CBIZ INNKEEPERS INSURANCE BLOG

Insights and tips on how to protect your inn or bed & breakfast, giving you and your guests peace of mind.

Ward, Hayden
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Innkeepers Liability Insurance Explained

Liability of an innkeeper

No matter what safety precautions you have in place or how well you maintain your inn, a guest or an employee could become injured or claim that your negligence caused damage to their property at any time.

It is not unheard of for guests or employees to file lawsuits claiming that the inn owner was negligent, did not live up to a legal standard of care, or was somehow responsible for their injuries. If you are named as the responsible party in such a suit, you need to defend yourself against the charges.

What Innkeepers Liability Insurance Covers

Bed and breakfasts, inns and lodges all have routine up-keep measures, and risks are not always foreseeable. Homeowners’ and other types of insurance policies typically exclude liability for these types of injuries when they occur as a result of business activity. In addition, without the right coverage, if a guest is injured during their stay, you can be held personally responsible, and your assets could be at risk.

Due to the high number of individuals entering and exiting the premises, liability exposures are significant. Something as simple as a wet floor or an uneven surface can lead to costly insurance claims following an incident.

If your inn has an on-site restaurant, gift shop, or offers room service, food and product liability can be a considerable concern. In the event one of your guests accidentally ingests a foreign object found in one of your menu items, your Inn could face legal ramifications and suffer irreversible reputational damage.

Casualty Insurance, also known as Commercial General Liability Insurance, covers a third-party liability claim unless there is a specific exclusion. It provides coverage to any business for bodily or personal injury and property damage that might be caused by the business’ operations. The insurance company provides a lawyer and pays for your defense.

Liability Protection: Your First Line of Defense Against Lawsuits

It is expensive, time-consuming and emotionally taxing to have to defend yourself against a lawsuit. Even if the guest is ultimately unsuccessful in proving that you were at fault, you may still be responsible for paying attorneys’ fees and court costs, not to mention your time and the frustration you experience in the process.

When you have adequate innkeepers insurance, which includes liability protection for personal injury claims and limited coverage for damage to your guests’ property, you can have peace of mind knowing you have some protection against lawsuits. You won’t need to personally foot the bill for defending the suit or for paying any damages the court awards to the plaintiff.

Reduce Your Liability Risks

Of course, it’s important to make sure you are doing your part to mitigate risks; liability protection doesn’t eliminate your responsibility to your guests or employees. However, it can be comforting to know that you have insurance coverage in the event you experience the unexpected.

Rest easy knowing that you have comprehensive innkeepers liability coverage. Connect with one of our CBIZ Innkeepers Insurance experts today!

This blog may contain scenarios that are provided as examples only. Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy issued. The information provided is general in nature and may be affected by changes in law or the interpretation of such laws. The reader is advised to contact a professional prior to taking any action based upon this information.

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CBIZ Innkeepers Insurance, a division of CBIZ Insurance Services, Inc., is the largest insurer of innkeeper businesses in the United States. As part of an $850 million New York Stock Exchange traded company (CBZ), we developed a specific policy coverage to meet the needs for inns and bed & breakfasts, and the amenities offered by these businesses. Our policy is underwritten by an A.M. Best Rated A++ (Superior) company.

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