Airbnb Insurance - AirCover for Hosts

With AirCover, As an Airbnb host, protecting your property and ensuring a smooth guest is a top priority. Airbnb Host Liability Insurance provides essential coverage for incidents like accident damage, giving you peace of mind while hosting. In this guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of Airbnb’s coverage options and what every host should know to stay protected.

What is AirCover?

AirCover is a comprehensive protection program launched by Airbnb in 2021 to enhance insurance coverage for hosts and guests using the booking platform. It safeguards against damage to property sustained during the stay and offers additional benefits.

What is included in AirCover?

AirCover currently includes a series of protections for hosts in the event of numerous scenarios. As stated by Airbnb, AirCover includes “guest identity verification, reservation screening, $3M Host damage protection, $1M Host liability insurance, and a 24-hour safety line. It also includes $1M Experiences liability insurance.”

This reasonably comprehensive program covers a broad range of potential issues.

How much does Airbnb air cover cost?

Airbnb’s AirCover is a free protection program that Airbnb provides to both hosts and guests. There is no additional cost for either party.

What is included in AirCover?

AirCover for Hosts offers a variety of protection measures for holiday home landlords.

Host damage protection

Airbnb offers protection of up to $3 million for damage caused by guests. The following are covered:

• Property, possessions, and belongings

If your property or any of your possessions left in the house for your guests’ convenience has been vandalized or damaged in any way, you will be covered. This could refer to fixtures such as kitchen equipment and appliances, the property’s structure, or other furnishings such as gutters, doors, and windows.

Likewise, this covers both unintentional and intentional damage

• Pets

If dogs, cats, or other animals are allowed in your accommodation, they may cause damage to furniture or other furnishings. AirCover also covers damage caused by your guests’ pets.

• Works of art and valuables

You may have added valuable artwork or other collectibles when decorating and furnishing your vacation rental. AirCover’s protection also applies here if artwork or other beneficial furnishings in your rental are damaged.

• Loss of income

If you must pause your vacation rental plans due to damage and the need for repairs, Airbnb will cover you for your financial losses during this period. AirCover offers you financial compensation for periods when your rental is unusable due to damage caused by Airbnb guests, and for bookings, you must cancel due to the same circumstances.

• Car, Boat & Co.

Airbnb will also cover the repair of cars, boats, and other watercraft parked on your property.

• Extra cleaning

If professional cleaning (e.g., carpet cleaning) is necessary due to unexpected damage caused by Airbnb guests, AirCover also covers these costs. This also extends to smoke-related problems such as odor. It is also worth noting that additional mess caused by unapproved guests falls under this category.

Host liability insurance

AirCover also includes $1 million in liability insurance, so you’re covered if your guests are injured or have personal belongings damaged or stolen while staying at your property. This section also covers communal areas such as building lobbies and neighboring properties.

It is also important to note that this section includes bodily harm caused to guests or others during a stay.

24/7 security hotline

If you are in danger or feel unsafe, you can use the Airbnb app to contact Airbnb staff, who will support and assist you.

Experiences liability insurance

As Airbnb has extended its Airbnb Experiences offering, it has also grown to be included in the AirCover policies. During an Airbnb experience, if a guest undergoes bodily harm or has their property damaged or stolen and you are legally responsible, you will be covered by AirCover.

Verifying the identity of guests

Airbnb cares about the safety of its hosts and guests. To ensure that no one uses a false identity when booking, Airbnb has developed guest identity verification measures.

During verification, the following information about your future guests will be checked to confirm their identity:

• Name
• Address
• Identification documents, etc.

Airbnb booking verification

Airbnb uses its internal technology to check every booking on the platform for several factors to avoid property damage or unwanted parties in your vacation rental.

How much does AirCover cover?

As mentioned above, this depends on the nature of the claim. Host damage protection can cover up to $3 million, and iniability insurance can cover up to $1 million in damages.

Does AirCover replace your own insurance?

AirCover only protects you for the period in which your holiday home is rented out via Airbnb. Therefore, AirCover cannot replace personal insurance policies such as home contents insurance. In our landlord guide on insurance for your holiday home, you can find out which insurance you should take out for your accommodation.

You can find the conditions for protection through AirCover here.

We recommend contacting several insurance companies to learn what is available and how to comprehensively protect yourself against property damage, theft, accidental damage, and more.

Airbnb host liability insurance covers a significant amount, but additional insurance policies will likely provide a more comprehensive package.

