Insurance experts claim there are new issues facing short-let landlords following Airbnb's worldwide ban on the use of security cameras inside rental properties.
Standard home insurance policies are designed to protect homeowners from risks associated with their property, such as theft, fire, and natural disasters. These policies don’t usually cover activities that are deemed commercial, including renting out all or part of the home to guests.
For example, if a guest damages the property during their stay, the host might find that their standard home insurance policy doesn’t cover the damage. As a result, they might have to pay for repairs or replacements themselves.
The nature of Airbnb, with a high turnover of guests, means there is a higher risk of damages and incidents happening on the property. This increases the chances of hosts needing to make an insurance claim and highlights the importance of a specialised policy that covers short-term rentals.
“To fully protect themselves, Airbnb hosts could look at these types of insurance cover:” says Matthew Harwood of Confused .com.
- Short-term rental insurance: Specialised policies that provide comprehensive coverage for short-term rental activities. These policies typically include protection against property damage, liability claims, and sometimes even loss of income.
- Commercial liability insurance: While some short-term rental insurance policies include liability coverage, hosts could also buy separate commercial liability insurance so they’re protected against guest claims.
- Contents insurance: For hosts renting out furnished properties, ensuring that the home's contents are covered against damage or theft by guests is wise.
Harwood says there are steps landlords should take to avoid invalidating an insurance policy.
These include:
- Notify your insurer: Before listing a property on Airbnb, homeowners should speak to their home insurance provider and find out how renting their property might affect their home insurance;
- Understand policy exclusions: It's vital for hosts to thoroughly understand the exclusions and limitations of any insurance policy they buy so they know what they’re covered for. Speak to your insurer about this;
- Choose the right coverage: Hosts should buy insurance policies specifically designed for short-term rentals, which can provide specialised cover;
- Review regularly: As the Airbnb platform and insurance products evolve, hosts should regularly check their insurance policy to make sure it’s still suitable..
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I don’t have Airbnbs, but the idea of cameras being in the property I rented does not sit well, in the communal corridors etc, outside the front door 🚪👍🏻 But inside 🫣🫣. Not a chance.
100% Simon. I do have Short term let properties but wouldn't dream of having cameras in them.
I have had Tenants with cameras on the kitchen cupboards in 2 houses secretly when I became aware had to tell gas engineer we were being observed he was not impressed.
Cameras inside rentals strikes me as decidedly pervy
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