Comparison
Innkeeper’s Liability vs General Liability
General liability covers injuries and damage to others. Innkeeper’s liability covers guest property in your care.
General liability responds to bodily injury and damage to other people’s property caused by your operations, but it usually excludes property in your care, custody or control. Innkeeper’s liability fills that gap for guest property the lodging business is legally responsible for, within state statutory limits; garagekeepers covers guests’ cars.
Lodging is one of the few businesses that routinely holds customers’ property: luggage, valuables, coats, parcels and cars. Standard general liability was not designed for that, which is why innkeeper’s liability exists.
Most states also have innkeeper statutes that cap liability for guest property when a safe is offered and notice is posted. The caps and conditions differ by state; see your state’s hotel and lodging page.
Innkeeper’s liability
Guest property in the lodging operator’s care.
Strengths
- Responds to theft or loss of guest property
- Aligns with state innkeeper statutes
- Covers checked luggage and deposits
Where it falls short
- Limits often modest
- Does not cover guest injuries
- Does not cover vehicles
Best for
Any hotel, motel, inn, hostel or B&B.
General liability
Injuries and damage to others.
Strengths
- Covers guest injuries throughout the property
- Covers damage to others’ property
- Includes defense costs
Where it falls short
- Usually excludes property in your care, custody or control
- Does not cover vehicles in your custody
Best for
Every lodging business.
Side by side
| Innkeeper’s liability | General liability | |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Guest property the operator is legally liable for | Bodily injury and damage to others |
| Care-custody-control | Designed for it | Usually excluded |
| Statutory caps | Works alongside state innkeeper limits | Not relevant |
| Vehicles | Not covered | Not covered when in your custody |
| Typical claim | Stolen laptop or lost luggage | Guest slip and fall |
| Who needs it | Lodging businesses | All businesses |
The care, custody or control gap
General liability policies typically exclude damage to property in the insured’s care, custody or control. For a hotel, that describes much of the guest property it handles. Innkeeper’s liability is written specifically to respond to that exposure.
Garagekeepers for vehicles
Cars parked by a valet or held in a hotel-run garage are another custody exposure. Neither innkeeper’s liability nor general liability reliably covers them; garagekeepers coverage does.
How to decide
Map custody points
List every way staff take guest property, from bell stands to coat checks.
Check your state rules
Confirm safe and notice requirements on your state’s lodging page and with counsel.
Add garagekeepers if you handle cars
Valet and keys-held parking need it.
The bottom line
General liability and innkeeper’s liability do different jobs. Most lodging businesses need both, plus garagekeepers if they park cars.
Frequently asked questions
Coverage covered here
Industries this affects
Keep comparing
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