What If You Rent a Bounce House and a Kid Gets Hurt?

It was a backyard birthday party to remember—until it wasn’t.

Lydia had rented a bounce house for her son’s 7th birthday in their Oklahoma City neighborhood. Dozens of kids took turns jumping, flipping, and giggling. But by late afternoon, one kid landed awkwardly, spraining his ankle.

The parents were understanding—at first. Then came the medical bill. And the question Lydia never saw coming:
​
“Does your home insurance cover this?”

get the best okc home insurance!

Renting Party Equipment? Know What You’re Taking On

Backyard inflatables, like bounce houses, dunk tanks, and even rented water slides, seem harmless enough. But accidents happen—and when they do, they don’t always come with a waiver or a refund.

And here's the kicker:

​your home insurance might not cover the injuries. Not always.

When Home Insurance Covers Party Accidents

In some cases, your personal liability coverage within your homeowners policy can help. This typically includes:

• Medical payments to others (up to the limit) for minor injuries that happen on your property
  
• Legal defense if someone sues you for negligence
  
• Liability coverage if you're found responsible for the accident
  

But coverage isn’t a guarantee—especially if the activity is considered high-risk.

What Could Limit or Void Coverage

Insurance companies often exclude certain activities or situations. You could lose coverage if:

• The bounce house isn’t properly secured or supervised
  
• It was rented from an unlicensed or uninsured vendor
  
• You signed a rental contract that shifts all liability to you
  
• The injury resulted from horseplay or misuse
  

And in some cases, if you charge guests to attend or host frequent events, your insurer could say you're operating a business—voiding your personal liability altogether.

​Medical Payments vs. Liability: What’s the Difference?

Here’s a breakdown to help you understand your policy if something like this happens:

Medical Payments Coverage

• No need to prove fault
• Pays small amounts quickly (usually $1,000–$5,000)
• Intended to smooth things over without a lawsuit

Personal Liability Coverage

• Comes into play if you're legally responsible
• Covers attorney fees, court costs, and settlements
• Often starts around $100,000–$300,000 in coverage

​Real-World Examples from Oklahoma Homeowners

1. Broken Arm on a Trampoline:
A guest’s child broke his arm during a party at a home in Edmond. The homeowner’s insurance denied coverage because trampolines were excluded in their policy.
2. Inflatable Slide Collapse:
A rented slide deflated with a child on it at a home in Norman. The vendor’s insurance helped—but the homeowner had signed a contract accepting full responsibility, so their own policy kicked in for part of the medical costs.
3. Backyard Game Injury:
A neighbor tripped on an outdoor extension cord during a backyard movie night in Moore. The homeowner’s liability policy paid for their ER visit and physical therapy.

What You Should Do Before Your Next Backyard Bash

Hosting a party is fun—until someone gets hurt. Here’s how to stay protected:

• Call your insurance agent before the party and ask what’s covered
  
• Read your policy for exclusions like trampolines, inflatables, or events with alcohol
  
• Check the vendor’s insurance—get proof of liability and ask if they cover accidents
  
• Supervise rented equipment and follow safety guidelines to a T
  
• Increase your liability limits or consider umbrella insurance if you entertain often
  

Don’t Leave It to Chance

Your home insurance policy might help--or it might leave you stuck with a five-figure bill. If you’re unsure where your current coverage stands, that’s where we come in.

At Oklahoma Insurance Professionals, we help Oklahoma City homeowners understand their policies before the unexpected happens. As an independent agency, we’ll review your current coverage and help you find better protection if you need it.

Hosting a party this summer? Let’s make sure you’re covered—before the bounce house goes up.

get the best okc Home Insurance!

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Scott Godwin
Founder

Oklahoma Insurance Professionals LLC serves Oklahoma City and the surrounding Oklahoma communities by protecting the people we work with just like we protect our own family members. Home insurance, auto insurance, business insurance, and more. We can help you find the coverage you need. ​​