How can a wood shoe molding in front of a tub prevent water damage?

Q

Don’t know. Here’s picture.

"How can a wood shoe molding in front of a tub prevent water damage?"

I concur, just wanted to see it to be certain.

Let's see. High risk of water. Let's add wood. What could go wrong?

Hmm... If I had to venture a guess they're covering up a mistake (like too big a gap between tile edge and tub, or jagged/uneven edge cuts) and feeding you a line of BS to cover their butts.

No. I did have to install tile quarter round base to cover a gap in the bath in a very old house once.