Hosting guests through Airbnb can be exciting and rewarding, but it also comes with risks that every host should understand. From accidental damage to guest injuries, unexpected events can happen even in the most carefully managed homes. That’s why Airbnb introduced AirCover, a free insurance and protection program designed specifically for hosts.
Airbnb AirCover acts as a safety net, giving hosts peace of mind every time they accept a booking. It’s not an optional add-on or an expensive policy; it’s automatically included for every host on the platform. Whether you’re renting out a private room, a vacation cabin, or an entire home, AirCover ensures that both your property and your guests are protected under clear, easy-to-access coverage.
What is Airbnb AirCover?
AirCover is Airbnb’s comprehensive insurance and protection package for hosts. It replaces the older “Host Guarantee” and “Host Protection Insurance” with an improved system that offers greater financial protection and more responsive support.
It provides two main layers of coverage:
- Host Damage Protection – Covers your property and belongings if they are damaged by guests.
- Host Liability Insurance – Protects you if a guest or third party is injured or experiences property loss during their stay.
The best part is that AirCover is completely free and automatically applies to every booking made through Airbnb. This means you don’t need to sign up, purchase extra coverage, or fill out complicated forms to get protection.
AirCover was designed to help Airbnb hosts feel more secure about welcoming guests into their homes. By including this protection automatically, Airbnb makes hosting more accessible and less stressful, especially for new or part-time hosts who may not have experience dealing with insurance matters.
How AirCover for Hosts Works
Whenever a guest books your property through Airbnb, AirCover automatically activates. If something goes wrong during or after the stay—such as damage to furniture, stolen items, or a guest injury—you can submit a claim directly through your Airbnb account.
Airbnb has a dedicated support team that reviews each claim carefully. Hosts are asked to report damages within 14 days of guest checkout and provide evidence such as photos, receipts, or repair estimates. Once verified, Airbnb processes the claim and covers eligible costs.
The process is designed to be transparent and quick. Many hosts report that AirCover has significantly reduced the anxiety that comes with short-term rentals. It also encourages responsible guest behavior, since guests know Airbnb is monitoring and supporting hosts’ rights when something goes wrong.
What Does Airbnb AirCover Cover?
AirCover’s protection is extensive, especially for a free program. The coverage focuses on both damage protection and liability protection, with detailed inclusions that help hosts recover from most unexpected situations.
Host Damage Protection – Up to $3 Million
This part of AirCover reimburses hosts for damage to property or belongings caused by guests. It includes:
- Damage to furniture, walls, or personal items inside your property
- Repair or replacement of valuables and decorations
- Costs for deep cleaning after guest damage, including smoke or pet odor removal
- Lost income if a reservation must be canceled due to property damage
- Pet damage caused by a guest’s animals during their stay
- Reimbursement for stolen items if theft occurs during an Airbnb booking
The $3 million protection limit gives hosts a strong sense of financial security. Whether the damage is minor or severe, AirCover ensures that you won’t have to bear the costs alone.
Host Liability Insurance – Up to $1 Million
Liability protection is equally important. It covers hosts if a guest or third party is injured or experiences property loss related to the stay. Examples include:
- A guest slipping and falling on the property
- A delivery person injured while entering the home
- Accidental damage caused to a neighbor’s property
- Legal fees or settlements related to covered incidents
This liability protection is especially valuable for hosts who operate in busy or shared spaces, where accidents can happen without warning.
What Airbnb AirCover Does Not Include
While AirCover is generous, it’s not a replacement for comprehensive homeowner or short-term rental insurance. There are exclusions that hosts should understand:
- Normal wear and tear or gradual aging of property
- Losses outside Airbnb bookings (for example, damages from long-term tenants)
- Intentional acts or violations of Airbnb policies
- Losses in shared public areas that are not under the host’s direct control
- Commercial or business-specific insurance needs, such as employees or vehicles
- Damage caused by natural disasters in certain cases
Knowing these limitations helps hosts plan smarter. Some experienced hosts combine AirCover with local or third-party insurance to achieve full protection, particularly for expensive properties or those rented out year-round.
AirCover vs Traditional Insurance
Hosts often ask: Do I still need my own insurance? The answer is a resounding yes. AirCover is a foundational, layer of protection, but it is not a complete replacement for a commercial or specialized short-term rental insurance policy.
| Feature | Airbnb AirCover | Traditional Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free, included automatically | Paid premium required |
| Availability | Every Airbnb booking | Must be purchased separately |
| Coverage Focus | Short-term rental stays | General property protection |
| Claim Process | Managed via Airbnb platform | Through insurance provider |
| Support | Airbnb Host Support team | Customer service or broker |
| Limitations | Airbnb-specific coverage | Broader but not platform-linked |
Traditional home insurance often excludes short-term rental activities, which can leave hosts unprotected if something happens during a guest’s stay. AirCover fills this gap by offering targeted coverage specifically for Airbnb scenarios. However, it’s still wise to complement it with local insurance policies for long-term risk management.
Why Airbnb AirCover Matters for Hosts
AirCover brings real value to the hosting experience beyond financial coverage. It creates trust, transparency, and security between hosts, guests, and Airbnb.
For hosts, it means they can open their doors to travelers with more confidence. They know that Airbnb stands behind them if the unexpected happens. This assurance can help attract more listings and maintain higher host satisfaction rates.
For guests, AirCover promotes responsible stays. When guests know their actions are recorded and damages are taken seriously, they tend to treat properties with more care.
AirCover also supports Airbnb’s broader mission to make hosting more inclusive and reliable. With protection automatically built in, even first-time hosts feel comfortable trying short-term rentals without the fear of financial loss.
The peace of mind that comes with AirCover encourages hosts to focus on creating memorable experiences instead of worrying about potential risks. That emotional benefit—feeling safe and supported—often matters as much as the monetary coverage itself.
Conclusion
Airbnb Insurance through AirCover for Hosts is one of the most valuable features of the platform. It combines free financial protection, strong liability coverage, and responsive support to give hosts confidence in every booking.
While it doesn’t replace traditional insurance, AirCover fills a unique need by protecting short-term rental activities that standard policies may not cover. It’s designed to be simple, automatic, and host-friendly.
For anyone considering listing their property, understanding and using Airbnb AirCover is essential. Hosting becomes less about taking risks and more about sharing your space with peace of mind—knowing Airbnb is there to help if something goes wrong.
