Can a Sauna Void Home Insurance? What Homeowners Need to Know
One of the most common—and most misunderstood—questions homeowners ask before installing a sauna is:
“Will installing a sauna void my home insurance?”
The short answer is reassuring:
No, a sauna does not automatically void your homeowners insurance.
However, there are situations where insurance coverage can be denied if a sauna is installed incorrectly, unpermitted, or in violation of safety standards.
This guide explains:
How home insurance companies view saunas
When a sauna can cause coverage issues
What insurers actually care about
How to install a sauna without risking coverage
Simple steps to protect yourself before and after installation
If you’re planning an indoor or outdoor sauna, this article will help you avoid insurance surprises.
How Home Insurance Companies View Saunas
From an insurance perspective, a sauna is typically classified as:
A permanent home improvement
A fixed electrical appliance (for electric saunas)
An accessory structure (for outdoor saunas)
Insurance companies generally do not prohibit saunas. Many homes already include:
Hot tubs
Fireplaces
Steam showers
Electric heaters
Saunas are treated similarly—as long as they are installed safely and legally.
When a Sauna Can Cause Insurance Problems
While saunas themselves are not an issue, how they are installed absolutely matters.
1. Unpermitted Electrical Work
The most common insurance issue arises when:
Electrical permits were required but not pulled
Work was done improperly or DIY without inspection
If a fire occurs and an insurer discovers:
No permit
Non-code-compliant wiring
Undersized breakers or improper connections
Coverage for that claim may be denied.
Before installation, review our Home Sauna Installation guide to understand permitting requirements.
2. Improper Electrical Installation
Insurance companies care deeply about electrical safety.
Red flags include:
Shared circuits instead of dedicated circuits
Incorrect wire gauge
Missing grounding or bonding
Ignoring manufacturer instructions
Using a properly sized heater and circuit is essential. Our Sauna Heater Size Calculator helps ensure compliance from the start.
3. Wood-Burning Sauna Stoves Indoors
This is a major risk category.
In most jurisdictions:
Indoor wood-burning sauna stoves are prohibited
Solid-fuel appliances require special approvals, chimneys, and fire separation
Installing a wood-burning stove indoors without approval is one of the fastest ways to jeopardize insurance coverage.
Indoor residential saunas should use electric sauna heaters or infrared heaters only.
4. Outdoor Saunas Installed Without Disclosure
Outdoor saunas are often considered accessory structures.
Insurance issues can arise if:
The structure wasn’t disclosed
Property value increased significantly
Electrical service was added without notice
This does not mean outdoor saunas are a problem—it means they should be documented.
You can explore compliant options in our Outdoor Saunas collection.
Indoor vs Outdoor Saunas: Insurance Differences
Indoor Saunas
Indoor saunas are usually:
Covered under your existing dwelling policy
Treated like other fixed home improvements
As long as they are:
Permitted when required
Installed to code
Electrically compliant
They rarely cause insurance issues.
You can browse compliant options in our Indoor Saunas collection.
Outdoor Saunas
Outdoor saunas may require:
A policy update
Coverage under “other structures”
Confirmation of electrical compliance
This is similar to sheds, pool houses, or detached garages.
Does Insurance Go Up After Installing a Sauna?
Usually:
No
Or only a minor adjustment
Factors that could slightly affect premiums:
Increased property value
Detached structures
High-end custom builds
For most homeowners, the cost impact—if any—is minimal.
What Insurance Companies Actually Care About
Insurance providers focus on risk, not lifestyle.
They care about:
Fire risk
Electrical safety
Structural integrity
Compliance with local code
Professional installation or inspection
They generally do not care about:
Sauna temperature
Usage frequency
Health benefits
Sauna brand (as long as it’s listed and compliant)
Infrared Saunas and Insurance Risk
Infrared saunas are often considered lower risk because they:
Operate at lower temperatures
Use lower amperage
Produce minimal moisture
Often plug into standard circuits
This makes them one of the easiest sauna types to insure.
*Haven Of Heat and its affiliates do not provide medical, legal, electrical, building, financial, or professional advice. All content published on this website is for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for advice from qualified professionals.
Always consult a licensed medical provider regarding health-related questions, and consult licensed contractors, electricians, inspectors, or local authorities for installation, electrical, building code, zoning, HOA, or safety requirements. Local codes and regulations vary by jurisdiction.
Individual results from sauna use may vary. No health, performance, or financial outcomes are guaranteed. Product use, installation, and modifications are undertaken at the user’s own risk.
While we strive to keep information accurate and up to date, Haven Of Heat makes no representations or warranties regarding completeness, accuracy, or applicability of the information provided and reserves the right to modify content at any time without notice.
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