What Kind of Insurance Do You Need for Short Term Rentals?

You’ve finally decided to enter the short-term (STR) market, and your biggest worry is a call from the local fire department saying your house is on fire or that your guest is suing you for a sprained ankle during their stay. Fortunately, if you prepare with the right insurance and take care of your property, these types of conditions can be controlled.
Listing your property on Airbnb can generate additional incomeyesn.d more head if you don’t well covered. Don’t do it rely on your standard homeowner’s insurance because it won’t cover the unique risks involved. Before renting, review your policy and look for any add-ons or recommendations.
In this article introduced with They left each otherwe’ll discuss the details of Airbnb’s limited liability insurance and guide you through important things like vandalism, theft, unpaid rentals, and guest injuries. We’ll also highlight the best insurance options for Airbnb hosts to protect you from costly surprises and potential losses.
Does Airbnb Provide Insurance for Hosts?
The short answer is yes, but you need to understand its complexity.
Airbnb offers two main types of protection: Host Injury Protection, which covers up to $3 million in guest-related damages, and Host Liability Insurance, which provides up to $1 million in coverage for injury or property damage to guests.
Protecting the Host from Damage
Includes:
- Property damage from guests
- Vehicle damage caused by visitors
- Additional cleaning costs due to guest actions
- Lost revenue if you have to cancel a booking in the future due to damage
Excluded:
- Normal aging
- Loss of money or currency
- Damage from natural disasters
The claims process can be complicatedso it’s important to understand what’s included and not take the time to prepare for anything that comes up. There are a few things to be aware of about filing claims, such as having only 14 days to file and needing proper documentation of the repair costs. This it can be as simple as an invoice from your cleaner for extra work or your helper to repair the hole in the wall—that’s where the “clueless” visitor comes from.
Hosting Liability Insurance
Includes:
- Injury to guest.
- Damage to guest property.
- Damage to shared areas or adjacent buildings caused by visitors.
Excluded:
- Intended harm or injury.
- Your injury yours property (this is subject to Host Damage Protection).
- Exclusion of things like data loss or incidents related to attacks.
To apply, you will need fill out Airbnb’s liability insurance form, which will be handled by a third-party insurer. However, you may not be covered for a variety of reasons, so I wouldn’t recommend relying on Airbnb to save you in all cases.
Enjoy Liability Insurance
Airbnb also offers Experience Liability insurance, which provides coverage of up to $1 million for damage or loss of property. what is happening during Airbnb Experiences. This including online and personal events, and protection that extends to co-hosts like that.
Includes:
- Injury to guest.
- Damage to guest property.
- Costs related to preparation and cleaning after the experience.
- Virtual events.
Excluded:
- Willful damage or injury.
- Your injury yours property.
- High-risk activities such as extreme sports.
For both types of insurance, you will need to submit claims through the Airbnb platform, and they are available some things to be aware of about periods to report a claim.
Types of Insurance You May Need
Depending on how you use your property, different types of insurance will be required:
- Homeowner’s insurance the foundation necessary, but you need to move on.
- Authorization to Your policy may be required for short-term rentals (less than six months).
- Landlord insurance is required if you are renting long term.
- Business insurance may be required to rent out your property regularly for income and you need additional liability insurance. I always recommend a commercial policy with an additional umbrella policy.
What Airbnb’s AirCover Doesn’t Cover
While Airbnb’s AirCover insurance offers which is basic protection, does not cover everything. Exclusions include wear and tear, loss of income, and personal injury unrelated to visitors. AirCover also will not protect against willful acts, gross negligence, or illegal activities. In addition, $1 million may not be enough serious casesso you may need outside home insurance to get full coverage.
AirCover is notorious for denying claims without sufficient evidence or documentation what is needed to support the claim.
Common Problems Airbnb Hosts Experience
Hosting guests can lead to a variety of issues, from small worries in full nightmares. Here are a few common problems:
- Destruction: Property damage caused by unruly guests or unauthorized parties.
- Theft: Guests may steal anything from small items to high value items.
- Unpaid rent: Sometimes, visitors refuse to pay, which affects your income.
- Physical damage: Hosts may be responsible for guests’ injuries.
- Damage to your property: Whether by accident or on purpose, property damage is a real risk.
If your place is vacant between stays, problems such as mold, broken pipes, or faulty electronics can also appear.
Best Airbnb Insurance Options
To protect your investment, you will need insurance customized for temporary employment. Here are the top providers:
- Obie: It offers customized coverage with instant, online quotes and good for Airbnb hosts.
- Eligible Insurance: Known for covering all the details, Propert is less expensive but offers protection against theft, liability, and property damage.
- Liberty Mutual: Specializes in landlord insurance, covering rental properties and loss of income.
- Allstate HostAdvantage: It provides endorsements for homeowner policies, which cover personal belongings during the rental period.
- Farmers Insurance: It offers landlord policies that cover liability, property damage, and loss of rental income.
If you are there you have trouble finding the right insurance or a reasonable quote to youI can reach an insurance agent in your state who can help you shop around for different options.
Final thoughts
Choosing the right insurance depends on your specific situation, so be sure to compare coverage options, costs, and risks beforehand. to make a decision. A strong insurance plan is essential to maintaining your property—and peace of mind—as an Airbnb host.
The best thing about insurance is that you know money deducted as a cost to your investment savings. You need to make sure you track all of yours costslike insurance, in a simplified way. This is where Baselane comes in as the perfect solution!
Learn more about How Baselane’s all-in-one banking, rental collection, and accounting platform can help you take your investing to the next level.
A Note About BiggerPockets: These are the views expressed by the author and do not necessarily represent the views of BiggerPockets.
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