The security industry has experienced a number of recent changes, including an increased need for guards. With this growth comes increased risks— it’s important to make sure you are protecting your business and your security employees from potential threats. Central Insurance Agency is prepared to provide you with a custom insurance solution to fit your needs.
The majority of negligent security lawsuits involve assault and battery crimes (42%), followed by sex assault and rape claims (26%); wrongful death (15%), robbery (9%) and lastly, false imprisonment (4%). The remaining percentage (4%) falls into a miscellaneous category, including such as arson, home invasions, and carjacking.
In Simms v. Prime Hospitality Hotels (Florida District Court of Appeals, 1997), Ms. Simms was a hotel guest staying at a Prime Hospitality hotel. As she came back to her hotel room in the evening, she left the elevator and saw a man standing in the common area near her room.
The stranger forced her into her room at gunpoint and robbed and raped Ms. Simms. The plaintiff sued the hotel for negligent security. The Florida plaintiff’s lawyer discovered evidence from the neighborhood crime grid that there were 56 crimes on the premises during the past three years, including similar robberies.
The plaintiff argued that this was not a safe neighborhood, that the hotel knew this but did nothing to secure their premises. Attorneys for the hotel argued that when Simms saw the stranger in the hallway near her room, she should have walked away.
The jury agreed with the Plaintiff and awarded $400,000 dollars in damages.
Covering your security agency with a custom insurance plan in unprecedented circumstances like the above case is imperative to protecting your business and your employees. Central Insurance Agency can provide you with the protection and materials you need to ensure the continued success of your company. Contact us today for a free quote!