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Is Airbnb Travel Insurance Worth It?

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

Travel insurance can protect you in the event of unforeseen delays or cancellations, but whether you should pay extra for it — or rely on what might already be included in the booking — is a perennial question.

We have some answers for you if you’re wondering, “Is Airbnb insurance worth it?”

Here’s the lowdown on what Airbnb insurance covers and what you’ll be on the hook for if you choose not pay extra for it.

What does travel insurance for an Airbnb rental cover?

This type of travel insurance protects the cost of your Airbnb rental if you encounter unexpected disruptions to your travel before or during your trip.

These policies are underwritten by Generali Global Assistance in the U.S. and Aon and Europ Assistance Group abroad. The insurance coverage is available in nine countries where Airbnb offers rentals and will cover up to 100% of your payment if you cancel for a covered reason.

Examples of covered reasons include a delayed flight that prevents you from arriving at your rental on time or having to cancel the trip because you got sick. Other obstacles might include your bags getting lost en route or a hurricane thwarting your plans. Travel insurance for an Airbnb rental would protect you in these situations.

These are some of the covered protections that come with Airbnb travel insurance:

Trip cancellation for a covered reason.

Flight cancellation due to weather.

Illness or injury.

Trip delay of more than 12 hours.

Loss of baggage. 

Natural disasters.

Theft during the stay.

Stolen travel documents.

In the above instances, Airbnb travel insurance would reimburse you the non-refundable cost of the rental. Without insurance, if you had to cancel, you would be subject to the host’s cancellation rules — which could include forfeiting the entire cost of the rental.

» Learn more: How to book an Airbnb

Is Airbnb travel insurance worth it?

Since you can’t see into the future, this type of travel insurance can help protect expensive Airbnb rentals if you can’t make your trip as originally planned.

Remember that Airbnb travel insurance only covers the cost of the rental, not any other related expenses like airline tickets, car rentals or transportation to the property.

To determine if Airbnb travel insurance is worth it, it’s important to know what other types of insurance you already have. Do you have any travel protection through your credit card ? If so, that may be more than enough to cover your Airbnb rental, and purchasing an Airbnb travel insurance policy wouldn’t be necessary.

If you want to rely on another form of travel insurance, a comprehensive plan may offer more protection — like covering additional costs associated with travel disruptions — but it can also be more expensive than what Airbnb offers. A good place to check for the best travel insurance for Airbnb is NerdWallet’s list of best travel insurance companies , where you can compare different options.

» Learn more: What to know before you book an Airbnb

Don’t I already have this with Airbnb AirCover?

No. AirCover protects renters from issues that are within the host’s control, whereas travel insurance protects the renter from things outside of the host’s control, like flight disruptions or personal illness.

AirCover protects the renter if the rental doesn’t meet the advertised standards or if the host cancels at the last minute. It also covers operational issues like a broken heater or if the number of bedrooms didn’t match the listing.

Essentially, AirCover assures travelers that their rental is what was advertised. If any issues arise, Airbnb will help you find a comparable alternate rental within the same price point. Alternatively, if you’d prefer not to be rebooked, Airbnb may issue a full or partial refund.

» Learn more: Are Airbnbs more cost-effective than hotels?

How do you get Airbnb travel insurance and how much does it cost?

If you want to add Airbnb travel insurance to your reservation, it’s easy to do during the reservation process through the Airbnb booking platform. The cost will vary and is based on a percentage of the overall trip cost.

Remember, if you use a credit card with ample travel insurance, you might already be protected.

Can you cancel Airbnb travel insurance?

If you need to cancel travel insurance purchased through Airbnb, it’s possible to do so within 10 days of purchase. For residents of Indiana, you can cancel within 30 days of purchase. However, once the trip begins, you can’t cancel it.

» Learn more: How to get an Airbnb discount

Should I get Airbnb travel insurance?

Is Airbnb insurance worth it for guests? Yes and no. It depends on how you purchase your travel.

If you use a credit card with ample protections already, then you may be fine. Otherwise, a travel insurance policy can help you recoup the cost of your rental in the event of a travel disruption.

Ultimately, it will come down to your own personal risk tolerance, but it’s nice to have the option when booking with Airbnb.

