(Newswire.net — January 30, 2019) — While on vacation or a quick getaway, we don’t ever expect to be hurt or seriously injured. Most vacationers have been staying at the ever popular Airbnb’s when traveling. Airbnb which stands for Air, Bed and Breakfast has been around for about ten years now and its popularity continues to grow. Airbnb allows you to reserve a house or apartment or any kind of home at a very much reduced rate than that of a hotel on a short-term basis. These rentals come in various sizes to accommodate how many guests will stay. You can even rent mansions if you are financially equipped to do so. It’s sort of like a house-sharing service. It’s definitely more affordable than most hotels, you can choose from many locations and they’re unique in their own way.

So, what happens should a vacationer get injured at an Airbnb? Who’s liable; the guest or the person who owns the property? Get advice from one of the best law firms in Georgia and see what your options are.

• Does Airbnb provide full-time maintenance
• What does Airbnb insurance cover
• The best approach

DOES AIRBNB PROVIDE FULL-TIME MAINTENANCE

While hotels are required to provide full-time maintenance, Airbnb’s are not. Unfortunately, they do not provide the same protection as a hotel would. Hotels have a standard duty to protect their guest from danger and threatening conditions, Airbnb host does not. Airbnb hosts are not mandated to have a full-time upkeep crew, any type of security system, nor are they required to undergo building safety inspections before renting out the property. Hosts do not generally have to have a permit to run a business or register with any types of agencies. Airbnb will prepare their hosts with a listing of “suggested obligations” that they should keep in mind or adhere to when they’re hosting. The list should include necessary emergency procedures, they need to reveal any type of security cameras or other surveillance equipment at the Airbnb property, occupancy limits should be established, they also need to pinpoint and make known areas that can be harmful to the guest. Unfortunately, there are no these things can only be recommended and not enforced. When renting out an Airbnb guest should keep in mind that they should maintain the inside of the house during their stay. There is no housekeeping to make your beds, clean the bathrooms or bring fresh towels. You are able to shop and cook as you see fit, which is one of the good things about Airbnb’s, it should feel like a home away from home.

WHAT DOES AIRBNB INSURANCE COVER

Airbnb has Host Protection Insurance; they have a primary policy which is insurance that will cover any type of injuries prior to any other insurance policies. They also have liability coverage for bodily injuries involving third parties, or damage to the property and that coverage goes up to one million dollars. Host Protection Insurance would cover a lodger slipping on something in the house and they just so happen to file a lawsuit against the host. It would also cover a guest if they are hurt if the host has a personal gym of some sort on site that they are allowed to use. Claims regarding property damage are pretty much straight forward. Host Protection Insurance covers damage to the actual residence or structure of the property. It does not, however, cover the property of the renter or the homeowner’s; this could include items like jewels or furniture or other miscellaneous items. For example; if one of the guests staying on the property should happen to break a door, damage the walls or something of that nature, that damage would be handled by a property damage claim. Personal items are not covered and if the host has any type of insects or mold, these things are not covered either. Unfortunately, most guests do not think of these things before deciding to rent an Airbnb or they make take for granted that they are covered if issues arise.

THE BEST APPROACH

When seeking insurance for Airbnb you want to make sure to have all your ducks in a row as insurance policies can be quite complicated. So what can you do to protect your home, your property and even you, the homeowner?

Having insurance coverage for house sharing activities i.e. Airbnb is the smartest thing a homeowner can do when running this type of business. Unfortunately, the Host Guarantee is not a policy and doesn’t cover the entire scope of possible damages. You should discuss with your agent the different options for the types of insurance that would suit you and your situation. Discuss all aspects of the policy you intend to purchase with your agent. You may also want to look into an umbrella policy. This type of policy will help cover unforeseen issues that may not normally be covered.  

Some insurance companies are able to help by suggesting that Airbnb hosts get coverage explicitly for their situation, while other insurance companies can leave them hanging wondering if their claims will be accepted or not. Again, get advice and talk with your agent about what is covered, should you use your property as an Airbnb. They will be able to give you advice and point you in the right direction. You can also consult with the best law firms in Georgia to make sure you’re making smart choices.

If the Airbnb isn’t covered by your home insurance policy, you can still search for another company that will help you choose a policy that specializes in vacation rentals that are used for short term.

I’m sure we all want to be protected when we rent property or vacation. Nonetheless, you want to make sure that wherever you vacation or rent an Airbnb; you understand the insurance laws as they could possibly differ from state to state. Do your due diligence and make sure you are okay with the rules of the property in which you will be staying. No one wants any surprises while on vacation. If you’re aware of the insurance in place, then you’ll be better prepared if something arises.