Accidental Damage In An Airbnb

What Happens If Someone Accidentally Damages Something While At My Airbnb?

Perhaps you’re thinking about launching an Airbnb or setting up your business and hearing some Airbnb horror stories. You may wonder if there’s damage protection for hosts you can use to protect yourself from damaged property costs.

If you have a contract in place, you can require guests to notify you immediately if something’s damaged, allowing you to begin the claims process. You must inform potential guests when they are booking that a signed contract is a requirement and let them know the contract terms before they book. Failing to take these steps could render the contract invalid. 

Airbnb provides AirCover, an accidental damage insurance covering up to $3 million. In addition to this accidental damage protection, AirCover pays up to $1 million for premises liability claims against hosts.

Reviewing AirCover’s terms and exclusions ensures you understand your protection and whether you need additional insurance to protect yourself against accidental damages or premises liability suits, such as Airbnb injury claims.

How Do I Protect My Airbnb From Potential Damages?

In addition to creating a contract for guests that outlines your recourse for damages, taking a few other steps can help reduce the risk of damages.

• Verify guests: Require proof of identification and the right to immediately terminate their stay if the person who made the booking isn’t present
• Collect a security deposit: Have guests pay a non-refundable security deposit to protect yourself from last-minute cancellations. When guests have paid a considerable sum upfront, they’re more likely to value your property and respect the conditions of their stay.
• Option to terminate: Include an option to terminate the guest’s stay immediately if they violate contract terms, such as damaging property, hosting loud parties, or engaging in illegal activity, such as using drugs

Using a cleaning crew is an effective way to ensure your Airbnb is ready for the next guests, even if guests leave garbage throughout the unit. 

Common Causes Of Damage To Airbnbs

Some of the common Airbnb damages hosts deal with include the following:

• Broken furniture
• Broken vases or decorations
• Chipped or broken dishes
• Flatware stuck in the garburator
• Holes in the wall
• Permanent stains on furniture, carpet, or bedding

The source of these damages varies. Sometimes, a person is careless, bumps into a bookshelf, and knocks off something breakable. Sometimes, guests don’t know how to use the garburator or aren’t paying attention and get something stuck in it. 

Children and pets pose unique risks because they may overlook hazards in their environment. Pets may also be distressed and have an accident indoors in a strange environment.

In addition to legitimate accidents, damages occur when guests plan to party and have many people visit their Airbnb. Hosts may take special precautions during spring break in the U.S. if they’re in an area that attracts college students. 

What Happens If You Don’t Pay Airbnb Damages?

If they damage an Airbnb, guests have two options. One is to pay for the damages promptly. The other involves filing an appeal. 

Unless you pay or file an appeal, the credit card you used to book your Airbnb will be charged for the damages. 

How A Premises Liability Attorney Can Help

Whether you’re a host or a guest dealing with accidental damage in an Airbnb in Las Vegas, Adam S. Kutner, Injury Attorneys, can help. 

We work with hosts to enforce damage protection terms outlined in guest contracts. We’ll prepare legal arguments to support contract enforcement and collect evidence that supports your claim. We can also help you create a contract with an Airbnb damage policy before you begin hosting guests, ensuring you have adequate protection against accidental damage.

If you’re a guest facing damages charges, we’ll investigate to determine if there was an alternate cause or if there are mitigating factors that reduce or eliminate your liability.

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