Does travel insurance cover Airbnb?

Does travel insurance cover Airbnb?

Generally, travel insurance covers you in an Airbnb property in the same way you would be covered if you were staying in a traditional hotel. You're generally covered for cancellation, your personal belongings and personal liability. As with any type of claim, the onus is on you to make sure you are taking reasonable precautions to ensure your safety.

Most travel insurance policies include cover for medical issues, meaning if you trip and break your ankle, you should be covered by your travel insurance.

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Am I covered if I have to cancel my trip?

If your policy includes cancellation cover then typically you will be covered. Since your accommodation with Airbnb is classed as pre-booked, your travel insurance should cover you for any unused portion of your trip and reimburse you for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, if you've experienced an insured event.

What is an insured event?

Insured events vary but generally include:

• Serious illness to you or a family member
• Death
• Natural disasters
• Your employer cancels your leave
• Your travelling companion suffers an accident.

Is my luggage covered for theft?

If you have rented out the entire property, your travel insurance should cover you for theft or robbery because the accommodation is not classed as a public place, provided you have taken precautions to ensure the safety of your belongings.

However, if you are only renting out a room in an apartment or home, then the accommodation is considered a public place. This means that in order to have your personal belongings covered, you need to make sure they are locked away in your room.

What happens if I break something?

When you agree to the Terms of Service with Airbnb, "You also authorise Airbnb Payments to charge your credit card in the event of damage caused at an Accommodation as contemplated under 'Damage to Accommodations' below and for Security Deposits, if applicable."

If your policy provides protection for personal liability, these financial losses will be covered by this section of your policy. This means you'll be covered if you break an antique vase or spill wine on the couch.

How do I make a claim?

As with any travel insurance claim, evidence is the key. Make sure you have all of the necessary documentation to streamline the claims process.

• Step 1. Make sure you are safe and have done everything within your power to prevent any further loss
• Step 2. Contact the authorities if necessary
• Step 3. Contact your insurer as soon as it's safe to do so
• Step 4. Read your insurers claims guide
• Step 5. Gather all relevant documentation and evidence
• Step 6. Complete your claim form
• Step 7. Send in your completed claim form and any and all supporting evidence

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Frequently asked questions

• What happens if I need to cancel my Airbnb due to an unforeseen event?

  Cancellation policies can vary – as they often depend on the terms you agreed with the host when you confirmed your booking. Airbnb's Extenuating Circumstances policy, which gets activated for "unforeseen events", could entitle you to a refund.

• Does Airbnb offer protection if I'm a host?

  Yes. Airbnb offers damage protection as part of AirCover. This provides up to $1,000,000 in legal liability cover. So, if a dispute arises between you and your guest, you can be covered for legal costs, as our guide to short-term rental cover explains. However, the host guarantee does not protect things such as cash, personal liability or shared spaces.

  The Airbnb host damage protection is not insurance and is designed to provide cover for damage to the host's property. Host liability insurance is insurance and provides the host with cover from third-party claims of bodily injury or property damage.

  Host protection insurance does not cover losses such as those related to intentional acts; slander, defamation or emotional distress; Defects like drywall problems, mould or bed bugs.

Written by

Cristal Dyer

Writer

Cristal Dyer is a travel writer at Finder. She has been writing about travel for over five years and has visited over 40 countries around the world. Cristal currently travels full-time, writing about her favourite cities and food finds, and she is always on the lookout for amazing flight deals to share. See full bio

Co-written by

James Martin

Journalist

James Martin was the insurance editor at Finder. He has written on a range of insurance and finance topics for over 7 years. James often shares his insurance expertise as a media spokesperson and has appeared on Prime 7 News, Insurance News, 7NEWS and The Guardian. An experienced journalist, James' work has featured in publications including The Irish Times, Companies100 and In Business. He holds a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, both of which meet the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

James's expertise

James has written 181 Finder guides across topics including:

• Car, home, life, health, travel and pet insurance
• Managing the cost of living
• Money-saving tips