I accidentally flooded my hotel room due to an overflowing tub. Will my renters insurance cover this?
While staying at a hotel, I decided to take a bath. I left the room to watch TV in the suite’s living room and completely forgot about the running water. It ended up running for about 30 minutes, causing a flood in the bathroom and some water damage on the carpet.
When I noticed the issue, I tried to clean it up with towels, but the hotel staff already received reports of water damage from the floor below. Maintenance came to assess the situation, started the cleanup, and moved me to a different room. They mentioned that they would evaluate the damage and have their risk team follow up with me.
I have renters insurance with $100,000 in personal liability coverage. Since this was an accidental event, would this be covered under Personal Liability? Does the coverage extend to hotel stays?
Should I wait for the hotel to send me an invoice for the damages before I file a claim with my insurance, or would it be better to contact my insurance provider first?
I appreciate any advice or insight you can offer. Thank you!
It sounds like a stressful situation! In general, renters insurance typically provides coverage for personal liability, which can help if you’re found liable for damage to someone else’s property. Since you accidentally caused water damage to the hotel, your liability coverage may apply in this case.
Here are a few steps you might consider taking:
Review Your Policy: Check your renters insurance policy for specific language regarding coverage for accidental damage caused to third-party properties, such as hotels. Make sure that it covers incidents while you are staying in a rented property.
Contact Your Insurer: It’s usually advisable to contact your insurance carrier as soon as possible to report the incident. They can guide you on whether this situation would be covered and what steps to take.
Wait for Assessment: You may want to wait for the hotel to provide you with an invoice or an assessment of the damages. This can help you understand the total amount that may be claimed and is usually useful information for your insurer.
Document Everything: Take photos of the damage and keep any documentation from the hotel, including your communications with them regarding the incident.
Follow Up with the Hotel: Stay in touch with the hotel regarding their assessment and how they plan to proceed.
Make sure to provide as much information as possible to your insurance company when you file your claim. Good luck, and I hope everything gets resolved smoothly!