When Tragedy Strikes: Child Drowns in Vacation Rental Pool

Sep 10

Pools attract bookings but they also carry some of the gravest risks in short-term rentals.

Vacation rental pool involved in child drowning incident and liability claim

Vacation Rental Pool Drowning Liability Insurance Claim Example

The Incident

A child drowned in a vacation rental pool. The family sued the property owner and manager for wrongful death, alleging negligence in pool safety.

The Gap

Wrongful death claims are among the most devastating — financially and emotionally. Traditional homeowner’s coverage almost always excludes business-related guest incidents.

The Cost

Multi-million-dollar lawsuit
Irreparable emotional toll
Business reputation ruined

How Wister Insurance® Coverage Helps

Wister’s general liability coverage responds to catastrophic incidents, including wrongful death claims. Defense costs and judgments are handled by the policy, protecting both the business and the individuals behind it.

Takeaway

Even with safety precautions, accidents happen. Wister ensures you’re protected from the unthinkable.

Note: Media reports show that over 100 children drown at short-term rentals annually.

See how Wister covers hosts against the most serious claims on our What’s Included? page.

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/