Has anyone had their insurance company cancel your insurance once they found out you are renting your rooms as Airbnb?

Alois36
Level 1
Chico, CA

Has anyone had their insurance company cancel your insurance once they found out you are renting your rooms as Airbnb?

I would like to see what insurance companies are out there or what companies you use to cover the regular portion of your home.  

8 Replies 8
Kitty-and-Creek0
Top Contributor
Willits, CA

@Alois36 

Here in California - yes, this is standard in the industry. We need to be honest with our insurance agents, and get a business policy for our Airbnb business. Homeowners will not cover us for STR. Many insurance companies are not writing new policies in California. Ask your agent if they can sell you a business policy for STR. Some agents can and some cannot provide. An agent that can sell a lot of different companies may have access to more choices. Insurance companies in California are already very concerned about fires, floods and earthquakes, so if you still have a homeowners policy, do everything you can to hang on to it. Vast numbers of people are being cancelled in California as there are so many huge losses these days. Your agent may refer you to the state provided policy for those of us who cannot get insurance any other way. It is add-ons/piecemeal with that, but at least there's basic coverage. 

Best of luck on this, you are in good company, a crowd, in fact. This is a very big topic. May your new year be healthy, fun and prosperous. 

That was a very helpful post about a very tricky place (California).  😉

Huma0
Level 10
London, United Kingdom

@Alois36 

 

Here in the UK as well, standard homeowner's insurance policies do not cover STR. Even if you have a long term lodger, they want to know about it and it will affect your premium. Then there is landlords' cover if you are renting out a property separate to where you live, but that usually only covers LTR, not STR. There are very few insurers who cover STR. Seems to be an underrepresented market.

 

Oh, and you should also consider how this affects your mortgage, if you have one, because using a property to do STR can sometimes be in violation of your mortgage provider's T&Cs too.

Ana2038
Level 10
Santa Ana, CA

Our insurance company (USAA - military/veterans) covers STR. Haven’t had an issue as of yet. Best insurance company we’ve ever had……

Helen3
Top Contributor
Bristol, United Kingdom

Hi @Alois36 

 

You can't expect domestic home insurance to cover your STR business.

 

Use an insurance broker or do a Google Search to find home insurance for STRs . 

Hi Helen03

I didn't expect anything.

But thank you for your response.

I am going to google to see if I can get a good insurance company.

 

Happy New Year

Basha0
Level 10
Penngrove, CA

you might check with Foremost. I had them for years but did get dropped due to fire zone. Switched to USAA and am very happy. 

Karol22
Level 10
SF, CA

I got Commercial General Liability insurance coverage, which is pretty standard and covers general slip and fall claims, false eviction claims and much more. This is a liability policy that generally covers against any claims made by the guest against you as a business. It also covers large property damage as well. I purchased this coverage on top of my property insurance policy.