Airbnb AirCover: How To Claim Reimbursement With Success

Every now and then, you can hear horror stories of guests throwing unauthorized parties at Airbnb properties, which is a nightmare for hosts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this became a significant concern. In response, Airbnb took decisive action by implementing a global ban on all parties.

Even in the absence of troublesome guests, accidents and damages can occur. Fortunately, even if a guest skips out, hosts have the reassurance of being covered for damages through Airbnb’s AirCover policy.

Youngsters throwing parties may have brought a bad reputation to Airbnb. However, they did something about it. Airbnb Aircover is one of the most comprehensive insurance policies for both hosts and guests.

This policy allows for claims of up to three million dollars of damages. Every host can file a damage claim through the Airbnb resolution center to receive compensation.

However, the reimbursement process from Airbnb is very strict to prevent manipulation.

If you want to know how to file a claim and receive reimbursement for damages on Airbnb, read our article.

What is an Airbnb Aircover for hosts?

Airbnb Aircover provides insurance protection for both guests and hosts. The first type of coverage safeguards travelers against unexpected events such as host cancellations or other issues after check-in.

Now, let’s focus on the Aircover protection for hosts, which offers unique features specific to Airbnb.

Hosts can receive up to 3 million dollars in reimbursement if a guest damages their property. This coverage includes damages to:

Art & valuables

Auto & boat

Pet damage

Income loss

Deep cleaning

The introduction of pet damage coverage responds to the increasing demand for pet-friendly homes. Hosts can choose to charge pet fees that cover additional cleaning. If a mishap occurs, such as a pet chewing on furniture, hosts can also claim pet damage and receive compensation for the replacement.

If guests smoke excessively, you can’t do it without deep cleaning. In this case, it is difficult to prepare everything on time before the next guest arrives. Hosts can claim income loss if they need to cancel the next booking.
However, it’s important to note that hosts can’t claim income loss if the next booking is a few days away and they have enough time to prepare the apartment.

Aircover also includes liability insurance of up to 1 million dollars if guests are injured or have their property stolen. (That’s another topic, just to mention that exists).

In what cases does Airbnb not cover me?

Although Aircover provides protection, it doesn’t cover all possible damages.

For instance, natural catastrophes such as earthquakes or hurricanes aren’t included. Additionally, you may rent your listing through other channels or receive direct bookings. Aircover only protects you while you have Airbnb guests.

Running short-term rentals involves regular expenses caused by wear and tear. In other words, amenities and facilities deteriorate naturally being frequently used. Airbnb doesn’t cover these expenses.

How to file an Airbnb request to claim damage?

To claim damage, a host must provide Airbnb with strong evidence that a guest has caused damage.

As soon as the guest checks out, it is important to take photos and videos of the property. You will also need a receipt or estimate from a professional for repair costs.

You have 14 days from the guest check-out date to claim damages.

Let’s take a step back. Many guests will inform you if a mishap occurs and something is broken. Most guests are not intentionally destructive, some are clumsy or inattentive, and accidents do happen. Some of them will admit to causing the damage.

If possible, try to resolve the dispute directly with the guest. Airbnb prefers hosts to handle these issues themselves. If this is not possible, you can file a claim through Airbnb’s Resolution Center. Even in this case, Airbnb will first send a payment request to the guest. If the guest fails to respond within 24 hours, you can contact Airbnb support.

To ensure your claim is successful, it’s crucial to have strong evidence, such as photos, estimates, and receipts. Without this evidence, it will be difficult to prove that the guest caused the damage.

Keep all communication with the guest on Airbnb’s platform. Airbnb will not consider any communication that takes place outside of their system.

Maintain a polite and professional tone when communicating with the guest. Avoid accusing the guest of theft or intentional damage at any cost. An aggressive approach will not help you resolve the issue with your guest or win a dispute with Airbnb.

What happens after a damage claim is requested?

You sit and wait. After you’ve provided all the necessary evidence and contacted Airbnb support, you’ll need to wait for a resolution. Typically, Airbnb will send payment within two weeks.

Common issues with Airbnb AirCover

Proving responsibility for damage can be a hassle. Strong evidence is crucial. One reason some hosts fail to receive reimbursement from Airbnb Aircover is a lack of evidence. Some hosts take pictures of their property every time before a new guest arrives. We find it excessive to take so many photos every time. But it’s a good idea to capture images of at least the most valuable amenities.

Ensure that guests are familiar with your house rules. If you want to prove that a rule has been broken, you need to have the rule written down. In addition to displaying rules inside the rental, it’s a good practice to include them in the welcome messages.

All communication with guests should be kept on Airbnb’s platform. Private messages will not be considered when resolving a dispute.

Important: Hosts have the right to claim damages within 14 days of the guest’s check-out. However, keep in mind that also guests have 14 days to leave a review. It could potentially be a revenge review if they’re upset about a damage claim. To avoid this, some hosts choose to wait for a guest review before making any claims.

Maintain a professional attitude. It’s important to have a prepared response and not let anything disrupt you.

Conclusion

As a host, it’s essential to maintain professionalism when dealing with challenging situations. Act according to the protocol and gather evidence. Never sound confrontational.

Remember, most guests are nice people. Airbnb’s system allows for the smooth resolution of damage issues. Take advantage of the good things and be realistic when estimating damage.