Motels

Description of operations: Motels provide lodging to the general public. Rooms may be rented on a short-term or long-term basis. Motels may offer a bar or lounge (sometimes with live entertainment), full-service restaurant, or meeting facilities for seminars and conferences. There may be laundry services available to guests. Limited recreational facilities may be available. Motels tend to be less than four stories high with doors opening to the outside rather than the inside of the buildings.

Common Insurance Terms

Property exposures are due to the high combustibility of contents and the multiple sources of ignition. Electrical wiring, plumbing, cooling, heating, and laundering systems must be adequate and meet current code. Hard-wired smoke detectors should be installed in all guest rooms and common areas. Cooking equipment must meet all NFPA requirements. Flammables should be stored properly. If there is a pool, chemicals used to treat it should be stored separately. Business Interruption exposure can be substantial due to lack of backup facilities and the seasonality of some motel operations.

Equipment breakdown exposures include breakdown losses to the heating and air conditioning systems, cooking equipment, laundry equipment, hot water systems, electrical control panels, and other apparatus. Breakdown and loss of use could result in a significant loss, both direct and under time element, if replacement parts are unavailable or repair time is lengthy.

Crime exposure includes employee dishonesty and money and securities. References and background checks should be conducted on all employees. Cashiers’ drawers should be kept stripped with regular deposits made throughout the day. A minimal amount of cash should be kept overnight. Monetary transactions must be monitored and audited on a regular basis to prevent employee theft. Money-handling responsibilities should be separated, with no employee handling both receivables and disbursements. Guest property coverage is important to protect guests’ property from theft by employees, other guests, or trespassers. Coverage is provided for each room and for items in lock deposit box. Controls should be in place to verify guest identity before permitting access to lock boxes.

Inland marine exposure comes from accounts receivable if the motel bills for services, computers, and valuable papers and records for contracts, guests’ and suppliers’ information. Duplicates must be made and stored off site for easy restoration. There may be commercial articles floater for cameras, audiovisual equipment, and musical instruments, contractors’ equipment for exterior maintenance, or a special floater for items used off site.

Premises liability exposure is high due to the number of guests and visitors. The motel should meet all life safety codes to assure guest safety. To prevent trips, slips, and falls, the motel must be well maintained with floor covering in good condition. The number of exits must be sufficient and well marked, with backup lighting in case of power failure. Steps should have handrails, be well-lighted, marked, and in good repair. Balconies should be regularly inspected and maintained. Swimming pools, exercise facilities, and playgrounds should be limited to guest use only, and be properly maintained. Parking lots and sidewalks need to be in good repair, with snow and ice removed, and generally level. Access to rooms should be through an electronic keying system that changes codes for each guest to prevent unauthorized access. Employees who have access to universal access codes and cards should be monitored for the protection of the guests. Personal injury losses may occur due to alleged wrongful eviction, invasion of privacy, or discrimination. 

Products liability exposures can be high if the motel has a restaurant or lounge. Employees should be trained in the proper handling of consumables to prevent foreign objects in food, food poisoning, or the spread of other transmissible diseases. Other product liability exposures can arise from vending machines and gift shops.

Automobile exposure is generally limited to hired and nonowned liability for employees running errands. If there are owned vehicles, such as those used for servicing the property, any driver should have an appropriate driver’s license and an acceptable MVR. Vehicles must be maintained and records kept in a central location. Some motels may contract with a service to transport clients to and from their premises. If so, it is important to determine the contractual relationship between the motel and the transportation service.

Workers compensation exposure is moderate. Cleaning and maintenance operations can result in lung, eye or skin irritations and reactions. Slips and falls, back injury, hernias, sprains and strains from lifting or working at awkward positions are common. The parking lot and sidewalk snow removal may be handled by employees or outside contractors. If employees are responsible, there are potentials for strain and fall injuries. Food preparation operations can result in cuts, scrapes, and burns. Interaction with guests can be difficult. Employees should be trained in dealing with rowdy guests. Animals owned by guests can bite, scratch, or kick workers.

Minimum recommended coverage

Building, Business Personal Property, Business Income and Extra Expense, Equipment Breakdown, Employee Dishonesty, Guests Property, Money and Securities, Accounts Receivable, Computers, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Employee Benefits, Umbrella, Hired and Nonownership Auto, Workers Compensation

Other coverages to consider

Earthquake, Flood, Computer Fraud, Forgery, Commercial Articles Floater, Contractors Equipment, Special Floater, Cyberliability, Employment-related Practices, Business Auto Liability and Physical Damage, Stop Gap Liability

Reprinted with permission from the Rough Note’s Company copyrighted content.