Introduction

Canadian hotel, motel, resort, and inn operators face several niche coverage terms that often drive claims severity and contract requirements. Use this FAQ to quickly map each term to the relevant insurance product and confirm where endorsements or sub‑limits may apply. Summit serves hospitality businesses across Canada outside Quebec.

Quick answers for hotel operators

Innkeepers’ Liability

• What it is: Liability for loss or damage to guest property while in the care, custody, or control of the lodging establishment.

• Why it matters: Guest‑property incidents (e.g., theft from rooms or luggage storage) create disputes that standard liability or property wordings may only partially address.

• Where it typically lives: Often scheduled as an endorsement within hospitality packages; complements Commercial General Liability and Commercial Property. See also Hotel Insurance.

• Watch‑outs: Sublimits, theft/mysterious disappearance restrictions, evidence requirements (incident logs), and conditions around safekeeping procedures.

Bedbug/Loss of Attraction

• What it is: Coverage that helps pay for remediation of bedbug infestations and, where offered, lost income due to decreased occupancy following a covered incident.

• Why it matters: Standard property forms commonly exclude vermin/infestation; hotels often need a specific endorsement.

• Where it typically lives: Endorsements tied to Commercial Property and Business Interruption; see Hospitality.

• Watch‑outs: Waiting periods, short indemnity windows, per‑occurrence caps, and mandatory professional remediation.

Assault & Battery (A&B)

• What it is: Coverage for bodily injury claims arising from physical altercations on premises, including incidents involving patrons or staff.

• Why it matters: Base liability or liquor liability may exclude A&B unless specifically added back; venues with bars, lounges, or events are higher exposure.

• Where it typically lives: Buy‑back or sub‑limit within Commercial General Liability and hospitality packages; see Hospitality.

• Watch‑outs: Defense‑cost treatment, sublimits, participant‑to‑participant exclusions, and conditions tied to security procedures.

PCI fines & assessments

• What it is: Coverage for card‑brand fines and assessments following a payment card data compromise (PCI DSS related).

• Why it matters: Hotels process cards across PMS, POS, spa, golf, and F&B—breaches can trigger assessments beyond ordinary data‑breach costs.

• Where it typically lives: As a grant or sub‑limit within Cyber Insurance; pair with strong incident response and MFA across payment systems.

• Watch‑outs: PCI sublimits, panel‑vendor requirements, retroactive dates, and contractual liability limitations.

Coverage map (term → policy)

Practical underwriting checkpoints

• Operations: occupancy mix (business/leisure), on‑site bars/events, third‑party vendors (valet, spa, restaurant), night security, CCTV.

• Risk controls: key card controls, guest‑property procedures, pest‑control contracts, incident documentation, staff training.

• Cyber: payment flows (PMS/POS/gateway), MFA and EDR, encryption/tokenization, PCI DSS attestation cadence.

How Summit helps

• Hospitality expertise with custom packaging: start at Hotel Insurance and Hospitality.

• Product selection and endorsements: General Liability, Commercial Property, Business Interruption, Cyber Insurance.

• Claims advocacy: rapid triage and carrier coordination via Claim Services.

Availability (Canada)

Summit provides hospitality insurance solutions across Canada outside Quebec. For localized support, contact our team to confirm market availability and required underwriting information.

Get a quote or talk to a broker

• Start a quote or request tailored wording comparisons via Contact Summit.

• Already had an incident? Use Claim Services for 24/7 guidance and next steps.