In the rare event that your home is damaged or property stolen by a guest, damage protection can reimburse you for your losses. Damage protection can help give you the peace of mind that your home and belongings will be insured if something happens to them during a guest’s stay. Only some of the channels offer a protection plan. You can also choose to find your own protection plan or not have a additional protection plan.
If you're looking for information on liability insurance go here.
First step - ask guests for reimbursement
Before starting the process of making a damage protection claim, try asking your guest if they will pay for what you need to replace or repair. Providing your guests with photos of the damage they created and asking for a fair reimbursement price can increase your chances of your guest paying for the harm they caused.
Airbnb damage protection
Airbnb has damage protection for each home on their platform. This applies to reservations booked directly through Airbnb.
To be covered by their program, the request must be submitted to the Guest and Airbnb within 14 days of check-out.
What's covered
Airbnb’s AirCover for hosts provides homeowners with $3 million in damage protection. This policy includes:
Damage protection for your home and belongings
Damage protection for select art and valuables within your home
Damage protection for cars, boats, and other watercrafts you may store on your property
Damage protection for damage caused by pets
Reimbursement for deep cleaning services required to remove things like smoke odor and stains.
Reimbursement for lost income if reservations have to be canceled due to guest damage
Airbnb’s AirCover damage protection does not cover everything. Here are examples of what is not covered:
Damage from normal home wear and tear
Damage or losses from acts of nature, such as natural disasters
Cleaning associated with normal tasks (ex: laundry, dishes, trash removal)
Injury or property damage to guests or others (those may be covered by liability insurance)
Other limitations apply
Reimbursement process
Reach out to your guest directly to see if they will pay for what you need to replace or repair. Providing your guests with photos of the damage they created and asking for a fair reimbursement price can increase your chances of your guest paying for the harm they caused.
If you wish to file a Airbnb damage protection claim, contact [email protected] within 10 days of the guest checking out. This will give us time to collect any additional information from you and submit the request on your behalf within 14 days of the guest checking out.
In your email, be sure to include:
A message for your guest, which will be sent to them when the reimbursement request is submitted
A description and photo(s) of what you are filing the damage protection claim for
The cost to replace your item, to fix your item, or of additional cleaning fees, and supporting documentation if you have it (e.g. receipt, invoice)
If it can be repaired or needs to be replaced
The age of your item
The date it was stolen or damaged
We will then confirm receipt of your request and start the reimbursement process on your behalf.
Vrbo damage protection
Vrbo does not provide hosts with damage protection. You can choose to find your own damage protection insurance provider or not insure your home against damages. Vrbo does provide liability insurance.
Optional coverage
If you wish to supplement your damage protection insurance, you can find external insurance for your home and belongings. Your advisor can help figure out what damage protection plans are best for you.