)
12. The $90,000 Driveway Lesson (00:19:29)
13. Deck Splatter And Moving Too Fast (00:21:16)
14. Read The Property: Slow Down On Pristine Decks (00:22:23)
15. Water Chemistry Claims And Documentation (00:23:25)
16. Replaster Costs And Equipment Damage (00:25:21)
17. Warranties Lost And Recordkeeping Wins (00:27:27)
18. Rates, Screening, And Better Members (00:29:31)
19. Joining Chapters Or Going Virtual (00:31:26)
20. Why Coverage Matters For Your Route (00:32:59)
21. Final Resources And How To Enroll (00:35:06)
1811 episodes