The expanded coverage includes:

• Pet damage protection: Any damage done by pets, with or without your permission to stay.
• Deep cleaning protection: Unexpected cleaning costs include removing cigarette odor or wine stains.
• Income loss protection: Reimbursement of lost income if you have to cancel confirmed Airbnb bookings due to guest damage.
• 14-day filing window: If guests cause damage, you can request reimbursement 14 days after their check-out, even if the next guest has already checked in.
• Quick reimbursements: Reimbursements for guest damages happen quickly, usually within two weeks.
• Faster track for Superhosts: Superhosts get priority routing and quicker reimbursements.

It is also essential to check to see if there is specific insurance for rental or vacation properties where you live. Different insurance providers could offer plans geared towards this particular market segment and offer more excellent protection for your specific needs.

What happens if there is damage?

You can visit the Airbnb Resolution Center. The Airbnb team aims to respond to inquiries promptly. Hosts who have achieved Airbnb Superhost status receive priority assistance and typically enjoy faster refund processing.

If a guest fails to cover any damages, you qualify for reimbursement for monospecific damages to your home and belongings. This coverage encompasses additional cleaning services to address stains caused by guests or their invitees, pet accidents, and smoke odors.

Damages to your property, furnishings, valuables, or personal items caused by guests are included. This also covers extra cleaning costs associated with removing stains, pet accidents, smoke odors, or instances where additional cleaning is needed due to unapproved extra guests.

Furthermore, if you provide an emergency stay through Airbnb.org, you remain protected under Host damage protection.

How to claim from Airbnb insurance

If damage occurs, follow these steps to secure your reimbursement. Begin by documenting the issue with clear photos or videos, and collect any invoices or receipts for repairs or cleaning services incurred.

You can submit your reimbursement request through the Resolution Center within 14 days of the guest’s checkout. The guest has 24 hours to respond. If they do not reply, make a partial payment, or refuse to pay, you can escalate your claim under Host damage protection.

Airbnb Support will then review your request. Remember that to receive assistance from Airbnb Support regarding your AirCover for Hosts claim, you must submit all relevant documentation of the damage within 30 days of the incident.

What does Airbnb insurance not cover?

While AirCover is quite comprehensive in its scope, there are some exclusions and limitations for guests and hosts alike.

Not covered for hosts:

• Any damage caused by natural disasters or what can defined as an ‘Act of God’ or ‘Act of Nature’ in certain countries: Earthquakes, floods, etc. Acts of terrorism would also not be covered.
• Ordinary wear and tear is the result of regular use. This would include scuffs, minor scratches, or fading. This would also include mold and fungi. Furthermore, damage that is a result of poor artistry or faulty installations of furnishing, etc.
• A guest’s excessive use of utilities – water, electricity, gas, etc.
• Loss of cash, currency, checks, or securities (like stock certificates or bonds) is excluded.
• Damages to shared spaces not explicitly covered in the booking (e.g., shared living rooms or kitchens in a duplex).
• Pre-existing damage or faults that were present before the guest’s arrival.
• Some high-value or rare items like fine art, jewelry, and collectibles may need to be fully covered.
• The liability protection covers claims made by guests, but injuries to the host or co-hosts are not covered.
• Loss of business data, software, or other intangible assets is not covered.
• Damages or infestations caused by pests such as bedbugs are generally excluded.
• Penalties, fines, and sanctions imposed by local or national authorities are not included.

Having the right insurance plan is crucial for Airbnb hosts who want to protect their property and minimize risks. While Airbnb provides some protection, exploring additional insurance options specifically designed for short-term rentals is advisable. These specialized policies can offer comprehensive coverage, addressing gaps and giving peace of mind in case of unexpected events that standard insurance plans may not cover.

The importance of Airbnb insurance

As a host, having strong protection through short-term rental insurance is essential for safeguarding your property and providing peace of mind. While Airbnb’s AirCover and Host Protection Insurance offer valuable coverage for damage and liability, it’s necessary to thoroughly understand the details of these policies, including what is included and what is excluded. This understanding helps ensure you are not caught off guard in unexpected situations.

Additionally, setting clear house rules can prevent misunderstandings and minimize risks, creating a safer and more enjoyable experience for you and your guests. Exploring supplemental insurance options can help fill any potential gaps in coverage, further protecting your investment and ensuring you are fully prepared for any eventuality.

By proactively managing these aspects, you can confidently enjoy the benefits of hosting while reducing potential risks.