I think the term you mean is comparative negligence. Contributory negligence would decline all coverage if the insured in any way contributed to the event. I'

I think the term you mean is comparative negligence. Contributory negligence would decline all coverage if the insured in any way contributed to the event. I'm guessing the hotel filed a property damage claim with their insurance, who then sued the commenter, whose liability insurance worked things out with the hotel's insurance company. You're right, the commenter would be covered 100%, but their insurance might have only paid out a fraction.