Is Airbnb’s AirCover Really Protecting Your STR? Here’s What Hosts Need to Know

Many hosts operate under the false assumption that Airbnb’s AirCover provides full insurance coverage. Unfortunately, that couldn’t be further from the truth—and it could leave you vulnerable to costly damages or income loss.

In this Hosting Hotline episode, we answer a question from one of our YouTube subscribers: Is Airbnb’s liability promise enough? The short answer: no. While AirCover sounds official, it’s not an insurance policy in your name—and it doesn’t cover many of the things you might think it does.

We cover why relying on basic homeowners insurance is also a risky move. Most standard policies don’t allow for short-term rental activity, and if your insurance company finds out, they may cancel your coverage or deny your claims entirely. Damage from guests? Loss of income due to weather events? Many hosts find out too late that they’re not covered at all.

We also talk about:

• Real examples of denied AirCover claims
• Why guest-related damages aren’t even the biggest issue—natural events are
• What to look for in a proper STR insurance policy
• Why having a direct booking site and diversifying platforms protects your income

As hosts ourselves, we’ve seen the value of working with STR-specialized insurers who understand this business. Companies like Proper and Steadily offer policies built specifically for short-term rentals—and give you actual peace of mind.

Finally, we recommend reviewing your policy yearly. Ask your broker questions, and don’t be afraid to shop around. Many providers will give honest reviews of your current policy—even if you don’t switch.

Resources Mentioned:

Steadily – Fast, affordable landlord insurance that also offers policies tailored specifically for short-term and vacation rental hosts. Get a quote in minutes.

Proper Insurance – A leading provider of short-term rental insurance designed to replace a homeowner’s or landlord policy with comprehensive coverage for vacation rentals.

Have More Questions? We’d love to hear from you! Submit your hosting questions to the Hosting Hotline and tune in to the podcast for answers. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more tips: @thanksforvisiting_.

Download a transcript of this episode.

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