Travel

Rideshare drivers in California must carry personal auto insurance plus commercial coverage from the rideshare company during active trips, with minimum liability limits of $1,000,000 per incident when a passenger is in the vehicle.

Yes, in California, rideshare companies like Uber are considered common carriers under state law and owe passengers the highest duty of care.

Yes, you can sue a rideshare company in California if their driver causes an accident — the company may be held liable under vicarious liability or negligent hiring theories, especially when the driver is logged into the app and available for rides.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulates rideshare companies in California as 'transportation network companies' (TNCs).

Yes, California regulates peer-to-peer car rentals through the Vehicle Code and requires operators to be licensed as motor vehicle dealers or exempted under specific conditions.

Yes, taxi and rideshare drivers in California may refuse a fare only for lawful, nondiscriminatory reasons — such as safety concerns or vehicle capacity limits — but not based on race, disability, destination, or other protected characteristics.

Yes, a hotel in California may limit its liability for stolen guest property, but only if it complies strictly with Civil Code § 1860 and posts the required notice in designated locations.

Yes, a hotel in California may be liable for stolen belongings if it failed to use ordinary care — but liability depends on factors like whether the guest used the provided safe and whether the hotel was negligent.

In California, an innkeeper owes guests the duty of ordinary care to protect them from foreseeable harm, including criminal acts by third parties when the risk is known or reasonably foreseeable.

Generally, no — hotels in California cannot refuse accommodation based on protected characteristics like race, religion, sex, disability, or sexual orientation, unless a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason applies (e.g., lack of availability or safety risk).

Yes, a hotel in California can charge you for damages beyond normal wear and tear—even without your prior written agreement—but only if the damage is your fault and the charge is reasonable and itemized.

Yes, travel sellers must register with the California Attorney General before selling travel services to California residents.

In California, sellers of travel must post a $50,000 bond or maintain a trust account with a qualified financial institution to protect consumer funds.

Yes, cities in California can ban short-term rentals, but they must comply with state laws like AB 3182 and the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act.

Yes, Airbnb hosts in California are subject to local short-term rental regulations, which vary by city and county but often require registration, taxes, and compliance with zoning and safety rules.

In California, a common carrier owes passengers the highest duty of care — to use the utmost care and diligence for their safe transportation.

No, you generally cannot sue an airline for delayed or lost luggage under California state law because federal law (the Montreal Convention and U.S. Department of Transportation rules) preempts state law in this area.

In California, a common carrier is strictly liable for lost or damaged baggage unless it proves the loss resulted from an act of God, public enemy, fault of the passenger, or inherent vice of the property.

Charter bus operators in California must be licensed by the CPUC, comply with safety regulations including vehicle inspections and driver qualifications, and carry minimum liability insurance of $5 million.

Yes, a tour company in California may be held legally responsible for your injury during a guided tour if it failed to use reasonable care, breached its duty of care, or violated safety laws.

Cruise passengers departing from California are protected by the Cruise Passenger Protection Act, which requires clear disclosures, prohibits unfair contract terms, and mandates emergency response plans.

Yes, you may be entitled to a refund if a California-licensed travel agency goes out of business — but only if the agency participated in the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund (TCRF) and you file a claim within 90 days.

Yes, you may cancel a travel package and get a full refund within 7 days if the contract was made away from the seller’s place of business (e.g., at home or online), under California’s Travel Consumer Restitution Fund law.

Yes, vacation timeshare purchases in California are subject to a 7-day cancellation right, and buyers must receive specific disclosures before signing.

If a travel seller in California uses your payment for another purpose, they violate the Seller of Travel Law and may face civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation, restitution, and license suspension.