factual

Who is responsible for procuring and maintaining insurance coverage for a Sonesta Simply Suites franchise?

Sonesta_Simply_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

ay revise from time to time, or otherwise in writing.

You must procure and maintain, at your expense, insurance coverage in the types and amounts we periodically require, in addition to any other insurance that may be required by applicable law, your landlord, your mortgagee, or otherwise. At a minimum, such policies include the following (primary and excess/umbrella policies may be used in any combination as long as the total minimum limit requirements are met):

  • commercial general liability (CGL) insurance for any claims or losses arising or resulting from the operations/premises of the hotel with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and a general aggregate limit not less than $3,000,000; limits shall apply on a per location aggregate basis if the hotel is insured under a blanket policy;
  • liquor liability (applicable only when or if you distribute, sell, serve, or furnish alcoholic beverages) with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence; limits shall apply on a per location aggregate basis if the hotel is insured under a blanket policy;
  • automobile liability insurance including owned, non-owned, and hired vehicles for combined single limits of bodily injury and property damage of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and a general aggregate limit not less than $3,000,000;
  • garage-keeper's liability to the extent that hotel operations include parking operations, with a limit adequate to cover the full actual value of all automobiles that are in your care, custody, and control at any one time;
  • umbrella or excess liability insurance policies as follows: (i) if your Hotel is three stories or less, then you must carry coverage of at least $14,000,000, or (ii) if your Hotel is more than three stories, then you must acquire a policy with coverage of at least $24,000,000. All policies providing excess/umbrella coverage shall follow the form of the primary CGL, worker's compensation, automobile liability, and liquor liability policies;
  • property/all risk and contents insurance (or builder's risk insurance during any period of construction) on all building(s) and contents against loss or damage by fire, lightning and all other risks associated and covered by the "all risks" policy form, all in an amount not less than 90% of the replacement cost. Terrorism risk insurance (TRIA) coverage is required;
  • boiler & machinery insurance against loss or damage from explosion of boilers or pressure vessels to the extent applicable;
  • business interruption insurance covering at least 12 months loss of profits and necessary continuing expenses for interruptions caused by a covered occurrence;
  • workers' compensation insurance in statutory amounts for all your employees and employers' liability insurance in amounts not less than $1,000,000 per accident or disease;
  • crime insurance covering employee dishonesty, such as theft of money, securities, or property, with a limit of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence;

  • employment practices liability insurance covering wrongful acts arising from the employment process; and
  • cyber liability insurance in the amount of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence.

Each of the insurance policies must: (i) be written by an insurance company with an A.M. Best rating of "A" or better; (ii) to the extent legally permissible, name us, our affiliates, and our and their respective officers, directors, and employees as additional named insureds and loss payees for all liability coverage policies; (iii) provide that the coverages will be primary and that any insurance carried by us will be excess and non-contributory; and (iv) provide that all coverages afforded to us (and our affiliates) will be coextensive with the coverage provided to you or any named insured on such policy, and any language in such policy that purports to limit the coverage available to us (and our affiliates) will be deemed deleted as to us (and our affiliates). We periodically may change the amounts of coverage required under the insurance policies and require different or additional kinds of insurance, including excess liability insurance. All insurance may be effected under policies of blanket insurance which cover your other properties and affiliates so long as such blanket insurance satisfies our requirements, as they periodically are modified. Within 10 days of the date you sign the Franchise Agreement, you must provide us certificates of insurance showing compliance with the insurance requirements; the certificate of insurance must include a statement that the policies will not be canceled without at least 30 days' prior written notice to us. Upon our request, you must supply us with copies of all insurance policies and proof of payment. You also must deliver renewal certificates to us not less than 10 days prior to each insurance policy's renewal date.

Approved Suppliers

To facilitate consistency and quality among Brand Hotels and our ability to leverage volume purchasing power, we reserve the right to approve or designate all vendors and suppliers of Supplies and services you use in developing, operating and promoting your Hotel.

Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 42–46)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to the 2025 Sonesta Simply Suites Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are responsible for procuring and maintaining insurance coverage for their hotels. The franchisee must obtain and pay for the required insurance, in addition to any insurance required by law, landlords, or mortgagees.

The insurance policies must meet specific requirements, including being written by a company with an A.M. Best rating of "A" or better. Sonesta Simply Suites, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, and employees must be named as additional insureds and loss payees. The franchisee's coverage must be primary, with any insurance carried by Sonesta Simply Suites being excess and non-contributory. The coverage afforded to Sonesta Simply Suites must be coextensive with the franchisee's coverage.

The required insurance policies include commercial general liability insurance with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and a general aggregate limit not less than $3,000,000, liquor liability (if applicable) with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence, automobile liability insurance with combined single limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and a general aggregate limit not less than $3,000,000, garage-keeper's liability, umbrella or excess liability insurance policies of at least $14,000,000 (for hotels three stories or less) or $24,000,000 (for hotels more than three stories), property/all risk and contents insurance for at least 90% of the replacement cost, terrorism risk insurance (TRIA) coverage, boiler & machinery insurance, business interruption insurance covering at least 12 months of lost profits, workers' compensation insurance, crime insurance covering employee dishonesty with a limit of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence, employment practices liability insurance, and cyber liability insurance in the amount of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence. Franchisees must provide certificates of insurance to Sonesta Simply Suites within 10 days of signing the Franchise Agreement and renewal certificates at least 10 days before each policy's renewal date.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.