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Travel insurance through Europ Assistance

As of September 2022, guests who live in the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Austria, and Portugal can purchase travel insurance on the checkout page.

The travel insurance policies are offered by Generali's Europ Assistance Group, trading under the Europ Assistance name in the EU and UK.

Don’t live in the UK or the EU countries listed? Travel Insurance is also available to residents of the United States and residents of certain Canadian provinces . Reservation insurance is available to residents of France. And guests everywhere can purchase travel insurance outside of Airbnb, directly through a travel insurance company’s website or by shopping around on a comparison site.

For UK residents

Adding insurance while booking.

You’ll be given the option to add travel insurance on the checkout page when making your Airbnb booking. Before you do, be sure to review the details of the insurance policy being offered and what’s covered to make sure it’s right for you.

Shortly after your reservation is confirmed, you’ll get an email confirming your insurance purchase and providing a copy of your insurance policy. That email will also include a link to your policy details page, which is where you can cancel your policy, start a claim, and more.

Making changes to your reservation

Your travel insurance policy will be automatically updated if the dates of your reservation or guest count change and there is no claim on the existing policy. If the change impacts the total price of your reservation, you’ll be charged or refunded an adjusted amount for your travel insurance.

What the policy covers

The Europ Assistance travel insurance policy includes:

• Travel cancellation : Get reimbursed for up to 100% of your non-refunded Airbnb reservation cost if you cancel for a covered reason, such as: serious illness or injury, a flight delay due to mechanical breakdown, or a natural disaster at your home or destination.
• Delayed departure : Get reimbursed for certain additional expenses you incur because your trip is delayed for 12 hours or more for a covered reason. Covered reasons include a storm, fire, or flood at the departure point; mechanical breakdown of your vehicle; and loss of travel documents or money.
• Medical assistanc e: Get reimbursed for medical expenses you incur while traveling abroad, such as: hospitalisation costs, medication prescribed by a doctor, or ambulance journeys ordered by a doctor.
• Luggage : Get reimbursed if your luggage is lost definitively or damaged by your carrier.

What’s not covered

• Pre-existing medical conditions : If you’re traveling with medical conditions, you may need additional or alternative coverage. For information, contact the Money and Pensions Service by calling +44 (0) 80 0138 7777 or searching their medical cover firm directory .
• Certain travel costs : You can’t get reimbursed for the cost of planned transport (including flights, trains, and ferries) to and from your Airbnb listing if you need to cancel your reservation before you depart on your trip.

Is COVID-19 covered?

Although pandemics aren’t covered by travel insurance, COVID-19 is covered in some situations because it’s considered to be a serious illness. Unexpected illness is a covered reason under the travel cancellation, medical assistance, and travel curtailment benefits. You’re not covered for travel disruptions caused by COVID-19, like border closures and quarantine mandates.

Please note that if you file a claim due to COVID-19, you’ll be asked to provide documentation showing that you, a family member (for example, your child), or someone staying with you at the Airbnb accommodation tested positive while under the virtual or in-person supervision of a qualified medical professional.

Who’s covered

Every policy covers the guest who purchased it and the people who are staying with them at the Airbnb accommodation. These people don’t have to be added to the Airbnb reservation or named on the policy in order to be covered, and there are no age restrictions.

Canceling your policy

UK residents can cancel their policy within 14 days of purchase for a full premium refund. Please note that you can’t cancel your policy after you’ve departed on your trip or started a claim, even if you’re within the 14-day cooling-off period.

To cancel your policy, just go to your coverage overview page and select Cancel policy .

Starting a claim

Claims are handled by Europ Assistance from start to finish. You can start a claim by going to your coverage overview page and selecting Start a claim or by contacting Europ Assistance directly.

How to get help

If you have questions about your policy, need help with a claim, or want travel assistance contact Europ Assistance by calling +44 (0) 203 7888 656 or emailing [email protected] .

For UK residents, travel insurance is underwritten by Europ Assistance S.A. UK Branch.

Europ Assistance S.A. is supervised by the French Supervisory authority (ACPR), 4, place de Budapest, CS92459 - 75436 Paris Cedex 09, France. Europ Assistance S.A. UK Branch is authorized by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of our regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority are available on request.   Europ Assistance S.A. UK Branch FCA register number is 203084.

