What is a hotel's liability concerning theft?

[Lyllyan]

My SO just returned from a business trip to Seattle. On Monday morning, he removed his wedding ring and one other ring, put them in a sock in his carry-on bag and went to work. When he returned that evening, he saw a lone sock on the bed, but didn't really think anything of it. Wednesday, preparing to return home, he could not find his rings. He and his son were the only ones with access to the room besides the cleaning crew. Now, while we do not want to jump to conclusions or accuse anyone unjustly, it looks like the maids took the rings. After unpacking and going through each article of clothing very carefully, we called the hotel. These were very unique rings, the wedding band has our names in raised letters, custom made. The other was also custom made. What exactly, is their responsibility in a matter such as this?

[Whack-a-Mole]

IANAL. As with most threads of this type you need to ask a real attorney versed in this area of the law for a real answer.

That said I think you are SOL. Hotel's have all sorts of contract language you agree to when renting a room that limits their liability. Reading those things makes it seem as if the hotel isn't responsible for anything no matter what happens. However, no matter what language they put in those contracts they still retain some liability for what happens in their hotel. Mostly that contract puts a fair sized hurdle to be overcome should you want to sue the hotel.

Add to that a few other issues. For instance, I think you would have a very difficult time proving the ring was stolen. Short of one of the maids (or whoever stole it) being caught with the ring on their person this is near impossible as far a court is concerned. Also, retaining an attorney to sue the hotel is likely to cost you more than the rings are worth. I understand the rings have a sentimental value beyond their actual worth but all you could recover would be the street value of the ring.

It sucks what happened but ultimately there is little you can do. Fill out a police report and hope for the best. If your rings were insured make your claim to get some money back. If anyone would ever bother pursuing the hotel legally it'll be your insurance company (although I doubt they would either). You also might consider tracking down any reporting agencies that collect statistics on hotel theft (sort of like a Better Business Bureau). You may not get the hotel directly but if they have theiving staff and enough people report it an investigation may be generated elsewhere into the issue.

[drachillix]

Originally posted by Lyllyan
My SO just returned from a business trip to Seattle. On Monday morning, he removed his wedding ring and one other ring, put them in a sock in his carry-on bag and went to work.

Does he normally not wear a wedding ring at work? I know some sales types do this to keep prospective marks a little more interested.

[Lyllyan]

Originally posted by drachillix


Does he normally not wear a wedding ring at work? I know some sales types do this to keep prospective marks a little more interested.

As he works on restaurant equipment, which is VERY greasy and dirty, no, he does not usually wear his wedding band.

[Jane D'oh!]

Your SO will need to fill out a police report. Also, the hotel can interrogate the lock to see if anyone else had entered the room. (Engineers, minibar, etc.)

Hotels also have insurance to cover these types of claims. They will most likely refer you to their insurance company once you have filled out the necessary forms.

You would have had a better chance if the report was filed while still at the property.

Some advice, be persistant, write a letter to the GM and if you do not get an appropriate response, keep writing right up the food chain.

[RainbowDragon]

First of all, never ever keep valuables in an empty hotel room. Hiding it in a sock may seem clever, but chances are a good thief would tell you that is one of the first places they look.

Of course states vary as far as limits of liability, and IANAL however hotels often provide safes in which valuables can be secured. If you decide not to take advantage of this service, it greatly reduces their liability.

You would be remiss not to report the loss to the hotel. Perhaps they can question their employees and see if the rings might be recovered. After that report to the police and report the theft to your insurance carrier (if you happen to have homeowners/renters insurance that covers theft).

I found it interesting that the OP noted that not only the cleaning staff were in the room but also her SO’s son. Could it be possible that the son stole the rings????

[Lyllyan]

I found it interesting that the OP noted that not only the cleaning staff were in the room but also her SO’s son. Could it be possible that the son stole the rings????

Not a chance. They work together, they were in each others company the entire time. Again, not a chance.


I know not to keep valuables in the room. He knows better. I guess he had his head up his ass at the time and it really pisses me off. Had I been there, it never would have happened.


What is interesting is that he had a cute little MP3 player lying in plain sight. And a Canon 35mm camera with all kinds of bells and whistles on it.

[Yarster]

The MP3 player and camera certainly are suspicious because you'd think the thief would go hog wild and steal everything.

At the same time, a thief who only went after the rings presumably should have been smart enough to put the sock back in the bag to not arouse suspicion. That said, are you sure the SO didn't just lose the rings somehow? Also, does he know for sure if the sock he stuck the rings in was the same one left out on the bed?

It could be he just did something stupid and accidentally lost the rings. Once when my fingers were getting swollen, I took off my ring and put it on my (expensive) watch band so I wouldn't lose it. I then took the watch off, and when I was getting out of the car, I had a bunch of stuff to carry, so I put the watch in a fast food bag. Long story short, the watch AND wedding ring got thrown out with the bag Yes, I was an idiot, but came clean with my wife and just got a new wedding band.

Meanwhile, this ring sounds pretty unique and would have no value to the thief beyond its pawn shop value, so I'd start there and start calling pawn shops. And yes, file a police report!

[RainbowDragon]

Originally posted by Lyllyan
Not a chance. They work together, they were in each others company the entire time. Again, not a chance.

I understand that you feel that your SO's son is trustworthy, however logic dictates that they were not in each other's company the entire time. What if your SO needed to use the rest room? Run out to the car to get something? Etc.

What is interesting is that he had a cute little MP3 player lying in plain sight. And a Canon 35mm camera with all kinds of bells and whistles on it.

Cameras and MP3 players usually have serial numbers, and as such are more difficult to hock at the local pawn store.

[Jane D'oh!]

Based on the fact that some nice stuff was left in the room, I'd believe an honest misplacement before theft really. Maybe your SO thought he put the ring in the sock in his bag and really it was just left on the bed, between the covers, etc. It could easily have been taken with the laundry and not noticed.

Housekeepers are trained to not to dispose of anything in your room. Go ahead, leave a newspaper on the desk, they will not throw it away until you check out. They'll leave shoes or clothes wherever you leave them and clean around them.

But as was said before, file the report and call the hotel, sometimes things turn up.

[CookingWithGas]

[hijack]Is there some new trend to call your husband an "SO"? I thought that was reserved for non-marriage relationships.[/hijack]

[Una Persson]

I've never stayed in a hotel that did not have a waiver of liability printed on their check-in form, the receipt, and sometimes even in the room itself. I am uncertain that you will prevail versus the hotel in most cases.

[racer72]

The rings were the only things taken because they can be gotten rid of very easily for quick cash. There are jewelers that can turn the rings into unidentifiable blobs of gold in seconds. Can' t do that with MP3 players or cameras. Why pay spot price for gold for jewelry when you can get it for about 1/2 price.

[kanicbird]

Does it have a unique inscription? If so put that into ebay - it's a long shot but you might be able to get it back.