If you’re an Airbnb owner, you’ve likely seen the platform promote AirCover as built-in protection for all Airbnb hosts. On paper, it looks generous: free coverage for rental properties, guest damage reimbursement, and liability protection.
AirCover handles a specific set of guest-related risks well, and pairing it with landlord insurance fills in the property risks outside that scope. If you own a short-term rental, or multiple, you'll need landlord insurance to truly safeguard your property from the unpredictability that comes with having renters in your home.
This guide breaks down how AirCover works, what it covers, what it excludes, and how hosts pair it with landlord insurance for broader property protection.
What is Airbnb AirCover?
AirCover launched in late 2021 as Airbnb’s replacement for the Host Guarantee program. It was marketed as a major upgrade, designed to reassure Airbnb hosts that they won’t be stuck paying for costly guest damage.
With AirCover, hosts receive:
- $1 million in liability coverage
- $3 million in property damage protection
- Pet damage reimbursement
- Deep cleaning reimbursement
- Limited income loss protection if bookings are canceled due to guest damage
Superhosts also benefit from a fast-track claims process and a 14-day filing window to report damages.
For Airbnb hosts juggling multiple rental properties, this is meaningful protection on the guest-stay side. The full picture rounds out when AirCover is paired with landlord insurance for the broader property risks.
How AirCover helps Airbnb hosts
AirCover does provide useful protection in certain situations:
- If a guest breaks furniture, you may be reimbursed for repairs
- If a guest’s dog damages flooring, you can file a claim for compensation
- If a guest suffers an injury and sues, liability protections may apply
- If damage forces you to cancel bookings, income loss protection may help
For busy Airbnb hosts, this reduces some immediate risks of welcoming guests into an investment property. AirCover is a host protection program, not a traditional insurance policy. Understanding the difference helps hosts know when each one applies.
What AirCover covers and what it doesn’t
Airbnb describes AirCover as host protection that complements other coverage rather than replaces it. Hosts who pair AirCover with landlord insurance get the broadest protection across the situations each program is designed for. Here’s how AirCover is structured:
When coverage is active
AirCover only applies when your property is actively booked on Airbnb. If the home sits vacant between stays and suffers storm damage, fire damage, or vandalism, there’s no coverage.
How AirCover handles claims
Airbnb requires hosts to first attempt reimbursement directly from the guest before filing a claim. This can mean awkward communication, wasted time, and an uncertain outcome.
What’s covered and what’s excluded
AirCover excludes several high-cost risks:
- Theft
- Wear and tear or gradual maintenance issues
- Damage from natural disasters
- Amenities-related losses like pools or hot tubs
For Airbnb owners who advertise amenities to attract bookings, these exclusions create costly gaps.
Filing a claim through AirCover
Eligible claims often require documentation and photo evidence, with Airbnb retaining final discretion on approval. Hosts who want predictable, contractual coverage on the property side typically pair AirCover with a landlord insurance policy.
Read more: VRBO vs Airbnb: Which is better for landlords?
Why hosts pair AirCover with landlord insurance
AirCover works best as part of a layered protection strategy. It handles guest-related incidents while landlord insurance covers the rest of the property’s risk profile. Investment properties are valuable assets, and the financial risks span well beyond what AirCover is designed to address.
Consider scenarios where AirCover doesn’t apply:
- A storm damages your roof when the property is vacant
- A guest or squatter vandalizes your home outside a booking window
- A lawsuit exceeds the $1 million liability cap
These are everyday risks in rental properties. That’s why many Airbnb owners look beyond AirCover for long-term financial protection.
Airbnb host responsibilities beyond AirCover
AirCover also doesn’t eliminate the obligations Airbnb hosts face under local laws. Cities and states across the U.S. are adding new rules around licensing, safety, and liability.
Recent Airbnb host rule changes highlight how quickly hosting responsibilities can shift. Depending on where your rental is located, compliance requirements may extend well beyond what AirCover provides.
For example, Texas has unique landlord liability standards that could expose Airbnb owners to higher risks. In California, regulations around short-term rentals are strict and evolving. Hosts who carry only AirCover may have gaps for non-guest scenarios such as vacant periods, weather events, and equipment breakdown that landlord insurance is built to cover.
How AirCover fits an investment property strategy
AirCover’s $1 million liability cap sounds high, but lawsuits and property claims can easily exceed it. Large homes, multi-unit buildings, or high-value rental properties face far higher potential losses.
For Airbnb hosts who view their rental properties as long-term investments, AirCover is best seen as supplemental coverage. It can offset some minor costs but won’t safeguard a portfolio.
That’s why many Airbnb hosts explore additional options tailored to short-term rentals. Airbnb hosts insurance options range from STR-specific carriers to standard landlord policies with hosting endorsements, depending on rental frequency and property type.
Final thoughts: layering AirCover with landlord insurance
AirCover is a strong baseline of guest-related protection that comes built into hosting on Airbnb. It covers liability and property damage tied to guest stays within specific limits and a defined claim window.
Pairing AirCover with a landlord insurance policy fills in the property risks AirCover wasn’t built to cover, including vacant periods between bookings, weather events, equipment breakdown, and the broader liability scenarios outside the guest stay window.
At Steadily, we help Airbnb hosts find landlord insurance that complements AirCover. Get a fast and affordable quote in minutes.
.jpg)
.png)