For UK residents, this travel insurance is arranged by Airbnb UK Services Limited. Airbnb UK Services Limited is an appointed representative of Aon UK Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Aon UK Limited’s FCA register number is 310451, you can check this by visiting the Financial Services Register | FCA or calling 0800 111 6768. Travel Insurance is available to guests aged 18 and over. Full terms and conditions apply. Travel Insurance is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, the remaining products and services are not regulated products arranged by Airbnb UK Services Limited. FP.AFF.343.LC

For EU residents

• Medical assistance : Get reimbursed for medical expenses you incur while traveling abroad, such as: hospitalisation costs, medication prescribed by a doctor, or ambulance journeys ordered by a doctor.

Although pandemics aren’t covered by travel insurance, COVID-19 is covered in some situations because it’s considered to be a serious illness. Unexpected illness is a covered reason under the travel cancellation, medical assistance, and travel curtailment benefits.You’re not covered for travel disruptions caused by COVID-19, like border closures and quarantine mandates.

EU residents (excluding France) can cancel their policy within 14 days of purchase for a full premium refund. Please note that you can’t cancel your policy after you’ve departed on your trip or started a claim, even if you’re within the 14-day grace period.

To cancel your policy, just go to your coverage overview page and select  Cancel policy .

If you have questions about your policy, need help with a claim, or want travel assistance:

• Austria residents: Contact Europ Assistance by calling +43 120 609 2205 or emailing [email protected] .
• Germany residents: Contact Europ Assistance by calling +49 302 238 4619 or emailing [email protected] .
• Ireland residents: Contact Europ Assistance by calling +353 15 41 07 39 or emailing [email protected] .
• Italy residents: Contact Europ Assistance by calling +39 02 23 33 14 35 or emailing [email protected] .
• Netherlands residents: Contact Europ Assistance by calling +31 207003745 or emailing [email protected] . For travel assistance, call +32 2 541 9011.
• Portugal residents: Contact Europ Assistance by calling +34 915 368 419 or emailing [email protected] .
• Spain residents: Contact Europ Assistance by calling +34 915 143 721 or emailing [email protected] .

For EU residents, travel insurance is underwritten by Europ Assistance SA acting through its Irish branch and offered by the insurance intermediary Aon Iberia Correduria de Seguros y Reaseguros S.A.U. with Airbnb Marketing Services S.L.U. acting as an external collaborator. Europ Assistance SA is supervised by the Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution (ACPR) in France, and its Irish branch is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules. Full terms and conditions apply.

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Airbnb Travel Insurance for Guests | What it is and How it Works

Traveling opens doors to new experiences and cultures, but unexpected events can disrupt even the best-laid plans. Trip cancellations, flight delays or medical emergencies can leave you scrambling for solutions and facing financial losses. This is where travel insurance steps in, offering a safety net for unforeseen circumstances.

Airbnb, recognizing this need, offers travel insurance as an add-on purchase for guests during the booking process. But how does it differ from the existing Airbnb Host Guarantee programs like AirCover for guests? Let's delve into the world of Airbnb travel insurance and understand how it can protect your next Airbnb adventure.

AirCover vs. Travel Insurance

It's important to distinguish between Airbnb travel insurance and AirCover for guests . AirCover is a free program offered by Airbnb. It acts as a safety net for situations directly related to the host or the listing itself.

Let's dissect what AirCover covers:

• Listing inaccuracy: Did the pool in the pictures turn out to be a kiddie inflatable? AirCover comes to the rescue if the listing significantly differs from reality and the host can't rectify it. Guests will be assisted in finding similar accommodation or offered a full or partial refund.
• Host cancellation within 30 days: Imagine booking your dream getaway only to have the host cancel last minute. AirCover ensures guests aren't left scrambling. It will help them find alternative accommodation or provide a full refund.
• Unable to check-In (host's fault): You arrived at your stay, but the host is nowhere to be found, or there's a problem with access? AirCover steps in, helping guests find a similar place or offering a full refund depending on the circumstances.

In these scenarios, Airbnb will help you find a similar place to stay or offer a full or partial refund.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance acts as a broader umbrella, shielding guests from a wider range of potential disruptions beyond the scope of AirCover.

