Airbnb provides some insurance, but it is not comprehensive homeowners or renters coverage
Airbnb offers two separate insurance programs: Host Protection Insurance for property owners who list on the platform, and Guest Damage Protection for travelers. Neither one replaces your own homeowners or renters insurance. Host Protection covers damage to your property and certain liability claims, but it has limits and exclusions. Guest Damage Protection reimburses hosts for specific types of guest-caused damage. Both programs have caps on payouts, require you to report damage within a set timeframe, and exclude certain situations entirely.
The key point: Airbnb insurance is a secondary layer. If you own a property or rent one out, you still need your own homeowners or landlord insurance. If you are a guest, your own renters or homeowners policy may cover your belongings while you travel, depending on what you own.
Key Takeaways
- Host Protection Insurance covers up to $1 million in property damage and liability, but only after your own homeowners insurance is exhausted.
- Guest Damage Protection reimburses hosts for damage caused by guests, with a cap of $3,000 per incident in most locations, and requires photos and a damage report within 14 days.
- Airbnb insurance does not cover intentional damage, damage from parties or events, damage from pets, or damage that occurred before the guest checked in.
- Your own homeowners or renters insurance is your first line of protection and may not cover short-term rental activity, so you should contact your insurance company before listing.
- Damage claims through Airbnb can take weeks to resolve, and Airbnb may deny claims if documentation is incomplete or if the damage falls outside covered categories.
What Host Protection Insurance covers
If you list a property on Airbnb, Host Protection Insurance automatically covers you at no extra cost. The program covers up to $1 million in property damage to your home and up to $1 million in liability protection if a guest is injured on your property and sues you. This applies only if the guest's injury claim is not covered by your own homeowners insurance.
The coverage is secondary, meaning Airbnb pays only after your homeowners insurance has paid out or declined the claim. If you do not have homeowners insurance, Airbnb will cover the first dollar of a claim. However, many homeowners policies exclude short-term rental activity entirely, so your insurer may deny a claim and leave you relying on Airbnb's coverage.
Host Protection does not cover damage you cause yourself, damage from normal wear and tear, damage from your own negligence, or damage that happens outside the booking period. It also does not cover loss of income if you have to close your listing for repairs.
What Guest Damage Protection covers
Guest Damage Protection reimburses hosts when a guest damages the property during their stay. The program covers accidental damage like a broken window, stained furniture, or damaged appliances. Airbnb will pay up to $3,000 per incident in most U.S. locations, though the cap varies by region.
To file a claim, you must report the damage within 14 days of checkout and provide photos, a detailed description, and repair or replacement quotes. Airbnb will review the claim and either approve it, deny it, or offer a partial payout. The process typically takes two to four weeks.
Guest Damage Protection does not cover damage from parties or events, damage caused by the guest's pets, damage that was present before check-in, damage from natural disasters, or damage from the host's own negligence. If a guest causes damage and then leaves, you cannot claim compensation for lost bookings during the repair period.
What Airbnb insurance does not cover
Airbnb's insurance has significant gaps. It does not cover intentional damage—if a guest deliberately breaks something, you may have to pursue them in small claims court rather than through Airbnb. It does not cover damage from parties, events, or gatherings, even if the guest did not explicitly throw a party. It does not cover pet damage, even if the guest's pet was allowed under your house rules.
The programs do not cover theft of your belongings or the guest's belongings. If a guest steals from you or you steal from a guest, that is a criminal matter, not an insurance claim. Airbnb also does not cover damage from natural disasters, flooding, earthquakes, or other acts of nature. If your area is prone to these events, you need your own insurance to cover them.
Airbnb does not cover business interruption—the income you lose while your property is being repaired. If a guest damages your kitchen and you have to close for two weeks of repairs, Airbnb will pay for the repairs but not for the bookings you lost. You also cannot claim compensation for the time you spent managing the claim or coordinating repairs.
How to file a damage claim with Airbnb
If a guest damages your property, log into your Airbnb account and go to the Resolution Center. Select the booking in question and choose "Report damage." Upload clear photos of the damage from multiple angles, write a detailed description of what happened, and include repair or replacement quotes from contractors or retailers. Airbnb recommends getting at least two quotes so they can verify the cost is reasonable.
Submit your claim within 14 days of the guest's checkout. After you submit, Airbnb will contact the guest and ask for their version of events. The guest may dispute the claim, provide their own photos, or explain why they believe the damage was pre-existing. Airbnb reviews both sides and makes a decision, which usually takes two to four weeks.
