Airbnb AirCover: Insurance for Airbnb hosts

What is Airbnb AirCover?

Airbnb AirCover is a form of Airbnb insurance policy designed to cover both hosts and guests if the worst occurs. It’s important to note that Airbnb is careful not to call AirCover ‘insurance’.

Airbnb is a unique platform. Unlike traditional hotel booking sites like Booking.com and Expedia, which cater to full-time accommodation providers, any individual with an empty property or even a spare room can become a host on Airbnb.

This has presented the platform with a unique challenge. As millions of hosts accept bookings from millions of guests, it was inevitable that there would be issues. And unlike professional accommodation providers, amateur hosts didn’t often have insurance that covers their property for issues caused by paying guests. AirCover Airbnb was the solution to this specific problem.

How does Airbnb insurance for hosts work?

The first thing to note about the Airbnb AirCover policy is that it applies to every booking. You do not need to check a box or sign up – it is simply there. The Airbnb AirCover cost is included within the standard booking fees that the platform takes from each reservation.

The second thing to note is that this policy offers protection to both guests and hosts. Guests enjoy a range of guarantees (booking protection, check-in, get-what-you booked) and access to a 24/7 ‘safety line’ to report emergency safety issues.

Airbnb AirCover for hosts, meanwhile, includes things like guest identity verification, reservation screening, host damage protection, host liability insurance, and access to that same 24-hour ‘safety line’. It is designed to give hosts confidence and encourage them to attract more Airbnb bookings.

Airbnb AirCover for hosts: What is the Airbnb insurance policy?

So, what does AirCover cover? Let’s dig a little deeper into the protection that AirCover offers hosts, and specifically hoteliers.

Guest identity verification

Airbnb now requires all guests to verify their identity with official documentation before allowing them to book using the platform. The cost of the verification process is covered by AirCover.

Reservation screening

While listed under ‘Airbnb AirCover’, reservation screening is more of a platform feature that offers hosts a number of ways to screen potential guests.

You can choose to only accept instant bookings from guests who send an introductory message, who have a profile photo, or who have a ‘good track record’ (people who have previously stayed in an Airbnb without an incident or a negative review). You can also turn the ‘Instant Book’ feature off completely, although this can dent your chances of securing bookings.

Damages protection

Host damage protection offers US$3 million of protection for damage to your property or belongings caused by a guest. This includes cover for outdoor items like vehicles and boats, for extra cleaning fees, and even for income lost if the damage forces you to cancel other Airbnb bookings.

Liability

AirCover also offers US$1 million of protection for rare cases of liability: if you’re found legally responsible for an accident that causes an injury to a guest, or if a guest’s belongings get damaged or stolen during their stay. Co-hosts, cleaners and any other helpers are also covered by the liability policy.

24 hour safety line

If you ever feel unsafe as a host due to guest behaviour, you can call Airbnb’s Safety Line any time of the day or night and speak to trained specialists. The same service is extended to guests.

And what does AirCover not cover? Well, anything that does not stem directly from the guest or someone invited by the guest, won’t be covered. This means you may want to consider additional insurance to make sure you’re covered for bodily injury or other property damage not caused by a guest.

Is Airbnb AirCover worth it for my property? 

The good news is that as a ‘free’ inclusion with every booking, you don’t have to decide whether to take AirCover or not. It’s simply there, if and when you need it. But at this point it’s probably wise that we set some expectations.

If you Google search ‘AirCover reviews’ you’ll be met with a one-star Trustpilot rating and endless stories of hosts feeling confident that they should be covered, but not getting reimbursed through the scheme. The bar for getting any claim approved appears to be incredibly high, leading to many hosts finding themselves in the unenviable situation of having a claim denial placed atop a truly bad hosting experience.

Our advice? Businesses need more protection than Airbnb AirCover provides. Airbnb generally forms just one of many booking channels for small, independent hoteliers (including direct bookings), so you should take out your own insurance policy – one that offers you all the protection you require, and that reduces your reliance on Airbnb AirCover.

This means that you can rest easy knowing that AirCover is there as a backup in certain instances, but that a proper, comprehensive insurance policy forms your first line of defence against unfortunate incidents. It’s all about control, and a bespoke insurance policy will simply offer you more.