When Discrimination Claims Hit Your Inbox.

Managing guest communication isn’t just about making them feel welcome, it can also expose you to legal risk. Discrimination lawsuits are on the rise in the vacation rental industry.

Vacation rental discrimination complaint leading to legal and liability exposure

Vacation Rental Discrimination Liability Insurance Claim Example


The Incident


A co-host denied a booking request due to occupancy concerns. The guest alleged that the denial was based on race and filed a discrimination claim.

The Gap


Many hosts don’t realize that their personal umbrella or landlord policy won’t defend against discrimination claims. Even if the host did nothing wrong, defense costs can spiral.


The Cost

  • $25,000 in attorney fees before the case was dismissed

  • Stress, reputation damage, and time lost in court

  • Tense interactions with booking platforms enforcing their anti-discrimination policies


How Wister Insurance® Coverage Helps


The Wister policy includes discrimination coverage, which will extend to most discrimination claims. That means managers and co-hosts have a safety net if they’re accused unfairly.

Takeaway


Even if you manage properties fairly and professionally, you can still face expensive accusations. The right policy ensures you don’t have to fight them alone.

Note: Discrimination lawsuits are costly, averaging $40,000 – $300,000.


Protect yourself against unexpected legal challenges and get coverage with 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/
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