Why Specialized Hospitality Insurance Matters More Than Ever in 2025

From natural disasters to evolving lender requirements, the hospitality sector—especially hotels, resorts, and restaurants—is facing unprecedented insurance complexity. Costs are rising, coverage is shrinking, and the old way of doing things simply isn’t cutting it anymore.

At Virtus Insurance, we’ve built a specialized Hospitality Practice to address these exact challenges head-on. Our legacy goes back decades, but our approach is built for modern operators—those who want strategic partnership, not just another renewal packet.

Here’s what makes our approach different—and why it matters more than ever in today’s market.

A Legacy Rooted in Hospitality Excellence

The Virtus hospitality practice has deep roots. It all began in the 1950s with Kemmons Wilson, the founder of Holiday Inn, who also established an insurance group to support his investment ventures and franchisees. That group evolved into the Kemmons Wilson Insurance Group—and eventually joined forces with Virtus.

This partnership didn’t just add depth to our team—it supercharged our ability to serve the hospitality space with the agility and customization it demands. Today, we carry that legacy forward with a singular focus: protect the industry we know best.

Who We Serve: Boutique Hotels, Iconic Resorts, and Everything In Between

Hospitality is a broad category. We work with everyone from boutique hotels and unique resorts to national restaurant groups and luxury properties with layered operations—bars, spas, golf courses, fine dining, and more.

What unites our clients isn’t their size—it’s their mindset. They’re modern thinkers who don’t treat insurance like a box to check. They want to understand their risk, be proactive, and take ownership of a smarter risk management strategy. They’re not afraid to challenge the status quo—and we’re built to meet them there.

Strategic Risk Management: Beyond “Renew and Repeat”

For too long, insurance in hospitality has been treated like a rinse-and-repeat process. The result? Reduced capacity. Rising premiums. Frustrated operators. And worst of all—limited protection when it matters most.

We don’t believe in that cycle. We believe in designing programs that make sense for each client’s unique exposure, location, and operation. That often means rethinking how risk is transferred. Whether it’s raising deductibles, adjusting retentions, or creating manuscript policies tailored to the property—we help clients take back control of their cost and their coverage.

Case Study: $1M Saved + $70M in Capacity Added

One of our favorite examples? A luxury resort previously hit with skyrocketing premiums and shrinking coverage—despite being heavily exposed to hurricanes and windstorms.

Their prior broker followed the traditional playbook. When Virtus stepped in, we restructured the entire program. We adjusted deductible layers, rewrote coverage terms, and introduced new carriers into a carefully designed tower.

The result: over $1 million in annual premium savings, and $70 million in added capacity. That’s real money back into operations, hiring, and capital improvements—without compromising coverage.

Why Specialization Beats Generalization—Every Time

In this industry, nuance matters. A generalist broker who insures a bank on Monday, a contractor on Tuesday, and a resort on Wednesday can’t offer the depth or consistency hospitality requires.

Our team works exclusively in the hospitality industry. That means we know the exposures others miss—like the risks involved with golf courses, rooftop pools, or even the way policy wording affects claims on resort amenities. Our underwriter relationships are hospitality-specific. We know which carriers want to play in this space—and how to get them to the table.

Looking Ahead: Growth Fueled by Purpose

In the last year alone, we’ve doubled the size of our hospitality business. And we’re not slowing down.

Our growth is fueled by a passion for the industry, a commitment to the client, and a belief that hospitality deserves more than generic solutions. We're hiring the right people—lifelong learners who engage with the industry and push to improve.

This is our lane. And we intend to lead it.

The Bottom Line: Peace of Mind That Drives Performance

Our clients are great at what they do—building world-class guest experiences and operational excellence. They shouldn’t have to be insurance experts too.

At Virtus, we make sure they don’t have to be. Our specialized approach means clients can focus on running their business, knowing their risk is covered and their broker has their back.

We don’t just manage risk. We drive value. And that’s what true partnership looks like.

Interested in a smarter approach to hospitality insurance? Let’s talk. Because in 2025, your coverage should be as custom and exceptional as your property.