Breakage of a 15-year-old pool in Laval

Freeze or normal wear and tear? When $15,000 bids deserve a second analysis

A moving wall, cracked sidewalks and two bids totaling $15,000. At first glance, the freeze seemed to be the cause. However, when an insured person reports this type of situation, only a rigorous technical analysis can establish the facts — and the reality can be quite different.

Madame Lavallée has had an in-ground pool for 15 years, but this year the walls of her pool seem to have moved. She also noticed that her sidewalk has a lot of cracks. So she called her insurance company and she also asked 2 pool specialists to come and see her pool.

They told him that it was the frost that caused the walls to move and the sidewalk to break. They therefore offered him to do the repairs for a budget varying between $12,000 and $15,000.

Luckily, his insurance company asked Detecto to go and inspect his pool. Since Detecto has seen over 500 pools per year for over 30 years, the evaluator was able to determine that a portion of the wall was instead affected by the pressure of the waterlogged backfill materials. On the other hand, for another section of the wall that was slightly spaced from the adjacent wall, the cause of the displacement was due to the design and wear and tear of the pool.

The Detecto evaluator also found that the sidewalks were indeed creaked, but in a normal way for their age. The Détecto team was therefore able to determine that the repair budget associated with the disaster was $7,000 and that the balance of the amount requested by the pool specialists was dedicated to the normal maintenance of the pool.

The claims adjuster and Ms. Lavallée are now certain that the causes have been established on the basis of scientifically proven and demonstrable facts (which pool specialists cannot do). They have a comprehensive professional report at hand including a realistic repair budget. A fair settlement, supported by photos and explanations that are easy to understand, can be granted quickly by the expert.

“Detecto's service is exceptional! Starting with a simple email, the team contacted Ms. Lavallée to plan the visit, and then an experienced evaluator completed her inspection and detailed report. With the help of the report, I was able to analyze Ms. Lavallée's contract and make a settlement decision in a few minutes. I had a few questions after receiving the quotes from the pool specialists but Detecto answered me immediately and clearly. Ms. Lavallée is very satisfied with the speed of the settlement; she was able to start her work quickly and enjoy her pool all summer. I think she will recommend our insurance company to her friends! ” - Linda Fournier, Claims adjuster

At Détecto, our expertise in pool inspection has been built over the last 30 years. With more than 15,000 pools inspected, our team has a keen eye and an accurate analysis of the real condition of your pool.

Our neutrality also makes all the difference. We do not sell pools or equipment, which allows us to offer you an objective assessment and tailored recommendations — without conflicts of interest.

Whatever your situation, do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to help you better understand your pool and make the right decisions.