Hotel Insurance

The difference between hotel and guesthouse insurance lies mainly in the size and nature of the business. This will affect the level of cover required and the specific risks insured. Both typically provide cover for property damage, liability claims, business interruption and guest property loss. The size will determine the level of coverage and the cost. Hotel protection is usually more comprehensive and can include higher risks and a broader range of activities and facilities. Guesthouse insurance is more streamlined for a smaller business.

An effective way to find a cheaper hotel insurance quote is to compare multiple quotes. Simply fill in our online form, and a wide range of reputable insurance providers will provide you with quotes to compare. They can provide quotes relevant to your hotel’s needs. This makes it easier to review your options and choose the best fit for your business.

While hotel policies offer broad coverage, there are things that typically aren’t included.

• General wear and tear that occurs in the hotel through the standard use of facilities. 
• Damage from negligence or pre-existing damage that existed before the policy began won’t be covered.
• Uninsured events and facilities. For example, if you haven’t specified a specific events room or self-catering unit on your policy, it might not be covered
• Illegal activities and certain types of guests, like those placed by the Department of Social Services, may also not be covered. For higher-risk guests, you’ll probably need additional cover.

No, not in itself. However, there are aspects of hotel coverage that are mandatory by law, like employers’ liability insurance. Public liability insurance, buildings insurance or business interruption cover are not mandatory by law, but are considered an industry standard. If you have a mortgage or if you’re a member of a professional body, you may well be expected to have specific liability covers.

Yes, absolutely. Most insurers offer flexible insurance packages, allowing you to choose the types and levels of cover that best match your property, operations and risk profile. You start by selecting your core cover, like buildings and liability insurance, and then add extra protection where you feel there are gaps. As your business evolves, you can review and update your policy as your needs change to ensure it continues to provide the right level of protection.

That usually depends on the complexity of your request. For standard insurance for a hotel, you often receive quotes within minutes by using our online form. If your requirements are more bespoke and you need specialised coverage, you may need to wait for insurers to fully assess your needs or gather more information so that they can give you an accurate quote.

1. As soon as something happens, take clear photos and videos of the damage or the scene. Note the date, time, and any important details, like witnesses.
2. Notify your insurance company as soon as possible and fill out their claims form. You’ll typically be required to attach any supporting evidence.
3. Your insurer may want to assess the damage or ask for more information. Make sure to cooperate with their requests.
4. Once your claim is approved, your insurer will arrange payment or repairs per your policy terms.

If you serve alcohol at your hotel, you must hold a valid alcohol licence. Losing this licence can result in significant revenue loss, as you would no longer be able to sell alcohol to your guests. Serving alcohol also increases your risk profile with greater potential for alcohol-related incidents or injuries involving customers or staff. Because of these risks, your hotel policy should ideally cover them. Not all hotel policies cover alcohol-related liabilities, so you may need to take out additional cover for this. It’s important to disclose alcohol sales to your insurer to avoid rejected claims.