Innkeeper’s Liability
What Does Innkeeper’s Liability Mean?
Innkeeper’s liability insurance covers motel and hotel operators for liability related to their responsibility for safeguarding guests’ property. These policies typically have a coverage limit of $1,000 per guest, unless the loss results from natural events (such as a hurricane, storm, or tornado), civil unrest, or actions taken by the guests themselves.
Insuranceopedia Explains Innkeeper’s Liability
Liability statutes for innkeepers vary from state to state. For example, in Massachusetts, innkeepers are only liable for losses involving clothing, luggage, and money. However, they are not responsible for items valued over $300 unless the loss involves these specific items. If a guest’s money or jewelry is lost from the hotel’s safety deposit box, the innkeeper is liable for up to $1,000.
In New Mexico, the statute specifies that the hotel is liable for property losses due to theft or staff negligence, with a coverage limit of $1,000, regardless of the item’s nature. However, the hotel is not responsible for valuables that guests failed to store in the safety deposit box.
The statute of limitations applies only if the hotel has met the requirement of clearly displaying notices about the availability of safes. If the hotel does not provide such notices, it is responsible for covering the full value of any damaged or stolen property.