Unlike AirCover, travel insurance is an optional add-on purchased during the booking process. It's provided by a third-party insurance company, currently Generali Global Assistance in the US and Europ Assistance Group in other parts of the world) and offers broader coverage for unforeseen circumstances outside the control of you and your host.

What does Airbnb travel insurance cover?

Airbnb travel insurance offers a safety net for various situations that could derail your trip. Here's a breakdown of some key coverages:

• Trip cancellation: If you need to cancel your trip entirely for a covered reason, you can be reimbursed for up to 100% of your non-refundable Airbnb booking cost. Covered reasons typically include illness, injury (to yourself or a travel companion), natural disasters at your destination or unexpected work obligations.
• Trip interruption: Imagine having to cut your Airbnb stay short (due to a covered reason). You can get reimbursed for the unused portion of your accommodation cost, potentially up to 150% (including the initial cancellation reimbursement). This additional 50% might cover some additional expenses incurred due to the disruption.
• Travel delay: Flight delays can wreak havoc on your itinerary. If your trip is delayed by 24 hours or more due to a covered reason (like bad weather or a mechanical issue), you might be reimbursed for expenses like meals, accommodation and local transportation incurred during the delay, up to a certain limit per person (typically $750).
• Emergency medical and evacuation: Accidents or sudden illness can occur anywhere. You get coverage for medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation (including repatriation) if needed during your trip.
• Baggage delay or loss: Misplaced luggage can throw a wrench in your travel plans. If your checked baggage is delayed or lost for 24 hours or more, you might be reimbursed for essential items like toiletries and clothing to tide you over until your luggage arrives.

What does Airbnb travel insurance NOT cover?

This depends on how the coverage is defined and the country of residence of the Airbnb traveler. For example, UK residents are not covered for travel costs such as flights, trains and ferries as well as pre-existing medical conditions.

Policy details relevant to each country including areas of coverage and key exclusions can be found here .

How Does Airbnb AirCover Work with Airbnb Travel Insurance?

Airbnb’s AirCover for guests and travel insurance are two different but complementary products that work well together. For example, if a guest arrives at their destination only to find the host has canceled the reservation at the last minute. Meanwhile, they are informed at the airport that their baggage is missing. While AirCover will help the guest find a new place to stay at no extra cost, they can file an insurance claim to get reimbursed for their missing baggage.

Key Considerations for Guests When Choosing Travel Insurance

While AirCover offers valuable protections related to Airbnb itself, Airbnb travel insurance provides a broader safety net for various trip disruptions.

By understanding the coverage details and comparing it to your specific needs and risk tolerance, you can decide if Airbnb travel insurance is a worthwhile addition to your Airbnb booking. Here are some additional tips:

• Compare costs: Don't just rely on the travel insurance offered during booking. Consider comparing it with independent travel insurance providers to see if you can find a better deal with similar coverage.
• Read reviews: Researching online reviews of Generali's travel insurance can give you insights into their claim settlement process and customer service.
• Consider trip protection on credit cards: Some credit cards offer trip cancellation or interruption insurance as a benefit. Check your credit card's benefits to see if it might already offer some coverage.
• Always review the full terms and conditions of any travel insurance policy before purchasing.
• File claims promptly according to the insurer's guidelines.
• Keep all documentation related to your trip cancellation or disruption, including receipts and communication with the host or airline.

By being prepared with Airbnb travel insurance, you can embark on your Airbnb adventure with greater confidence, knowing you have some financial protection if the unexpected arises. Now you can focus on creating lasting memories during your stay!

Who should consider Airbnb travel insurance?

Travel insurance can be a wise investment for:

• Those with non-refundable bookings: If you've booked an Airbnb with a strict cancellation policy , travel insurance can provide peace of mind in case unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel.
• Those booking expensive trips: For trips with a significant financial investment, travel insurance can help mitigate potential losses due to cancellations or interruptions.

Ready, Set, Go!

Airbnb travel insurance is more than just a step in creating new revenue streams. It’s also a means of providing added convenience to users inclined to purchase travel insurance while keeping them inside the Airbnb platform.

By incorporating this optional safety net, you can approach your Airbnb adventure with a sense of security, ready to embrace the possibilities and forge unforgettable memories. Remember, travel insurance provides a financial buffer, but prioritizing safety and well-being throughout your travels should always be your top priority. Now, bon voyage!

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