Hey, if venting and ranting on this forum makes you feel better then the forum has served a purpose. I had to do that vacant house insurance once but the premium wasn't that astronomical, something like $1600 a year on a $160K home, no pool. But then again that was 13 years ago. I would think being only 3 miles from the old place you could do something to satisfy the requirements of being there and avoiding the extra premium but I'm no insurance person or lawyer. Hope it sells fast.

On the pool. Assuming all the equipment can be made functional by just filling to the right level, I'd be tempted to do just as you're doing. Let it go green. Depending on who eventually buys the place, if they're familiar with pools then they know it's no big deal. If they're not familiar maybe you could put it in the contract that you'll walk them through the cleanup to get them started. I think any reasonable person would understand your situation. You said it needs a new liner. What is wrong with the present one? Just old, faded, tearing? That could change the suggestion.
Keep us posted.
Al