Airbnb Insurance from Massachusetts Specialists

Roger Keith & Sons

What is Airbnb insurance?

Listing properties on Airbnb can provide a substantial side or full-time income. Renting almost always poses some risk, though, even when offering short-term rentals through an online platform. Airbnb insurance may help hosts listing Massachusetts properties protect their properties and themselves from a range of risks.

Airbnb insurance provides specialized protection for hosts who list their properties on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. Policies are adapted for short-term rentals through online platforms.

What hosts in Massachusetts need Airbnb host insurance?

Airbnb host insurance is something anyone with a Massachusetts property on a short-term rental platform should consider. Policies may cover Airbnb, Vrbo, Homestay, Vacasa, Hipcamp, or other listings.

Coverage is generally recommended regardless of whether renting part-time or full-time, and also for any type of property being listed. Primary residences, guesthouses, condominiums, apartments, cabins, and investment properties are normally easy to insure.

What protections come in an Airbnb host insurance policy?

Airbnb host insurance typically provides protection for the property, items kept at the property, and the property owner. Some of the most common protections include:

• Dwelling Coverage: Might insure the listed property against damage that renters, their guests, or other individuals cause. Usually also insures against damage from severe weather and certain other events.
• Personal Property Coverage: Might insure items within the listed property against damage and theft. Usually covers damage caused by renters, other individuals, or events like severe weather.
• Liability Coverage: Might insure against lawsuits brought by renters, their guests, or other individuals who are injured on the property.

Do hosts have insurance coverage through Airbnb itself?

Hosts generally receive some protections through AirCover for Hosts, which is a free coverage that Airbnb gives most hosts. The coverage may include upwards of $3 million against property damage and loss, and upwards of $1 million in case of a liability lawsuit. 

As generous as this coverage is, it still frequently doesn’t provide all of the protections that hosts might want:

• If there’s a major accident, a limit of $1 million in liability coverage may not be enough to cover all of the legal fees and the full settlement amount.
• If something happens outside of a listing, neither property nor liability coverage may apply. AirCover for Hosts is usually only in effect during active rentals.

Additionally, other online rental platforms don’t always provide the same protections that Airbnb does. This can have major implications if listing on multiple platforms.

It’s generally recommended that hosts accept any free coverage that a rental platform offers. Hosts are usually wise to supplement any such protections with their own host insurance policy, however. An insurance agent specializing in Airbnb host insurance can help review a platform’s protections, and recommend any complementary converges that may be helpful.

Can an Airbnb host policy cover a multi-month lease?

Airbnb host policies are tailored for short-term rentals, and often not the best choice for longer rental agreements. Those leasing properties for multiple months might be better served by a traditional landlord insurance policy. A knowledgeable agent can assist in making this determination.

Are Airbnb listings covered by homeowners insurance?

Some homeowners insurance policies might include limited coverage for the occasional Airbnb rental, but not all policies do. Coverage could be available as a standard feature, as an optional feature, or not at all through a homeowners policy.

In many cases, hosts should get a separate Airbnb policy for their short-term rentals. 

How much does an Airbnb host policy cost?

The cost of Airbnb host policies varies, as premiums are based on multiple factors. A property’s location, value, and size can all impact cost. So too can the number of rentals, chosen protections, any recent claims, and many other details.

To find out how much insuring a particular policy will cost, hosts can get quotes from an independent insurance agent.

Where can hosts find Airbnb insurance for Massachusetts properties?

If you list a Massachusetts property on Airbnb or a similar platform, let us at Roger Keith & Sons help with insurance. Our agents will work closely with you, to find an Airbnb insurance solution that’ll protect your property and you well.