Does Travel Insurance Cover AirBnb? Everything You Need to Know
Since it launched in 2008, Airbnb has become a household name among avid and casual travelers. By offering unique vacation accommodations and experiences, Airbnb is able to provide a service that many hotel chains simply can’t compete with.
However, these stays often come with a steep price tag, with NerdWallet reporting that Airbnb stays can be more expensive than hotels for many solo travelers and couples. With high costs involved, it’s no surprise that Airbnb guests are looking to protect their trip investment in case they can no longer travel.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Airbnb?
Yes, travel insurance policies can offer coverage for Airbnbs, or similar vacation rentals like VRBO. In the vast majority of cases, travel insurance providers will treat your Airbnb stay as it would a hotel, resort, or other type of lodging arrangement. This means your booking must be prepaid and nonrefundable in order to be covered by insurance.
Some examples of coverage you may receive through a travel insurance policy for your upcoming Airbnb stay include:
- Last-minute cancellations by your Airbnb host
- Airbnb booking cancellations due to you or someone in your group falling ill
- Your personal belongings being stolen from the rental property
- If you need to return home early for a covered reason
- If the Airbnb is or becomes uninhabitable
Having a travel insurance plan heading into an Airbnb stay offers plenty of benefits and protection as a guest. At a fraction of the cost of your stay, a policy can offer financial protection for you and your group.
Does Airbnb Offer Travel Insurance?
According to Airbnb, guests in the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, and other European Union nations buy travel insurance when booking a trip on Airbnb. This insurance is offered through Generali, and guests can add the policy to their booking when making a reservation. The premium will be shown as a line item at checkout.
What Does it Cover?
The policy offered through Airbnb provides coverage for a wide-range of travel concerns and a competitive price. Coverage includes the following:
- Trip Cancellation: Get reimbursed up to 100% of your Airbnb cost if you need to cancel due to serious illness or flight cancellations and mandatory evacuations relating to weather. The cancellation policy covers guests’ unused Airbnb reservation costs should they have to return home for a covered reason.
- Flight Delay: Receive up to $750 per person for covered delays more than 12 hours.
- Medical Emergencies: Get reimbursed up to $50,000 for doctor ordered medical services including hospital bills, ambulance rides, and prescription medicines. This policy will not cover medical emergencies relating to a pre-existing medical condition unless stated otherwise.
- Baggage Loss & Delay: Guests can get reimbursed up to $1,000 per person for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage and travel documents, as well as unauthorized use of credit cards. If baggage is delayed, policyholders are covered for up to $250 in expenses to purchase necessary items such as toiletries and clothes.
The above insurance coverage was accurate at the time of publishing this article, but is subject to change.You can see the full policy details here.
How Much Does Airbnb Travel Insurance Cost?
Much like most comprehensive single-trip travel insurance policies, AirBnb’s travel insurance premium is a percentage of the total reservation cost. Generally, the cost of Airbnb travel insurance is similar to the cost of a policy purchased through a travel insurance comparison site like Squaremouth. Your premium will depend on the length of your stay, your trip costs, your age, and other risk factors.
Should You Get Your Travel Insurance Through AirBnb?
While Airbnb offers their own policy, it’s always smart to compare policies that offer similar benefits to find the best coverage for the best price. Cost and coverage can vary dramatically from one travel insurance company to the next, so we recommend comparing policies from multiple sources before making an insurance decision.
Some places to get quotes may include Airbnb, comparison sites, and airlines.
Squaremouth’s Travel Insurance Recommendations:
For most trips that involve a vacation rental, we recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes the following benefits:
- Trip Cancellation: Provides reimbursement for your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you need to cancel for a covered reason, such as unforeseen injuries, illness, and natural disasters.
- Trip Interruption: Offers reimbursement for any unused, non-refundable trip costs if you need to end your trip early for a covered reason.
- Travel Delay: Covers the cost of food and accommodation if your flight is significantly delayed on route to your destination.
- Emergency Medical: Covers the cost of emergency medical services, including hospital bills and ambulance rides, if you experience an unforeseen illness or injury during your trip. Exclusions apply.
- Medical Evacuation: Will reimburse the cost of emergency medical evacuation transportation services if deemed necessary for adequate treatment.
- Baggage Delay: Provides reimbursement for clothes, toiletries, and other necessities if your baggage is delayed in transit by at least 24 hours.
- 24-Hour Travel Assistance: Every travel insurance provider on Squaremouth offers 24-hour support before and during your trip, as well as insurance claim assistance.
Is It Worth It to Get Travel Insurance For An Airbnb?
The financial cost of traveling can be significant, especially when considering the cost of Airbnb’s, airfare, and pre planned activities. Getting travel insurance can mitigate the risk of financial loss by providing comprehensive coverage for common travel disruptions, including medical emergencies, delays, and canceled flights.
Be sure to read through all policies and their fine prints before choosing a plan. While Airbnb does offer generous coverage, it may not cover everything you plan to do on your trip. In this case, we suggest reviewing comprehensive policies from other reputable providers.