Airbnb Insurance: What Coverage Do Hosts and Guests Need?

Renting / staying in an Airbnb accommodation involves responsibilities and risks that it is important to cover. Fortunately, Airbnb insurance offers coverage to protect both hosts and travelers in the event of an incident. Your home insurance may also, depending on the options subscribed, cover some costs in case of a rental.

But what does the insurance included in the Airbnb rental cover? What protection against breakage or cancellation with Airbnb insurance? Should you take out supplemental travel insurance for this seasonal rental?

Whether you are a host concerned about your property or a traveler wanting to protect yourself against unforeseen events, this page will guide you through the different insurance options available and help you choose the coverage that best suits your needs.

Airbnb Insurance: Key Points

• AirCover included for free : AirCover for hosts and guests is included at no extra cost with every Airbnb booking.
• Damage protection : AirCover for hosts covers damage to the property and belongings caused by guests.
• Cancellation coverage : AirCover for guests provides compensation in case of cancellation due to specific reasons such as serious illness or a natural disaster.
• Important exclusions : AirCover does not cover normal wear and tear of belongings or travel expenses such as flights and activities.
• Additional insurance available : additional travel insurance can be purchased for extended protection including medical expenses and trip interruptions.

What is Airbnb Insurance?

The term "Airbnb insurance" can be confusing because there are actually two different types of coverage available:

• Standard home insurance with possibly a holiday home insurance for short-term rentals like Airbnb. This insurance is taken out by the host with their usual insurer and covers damage to the property caused by the renter as well as the host's civil liability towards the traveler.
• Airbnb Host Protection Insurance (included in AirCover for Hosts) which is a basic guarantee provided by Airbnb. It covers damage to the property and the host's personal belongings up to a certain amount (generally US$1 million) as well as the host's civil liability to third parties.

Watch out!

It's important to note that Airbnb Host Protection insurance does not replace a full home insurance policy. It acts as an additional safety net. As a host, it's essential to review your existing home insurance to ensure it covers short-term rentals through Airbnb.

As a traveller, it is recommended to take out additional travel insurance, particularly with civil liability cover. Compare the best policies now!

What does Airbnb insurance cover?

AirCover is a set of free protections offered by Airbnb for its hosts and travellers.

It includes a number of important guarantees, such as:

For hosts:

For Travellers:

Watch out!

It's important to note that Airbnb's AirCover does not replace comprehensive home or liability insurance.

Is Airbnb Insurance Enough?

Airbnb insurance, known as AirCover, is generally not enough for hosts and travelers. You should always consider getting additional Airbnb insurance cover in addition to AirCover.

For Hosts:

• Limited Coverage: Airbnb Insurance only covers up to $3 million USD, which may not be enough for significant damages.
• Exclusions: The insurance doesn't cover certain types of damages, such as those caused by pets or professional events.
• Liability Coverage: Airbnb insurance covers only personal injury and property damage, not other types of damages, such as those caused to a third party's property.
• Home Insurance Required: Even with AirCover, most rental platforms, like Airbnb, require hosts to have home insurance.

For Travellers:

• Limited coverage: Airbnb's Traveler Refund Guarantee only covers the amount of the reservation and does not cover other costs, such as alternative transportation or accommodation costs.
• Exclusions: This airbnb insurance does not cover certain types of cancellations, such as cancellations due to force majeure events.
• Recommended travel insurance: Even with AirCover, it is highly recommended that travelers purchase comprehensive airbnb insurance coverage, especially for trips abroad.

Good to know

In summary, AirCover offers basic protection, but it doesn't replace a full insurance policy for hosts and travelers.

What other insurance can cover problems during an Airbnb stay?

In addition to AirCover and traditional home and travel insurance, several types of insurance can provide additional coverage for Airbnb hosts and travelers in case of a problem:

For hosts:

• Airbnb insurance for hosts: covers your property and possessions, including Airbnb insurance cover for the damage of the property, theft, and third party claims. You can also get specific coverage for short-term rentals, such as loss of rental income if a trip is canceled.
• Airbnb insurance for hosts: includes cover for accidental damage to appliances, furniture, and other personal belongings in the rented home.
• Airbnb insurance for hosts: covers legal fees in case of a dispute with a guest, such as a payment problem or a security deposit dispute.

For Travelers:

• Airbnb Insurance : covers the cost of your reservation in the event of a cancellation for an unforeseen reason, such as illness, accident or job loss.
• Airbnb Insurance : covers the additional costs if you need to interrupt your stay prematurely due to an unforeseen reason, such as a natural disaster or family emergency.
• Airbnb Insurance : offers comprehensive coverage for travel abroad, typically including health insurance, repatriation assistance, civil liability insurance and baggage insurance.

Take out travel insurance that covers cancellation, interruption and the various risks that may arise during your Airbnb rental.

What risks are covered by my insurance for Airbnb rentals?

As you've probably realised, Airbnb insurance isn't comprehensive enough to effectively protect you as a host or traveller during your stay. However, you can get better coverage with other types of insurance. Here's a breakdown of the coverages offered based on your situation and common events:

What additional home insurance policies should you choose to be fully covered?

For hosts:

In addition to basic insurance (contents, buildings, home) and assistance contracts (AirCover for hosts, travel), additional options may prove useful for optimal coverage in the event of an Airbnb rental for hosts. Airbnb insurance for hosts can help you be prepared for unexpected events and give you peace of mind. You might want to consider airbnb insurance cover if you are a host in Ireland. There are airbnb insurance ireland policies available to suit a wide range of needs.

