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.

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 are common exclusions for Airbnb travel insurance claims?

  Travel insurance policies come with exclusions that limit when you can make a claim. For Airbnb stays, common exclusions include claims arising from your own negligence, property damage caused intentionally, or damage from activities not covered by your policy, such as certain adventure sports. Always read your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand what is not covered.

• What if my Airbnb host cancels my booking?

  If your Airbnb host cancels your booking unexpectedly, your first step should be to contact Airbnb to explore your options for a refund or alternative accommodation. Your travel insurance may then cover non-refundable prepaid expenses linked to your trip, such as flights or other activities, if the cancellation falls under an insured event in your policy. Check your policy's cancellation cover details.

• Does travel insurance cover disputes with an Airbnb host or if the listing is inaccurate?

  Generally, travel insurance is designed to cover unforeseen events such as illness, theft or natural disasters, not disputes regarding the quality of the accommodation or inaccuracies in the listing description. For issues like a misleading listing or disagreements with your host, you should use Airbnb's resolution centre or customer support as your primary recourse.

• Am I covered if the Airbnb becomes uninhabitable during my stay?

  If your Airbnb becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event such as a fire, flood or other serious damage, your travel insurance may cover additional accommodation expenses or the unused portion of your booking. This would fall under cancellation or trip disruption benefits depending on your policy. You would need to show that the property was officially deemed uninhabitable.

• Does travel insurance cover Airbnb Experiences?

  Travel insurance can cover some Airbnb Experiences but it depends on the specific activity and your policy's terms. Many standard policies exclude cover for high-risk or adventure activities, such as bungee jumping skydiving or whitewater rafting. If you plan to participate in an Airbnb Experience that involves potential risks, check your PDS or contact your insurer to see if additional cover is needed.

Written by

Cristal Dyer

Writer

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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 167 Finder guides across topics including:

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