Provided by Anne Walsh, Claims Manager, Aon Affinity Travel Practice
 

Deadly Rouge Wave

A local fishing club booked a fishing trip to Costa Rica through an insured travel agent. The travel agent contacted an insured tour operator who was the exclusive booking agent for the fishing lodge, which provided the captain and the boat. While the group was fishing, one of the boats capsized after being hit by a rogue wave. None of the persons on the boat were wearing life jackets. Three of the four people aboard the boat, which included the captain and his son, drowned. The sole survivor was the decedent’s cousin. The decedent’s estate filed suit against the travel agent and tour operator. 

Indemnity Payments: $0
Expense Payments: Over $325,000
 

Pool Accident

An insured booked a couple to the Caribbean to celebrate their 2nd wedding anniversary.  On the day after their arrival at the hotel, they went to the pool area to relax. They were consuming alcohol and participating in a poolside dancing game. When participants were eliminated from the game, the hotel staff encouraged them to jump into the pool. When the husband was eliminated, he jumped into the pool, but never surfaced; he had hit his head on the pool wall. He was unresponsive when he was pulled from the water. He was transported to the hospital with his wife. It was decided to have him airlifted home to Philadelphia for emergency surgery. Unfortunately, he passed away prior to the airlift.

The insured had a contract with the hotel that included a hold-harmless provision; therefore, the claim was 
tendered to the hotel for handling.

Indemnity Payments: $0
Expense Payments: $0
 

Sprinkler System Mishap

An insured tour operator had a school group staying at a hotel in Times Square.  Two students were in their shared room and one student hung a coat hanger, holding a pair of jeans, on the room’s sprinkler head.  The other student pulled down on the hanger, causing the hotel’s sprinkler system to go off, resulting in damage to both their room and a few adjoining rooms.  The hotel submitted a repair bill to the tour operator.

Indemnity Payments: $6,746
Expense Payments: $0
 

Unscheduled Coffee Break

Over a weekend, an insured was notified by building management that a water leak had occurred at their office that is on the 3rd floor. The water leak was the result of the insured’s coffee machine hose, that was connected to the building’s water supply, breaking, causing water damage to tenants on the 1st and 2nd floors.

Indemnity Payments: $10,909
Expense Payments: $0