The Icemaker Leak That Soaked $50,000

Sep 28

Even the smallest appliance can cause massive property damage when a short-term rental sits empty.

Vacation rental icemaker leak causing water damage and liability insurance claim

Vacation Rental Water Damage Liability Insurance Claim Example

The Incident

An icemaker leak went unnoticed for days in a vacant vacation rental. Damage totaled $50,000. The owner’s insurance covered the repairs but then sought subrogation against the manager, claiming the manager should have checked the property.

The Gap

Many managers don’t realize they can be held liable by an owner’s insurer, even when they didn’t directly cause the damage.

The Cost

$50,000 subrogation claim
Hours spent in legal defense
Strained manager–owner relationship

How Wister Insurance® Coverage Helps

Wister’s liability coverage provides a safety net when you’re blamed for property damage that wasn’t directly your fault, but could fall under the scope of your business operation.

Takeaway

Subrogation claims are common and costly. With Wister, you won’t be blindsided by an owner’s insurer coming after you.

Get coverage with Wister that protects you from surprise claims.

Short-term rental management insurance for vacation rental managers and co-hosts from Wister Insurance

*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/