If Airbnb denies your claim, you can appeal by providing additional evidence. If you disagree with Airbnb's decision, you can pursue the guest in small claims court, though this is time-consuming and the guest may not have funds to pay a judgment. Many hosts find it faster to absorb small damages than to go through the claims process.
Why you still need your own homeowners or renters insurance
Airbnb insurance is a safety net, not a replacement for your own policy. If you own a home and list it on Airbnb, your homeowners insurance may not cover short-term rental activity. Many standard policies exclude income from renting out the property or cover only long-term tenants. If you file a claim with your homeowners insurer and they discover you were running a short-term rental, they may deny the claim or cancel your policy.
Before you list, contact your homeowners insurer and tell them what you plan to do. Some insurers offer riders or endorsements that cover short-term rentals. Others will not insure short-term rental properties at all. If your current insurer will not help, you can look for a specialist short-term rental insurance policy, though these are more expensive than standard homeowners coverage.
If you rent your home from a landlord, your lease may prohibit short-term rentals. Even if it does not, your landlord's insurance does not cover your guests' damage. You need renters insurance that covers short-term rental activity, which is rare in standard renters policies. Again, you may need a specialist policy.
What guests should know about Airbnb insurance
As a guest, Airbnb does not insure your belongings or provide travel insurance. If you bring a laptop, jewelry, or cash and it is stolen or damaged, Airbnb will not compensate you. Your own renters or homeowners insurance may cover your belongings while you travel, but you should check your policy before you book.
If you are injured at an Airbnb property due to the host's negligence—for example, a broken stair that the host knew about—you may be able to file a liability claim against the host's insurance. However, this requires proving the host was negligent, which is difficult. You would likely need to hire a lawyer, and the process takes months or years.
Airbnb does offer a Host may provide that reimburses guests up to $3,000 if the host damages the guest's belongings during the stay. This is separate from Host Protection Insurance and covers only damage caused by the host, not theft or damage from other guests.
Common reasons Airbnb denies damage claims
Airbnb denies claims when the damage report is incomplete—missing photos, no repair quotes, or a vague description of what happened. If you report damage three weeks after checkout instead of within 14 days, Airbnb may deny the claim as late. If the guest disputes the claim and provides photos showing the damage was pre-existing, Airbnb may side with the guest unless you have check-in photos proving otherwise.
Airbnb also denies claims when the damage falls outside covered categories. If a guest's pet damaged the carpet but your house rules allow pets, you cannot claim through Guest Damage Protection. If you hosted a party and the damage happened during the party, Airbnb will deny the claim even if you did not throw the party yourself. If the guest disputes liability and Airbnb cannot determine who caused the damage, they may deny the claim or offer a partial payout.
To protect yourself, take photos of your property before each guest checks in, document the condition in writing, and take photos when ready after checkout if you notice damage. Keep all repair quotes and receipts. If a guest reports damage to you, ask them to document it in the Airbnb messaging system so there is a record. The more evidence you have, the stronger your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Airbnb insurance cover theft?
No. Airbnb's Host Protection Insurance and Guest Damage Protection do not cover theft of your property or the guest's property. If a guest steals from you, you would need to file a police report and pursue them in small claims court. Theft is a criminal matter, not an insurance claim.
Can I list my property on Airbnb if my homeowners insurance does not cover short-term rentals?
Technically yes, but it is risky. If you file a claim with your homeowners insurer and they discover you were running a short-term rental, they may deny the claim or cancel your policy. Contact your insurer first and ask about riders or endorsements. If they will not cover short-term rentals, look for a specialist short-term rental insurance policy before you list.
What happens if a guest damages my property and refuses to pay?
File a claim through Airbnb's Resolution Center within 14 days of checkout. If Airbnb approves the claim, they will attempt to charge the guest's payment method. If the charge fails or the guest disputes it, Airbnb may deny the claim. You can then pursue the guest in small claims court, but this is time-consuming and the guest may not have funds to pay.
Does Airbnb insurance cover damage from parties?
No. Guest Damage Protection explicitly excludes damage from parties, events, or gatherings. If a guest throws a party and damage occurs, Airbnb will deny the claim even if you did not know about the party. You can report the guest to Airbnb for violating house rules, but you cannot claim compensation for the damage through insurance.
How long does it take to get paid after I file a damage claim?
Airbnb typically takes two to four weeks to review and decide on a claim. If approved, payment is issued to your Airbnb account within a few days. If you dispute the decision or need to appeal, the process can take longer. Some hosts wait six to eight weeks for a final resolution.