Property Claims
The most common types of hotel property claims are: general water damage, sprinkler water damage, hail, wind, and fire. These five causes account for two-thirds of hotel property claims. Fortunately, they are commonly covered by first party property insurance.
First party property coverage is for damage to a policyholder’s own property, not for damage caused to the property of others. First party property coverage comes in two basic types: Named Perils Policies and All-Risk Policies. First party property coverage policies are where most policy holders find their business interruption coverage.
Business interruption coverage typically covers physical damage at an insured location that results from a covered peril and causes business income loss. There are two types of business interruptions: Partial and Total. In the last 15 years, many more policies cover partial interruptions. These policies will pay for lost income (after offsets for cost avoidance) that would have been earned during the period of restoration. The period covered is until the premises are or should have been restored to operation. Also, a financial allowance is often available to hire an outside CPA to calculate the loss.
Guest Liability Claims
The most common types of hotel guest liability claims are: slips and falls, exposure or contact with something that injures, being struck by or against something. These three causes account for more than half of all hotel guest liability claims. Such claims are often covered by a comprehensive policy sold as Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance.
Third party coverage in the form of CGL insurance is coverage for a policyholder’s liability to others. This coverage can pay for the cost of lawsuits brought against the policyholder. If a claim is potentially covered and not excluded by the policy, the insurance company will pay for a lawyer to defend the policyholder. If a claim is actually covered, the insurance company will also pay the policyholder’s liability after trial or settlement.
A CGL policy has a limit of liability. For a policyholder facing a claim, there are usually two limits that are relevant: 1) the “per occurrence” (sometimes “per claim”) limit; and 2) the“aggregate” limit. Note: defense costs are usually outside the limit of liability.
CGL policies typically require that the policyholder give prompt notice of a potentially covered claim and that the policyholder cooperate with the insurance company in its investigation of the claim and its defense of the policyholder. Insurance companies sometimes threaten to deny coverage if they do not get all the cooperation they want. But there are limits on the extent of the policy holder’s duty to cooperate: there is no duty to cooperate after a denial of coverage and a defense under a reservation of rights can limit the extent of the duty to cooperate. Policy holders should be mindful of privilege issues as well. CGL policies have exclusions from coverage that apply in certain circumstances.
Workers Compensation Claims
The most common type of workers compensation claims are: being struck by or against something, slips and falls, and manual materials handling. These three causes account for more than two-thirds of all workers comp claims. The insurance available for such claims is usually confined to workers compensation insurance. A policyholder can reduce workers comp claims with the following techniques: perform pre-employment checks/physicals; limit housekeepers to cleaning 15 rooms per day; require employees to use equipment and procedures that reduce injuries (mattress lifters, light vacuum cleaners, proper work shoes, cart load limits); implement are turn to work program.
Conclusion
The most common claims in the hospitality industry usually have corresponding insurance coverage that will soften the blow. Assess your risk and make sure you have the right coverage to manage it. If you have difficulties with an insurance company after a claim, seek advice and counsel about how to proceed.
About AndersonKill
Anderson Kill was founded in 1969 on the principles of integrity, excellence in the practice of law, and straightforward solutions to complex legal issues. The firm’s attorneys approach engagements aggressively, and have earned a reputation for combining corporate polish with pugnacity. Based in New York City, the firm also has offices in Philadelphia, PA, Stamford, CT, Washington, DC, Newark, NJ and Los Angeles, CA, but the attorneys travel around the country and around the world to handle all types of matters. Anderson Kill attorneys work together, leveraging creativity and legal and business acumen to deliver cost-effective resolutions to clients’ problems. Many of the firm’s professionals are recognized experts in their practice areas, leaders and active participants in professional associations, and are frequently invited to speak to business organizations.
Leave a Reply