Cleaner’s Car Crash Becomes the Manager’s Problem

You might think you’re not liable for third-party vendors. But in the eyes of the law, if they’re connected to your business, you could be.

Cleaner car crash linked to vacation rental operations and liability insurance claim

Vacation Rental Contractor Liability Insurance Claim Example


The Incident


A cleaner was driving to a property in an uninsured vehicle when they crashed into another vehicle, leaving the other driver seriously injured. The victim’s auto insurance carrier sued the vacation rental manager, arguing that, even though the cleaner was not a W-2 employee, the cleaner was working on behalf of the management business. Every state has different employment laws, and many are cracking down on the 1099 approach.

The Gap


One in seven U.S. drivers is uninsured. Standard policies for managers and co-hosts often don’t extend liability coverage to non-owned autos.

The Cost

  • Six-figure injury claim settlement

  • Legal fees to defend the case

  • Strained relationship with the cleaner and the property owner

How Wister Insurance® Coverage Helps


Wister’s policy provides $1,000,000 in non-owned auto liability, helping protect managers and co-hosts when lawsuits arise from third-party vendors driving on behalf of the business.

Takeaway


If you coordinate cleaners, maintenance, or vendors, their risks can quickly become yours when they're on the road. Wister helps keep you protected.

Note: One in seven (14%) of drivers in the U.S. are uninsured.


Learn how Wister protects vacation rental managers and co-hosts beyond the basics on our coverage page.


*While Wister cannot disclose details of actual lawsuits or settlements, the examples shared here reflect real claim scenarios and hypotheticals designed to illustrate the protection our policies provide.

Melia M. McDaris

Melia McDaris is the Marketing Manager at Wister Insurance®, where she leads brand strategy, digital marketing, and content across the company’s portfolio. Her work focuses on translating complex insurance concepts into clear, approachable messaging that resonates with short-term rental managers and co-hosts nationwide. Melia plays a key role in shaping Wister’s voice and visibility, ensuring the brand remains trustworthy, modern, and human-first in a highly regulated industry.

https://wister.insure/
Next
Next

A Guest’s Dog Attack Cost $1 Million