There's nothing more "physical" than smoke damage to a home. Ask anyone who's been through even a minor pot of food on the stove fire...and thier insurance agents. THOUSANDS in damage that was NOT corrected until the adjustor came and there were several bids.
Air BNB has this all backwards.
The procedure for an insurance claim is:
1- you report it to Airbnb, who documents it and refers you to the insurance company
2- the insurance adjustor comes and documents everything with photos, statements, and loosk at any other evidence
3- you get bids to fix it and cost estimates for replacements
4- the insurance company averages the bids and makes an offer to pay
5- you agree or appeal
6- Insurance cuts you a check
7- you hire the contractor and get the work done/purchase the items
THIS SEQUENCE IS FOUNDATIONAL TO DOCUMENTING AND GETTING ANY CLAIM PAID. It can take a while depending on the provider and urgency of the situation, but it's standard practice.
I worked in insurance. It appears Airbnb does all of this internally, because no one has complained has mentioned speaking with an adjustor. Is the name of the insurance provide published anywhere in association with this "$1 Million Host Protection" promise?
My hunch is, Airbnb has a policy, but isn't submitting most host claims becuase thier rates would skyrocket, so they're "mediating" them internally and paying nothing or as little as possible to shut us up.
The legality this "internal review" is questionable in addition to the clear breach of contract. Unless enough choose to address this, the abuse will continue.
This breaks down as:
1. 1 Quilt+2 pillows: £15.33
2. 3 10 litres of paint @ 21.33 each: £63.99
3. Pinting labour medium size room: £296
Total: £375,32
Unfortunately, per Airbnb's Terms of Service, we are unable to pursue for replacement of items due to smoke smell as they are non physical damage and cleaning claims. Regarding the items thrown away, we are unable to pursue for reimbursement because photos of damages are a must.
I did not find any professional painter in Soho who would paint my flat for this amount. So its just a joke. They did not pay for the 4 blinds, that were full with coffee spillings and smelled like an ash-tray.
I just wanted to make sure, that Hosts know that SMOKE DAMAGE is not COVERED and the whole insurance thing is like all the insurances always looking for an easy way out. I will reduce my acitivites on AirBnB.
Thanks for brainstorming.