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 offer 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 host
- 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 travel insurance 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’s website, “Guests in the U.S., U.K., and Europe can 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:
- 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 policy will reimburse guests unused Airbnb reservation costs should they have to return home for a covered reason.
- Delay: Receive up to $750 per person for covered delays more than 12 hours.
- Medical: Get reimbursed up to $50,000 for doctor ordered medical services including hospital bills, ambulance rides, and prescription medicines.
- Baggage: 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.
You can see the full policy details here.
How Much Does Airbnb Travel Insurance Cost?
Much like most comprehensive 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 provider or comparison site like Squaremouth. Your premium will depend on the length of the stay, the destination, and other risk factors.
Where Should You Get AirBnb Travel Insurance?
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. We recommend comparing policies from multiple sources before making an insurance decision, such as Airbnb, comparison sites, and airlines if applicable.
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.