Airbnb Insurance for Hosts: AirCover Explained

Renting out your home on Airbnb can be a great way to earn additional income, but what if a guest damages your furniture, something goes missing or someone is injured? These are sensible questions to ask before welcoming paying guests, especially if you are hosting for the first time.

Airbnb includes protection through its AirCover programme, but it does not cover every risk. This guide explains how Airbnb insurance for hosts works, what UK homeowners can claim for and why separate home insurance may still be necessary.

What Is AirCover for Hosts?

AirCover is Airbnb’s free protection programme, included automatically with eligible reservations. It provides up to $3 million in Host damage protection and $1 million in Host liability insurance, together with guest identity verification, reservation screening and a 24 hour safety line.

The key distinction in Airbnb insurance for hosts is that damage protection is a reimbursement programme, not an insurance policy, while liability insurance applies to certain claims made by other people. For the full terms, see Airbnb’s official AirCover for Hosts page.

What Does Airbnb Insurance for Hosts Cover?

AirCover can help with damage to your home, certain liability claims and some unexpected cleaning costs. The protection available depends on what occurred, who was responsible and whether Airbnb’s eligibility requirements are met.

Host Damage Protection

Airbnb may reimburse eligible damage caused by guests or their invitees when the responsible guest does not pay. This can include damaged furniture, appliances, fixtures and belongings, as well as unexpected cleaning costs such as removing serious stains or smoke odour.

Protection may also apply to pet damage, certain vehicles and income lost when confirmed Airbnb bookings must be cancelled because qualifying guest damage leaves your home uninhabitable. To claim under Airbnb insurance for hosts, you must provide evidence and meet Airbnb’s conditions.

Host Liability Insurance

Host liability insurance provides up to $1 million for eligible claims when a host is legally responsible for someone being injured or their belongings being damaged or stolen during a stay. It may also cover qualifying damage to communal areas or neighbouring homes.

This is different from Host damage protection, which deals with eligible damage to the host’s own belongings. Both benefits are part of Airbnb insurance for hosts, but each has its own rules and exclusions.

Additional Safety and Guest Protection Measures

Airbnb also offers guest identity verification, reservation screening and a 24 hour safety line. These measures aim to identify some higher risk reservations and provide support if an urgent concern arises.

These measures are part of Airbnb insurance for hosts, but no screening system can prevent every problem. Clear house rules, prompt guest communication and checks between stays remain valuable. They can also make it easier to spot and document damage before the next guest arrives.

What Isn’t Covered by Airbnb AirCover?

Airbnb insurance for hosts does not cover every kind of damage or loss. Host damage protection excludes normal wear and tear, routine cleaning, lost cash and damage caused by natural events such as storms or flooding. Unexplained missing belongings may also be excluded where there is insufficient evidence linking the loss to a guest.

AirCover is designed around qualifying Airbnb stays rather than continuous protection for your building and contents. For risks outside those stays, and for reservations on other platforms, see our short term let insurance guide to understand the wider cover homeowners may need.

Is AirCover for Hosts Free?

Yes. AirCover is included with eligible Airbnb reservations at no extra charge, so there is no separate premium or subscription to activate the standard benefits. This is one advantage of Airbnb insurance for hosts, but free inclusion does not mean every claim will be paid. The programme’s exclusions, evidence requirements and deadlines still apply.

How Do Airbnb Damage Claims Work?

If you discover guest damage, take clear photographs and collect receipts, repair quotes or other evidence as soon as possible. You should request reimbursement from the responsible guest through Airbnb’s Resolution Centre within 14 days of checkout, explaining what was damaged and the amount requested.

The guest normally has 24 hours to respond. If they decline, pay only part of the amount or do not respond, you can ask Airbnb to review an eligible Host damage protection request. Keeping records of your home’s condition before and after each stay makes Airbnb insurance for hosts claims easier to support.

Do Airbnb Hosts Need Separate Insurance in the UK?

Airbnb insurance for hosts does not remove the need to check that your own insurance permits paying guests. Standard home policies may exclude short term letting, although some insurers will approve occasional hosting or offer an extension. A specialist policy may be needed for buildings, contents, liability and loss of rental income after an insured event.

Before you start, review your mortgage, lease and insurance conditions, not just the booking platform’s rules. Our Home to Rental guide explains the preparation involved. For London homeowners, our Airbnb management London service operates in a market where the 90 day short letting rule may also affect how a home can be used.

How Does Airbnb’s Protection Compare With Other Booking Platforms?

Airbnb insurance for hosts offers the most comprehensive included package for guest damage reimbursement and liability among the major platforms discussed here. Vrbo provides liability insurance and optional damage arrangements, while Booking.com offers liability insurance for eligible homes alongside damage policies. Expedia Group also supports deposits and damage protection options for certain holiday rentals.

Each platform has different conditions, so cover that applies to an Airbnb booking will not automatically protect a stay booked elsewhere. Read our Booking.com insurance, Vrbo insurance and Expedia insurance guides for platform specific details. Our short term versus long term rental guide also compares the wider responsibilities and costs of different letting models.

How Domistay Helps Protect Your Home

Protecting your home involves more than relying on Airbnb insurance for hosts after something goes wrong. At Domistay, we document each home’s condition during onboarding, while our cleaning teams provide photographic reports after guest stays. These records help identify damage, track maintenance needs and support potential claims. Our guest management service handles guest communication, while we coordinate repairs and assist with platform damage reporting and deadlines.

If you are considering short term letting, Domistay’s Airbnb management service can help prepare your home for guests and manage the daily responsibilities, offering a more hands off approach to hosting. Discover what your home could earn with our free revenue estimator or book a free consultation to discuss your options.

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