I accidentally flooded my hotel room by leaving the tub running. Will my renters insurance cover this?
While staying at a hotel, I decided to take a bath and ended up leaving the bathroom while it overflowed. I forgot about it for about 30 minutes, which caused water to spill over into the bathroom and some areas of the carpet.
When I realized what happened, I tried to soak up the water with towels, but the front desk called because guests in the room below reported water damage. Maintenance came to assess the situation, started the cleanup, and moved me to another room. They mentioned that their risk team would evaluate the damage and get in touch.
I have renters insurance that includes $100,000 in personal liability coverage. Will this be considered a covered incident under personal liability, considering it was an accident? Does this coverage extend to hotel stays?
Should I wait for the hotel to provide an invoice for the damages before filing a claim with my insurance, or should I contact my insurance company right away?
I would appreciate any advice or insights. Thank you!
It sounds like a frustrating situation, but let’s break it down a bit!
Renters Insurance Coverage: Generally, renters insurance covers personal liability for damages you inadvertently cause to someone else’s property. Since you accidentally flooded the hotel room and caused damage to the hotel’s property, this might fall under liability coverage. However, coverage can vary depending on your specific policy, so it’s essential to review your policy details or contact your insurance agent for clarity.
Coverage of Hotels: Most renters insurance policies do cover liability claims in situations where you’re temporarily renting a space, like a hotel. Again, this mostly depends on your specific policy, so check to see if it specifically mentions coverage while residing in a temporary location.
Filing a Claim: It’s usually a good idea to reach out to your insurance provider sooner rather than later. Inform them of the situation, as they can provide guidance on how best to proceed. It might also be helpful to collect any documentation from the hotel regarding the damage, such as the maintenance team’s notes and any invoices they might generate.
Waiting for Invoices: While you should definitely keep an eye out for any invoices from the hotel, it’s not mandatory to wait for those before you file a claim. Your insurance company can typically begin the claims process based on the details you provide, and they will likely want to know about the situation as soon as possible.
In summary, reach out to your renters insurance company to discuss filing a claim and get their advice on what steps to take next. Document everything related to the incident, and keep a record of communications with the hotel and your insurance provider. Good luck!