For Airbnb renters:

Similarly, travelers can purchase additional Airbnb insurance cover to ensure they are covered as much as possible during their Airbnb rental:

Can I benefit from Airbnb Cancellation Insurance?

For Hosts

Hosts on Airbnb can benefit from some protections in the event of a cancellation, but these are generally limited by the platform's terms and conditions and available insurance.

Aircover for hosts includes some protections, but mainly against material damage caused by travellers.

This guarantee does not cover cancellations by travellers in a standard way. Cancellation policies are defined by the hosts themselves (Flexible, Moderate, Strict).

Good to know

The advantage is that this allows hosts to choose the cancellation conditions that best suit their needs and offers some flexibility for them.

For Travellers

Travellers can benefit from various protections against cancellations, including through Aircover for Travellers and specific airbnb insurance policies:

• Aircover for Travelers Refund Guarantee: Aircover for Travelers includes a limited refund guarantee for certain cancellation cases. It covers cancellations made by the host, inadequate accommodation conditions, and some other cases of force majeure. It thus ensures a refund or relocation in some cases of cancellation but is limited to the conditions defined by Airbnb, does not cover all possible situations.
• Specific Travel Cancellation Insurance: Travelers can take out independent travel cancellation insurance that covers a wide range of cancellation reasons. This covers cancellation for medical, professional, or unforeseen personal reasons with a reimbursement of rental costs and other expenses related to the cancellation.

Airbnb Damage Protection Insurance: How Does It Work?

Airbnb Damage Protection Insurance is a protection that aims to cover the material damage caused by a traveler to a rental property during an Airbnb stay. In the event that an object is broken or damaged, the host can use this insurance to get a refund.

For this insurance to intervene, the host is obligated to report the damage within 14 days of the traveler's departure. They will need to provide evidence of the damage, such as photos or invoices.

AirCover for hosts, included in this insurance, can reimburse up to US$3 million in the event of major damage.

It's important to note that this insurance does not replace a standard home insurance policy and only covers eligible property in the event of an eligible loss.

How to File a Claim with your Airbnb Insurance?

In the event of a claim or cancellation during an Airbnb rental, it is important to follow the proper steps to ensure your Airbnb insurance coverage works for you.

Here are the general steps to follow, illustrated with examples for hosts and guests:

For Hosts

With AirCover: Reporting a claim to Airbnb

• Log in to your Airbnb account.
• Go to the "Help" section and then "Resolution Center".
• Select the option "Report a problem" and follow the instructions.
• Describe the incident in detail, including photos or supporting documents if possible.

Expert advice

Water damage occurs in your Airbnb listing during a guest's stay. You need to report the incident to Airbnb by providing photos of the damage and a detailed description of what happened.

With a private insurance policy: Contact your insurance company

• Refer to your insurance policy for the contact details of your insurance company.
• Have your claim number for your Airbnb booking handy.
• Explain the incident to your insurer and provide all necessary information.
• Your insurer will tell you the process to follow for your claim.

Expert advice

If you have a Homeowner's insurance policy that covers water damage, contact your insurance provider. Provide them with your Airbnb claim number and the details of the incident. Your insurer will guide you through the steps for getting compensation.

Your insurance provider will ask you to provide supporting documents to support your claim.

This may include photos, repair invoices, quotes, police reports, etc.

Your insurer will review your file and inform you of their decision within the stipulated timeframes. If you have any questions or are missing any documents, your insurer will contact you. If your claim is accepted, you will receive compensation in accordance with the terms of your contract.

Watch out!

Meet the reporting deadlines for incidents with Airbnb and your insurer, usually 24 to 72 hours after the event occurs.

For Travelers

Reporting an incident to Airbnb:

• Log in to your Airbnb account.
• Go to the "Help" section and then "Resolution Centre".
• Select the option "Request a change or cancellation of booking".
• Explain the reason for your request and provide the necessary supporting documents (medical certificate, professional summons letter, etc.).

Expert advice

You need to cancel your Airbnb stay due to a serious illness. Declare your cancellation on Airbnb by attaching a medical certificate confirming your health status.

Contact your insurer :

• Refer to your insurance policy to find the contact details of your insurance company.
• Have your Airbnb claim number ready.
• Explain the reason for your cancellation to your insurer and provide any required documentation.

How much does Airbnb insurance cost in 2025?

Airbnb insurance, known as AirCover, is offered for free to hosts and guests for every reservation made on the platform. However, Airbnb offers travellers the possibility of taking out additional travel insurance when paying for their reservation. The cost of this insurance varies depending on various factors such as the destination, duration of the stay and the traveller’s profile. It’s important to note that this option is not available in all countries. It’s therefore advisable to check the details of this insurance during the booking process.

Kate O'Brien

Specialist in personal finance

Kate is a specialist in personal finance with a strong academic and professional background. Originally from Cork, she studied Economics at Trinity College Dublin and completed a Master’s in Financial Management at University College Dublin. Before joining HelloSafe, she worked in consumer banking and later in digital content for financial startups. Her passion lies in making financial topics like insurance, credit, savings, and budgeting simple and accessible for Irish consumers. At HelloSafe, Kate creates reliable, easy-to-understand guides designed to help readers take control of their money with clarity and confidence.