Will AirBNB really pay for serious damages?

Anthony608
Level 10
Silver Spring, MD

Will AirBNB really pay for serious damages?

I recently had a guest with a teenage son who had serious emotional problems, would often fight with his mother around 1AM, and frequently kicked and punched things.  During the three week stay, there were two "near misses" where the son could have possibly caused thousands of dollars in damage.  The first was where he nearly put his fist through a wall, something which according to a contractor I know would probably have cost around 2K to fix with the drywall repair, painting, etc.  The second, more serious incident, was nearly shattering a large glass window, brand new and recently professionally installed in a new window frame, which could have easily run upwards of four thousand dollars to repair if the frame itself had been damaged.

 

Long story about conversations with the mother and how yes, they were nearly asked to leave.  But, my main question is would AirBNB have actually paid thousands of dollars in contractor fees to fix major and serious damage to the room?

3 Replies 3
Mike-And-Jane0
Level 10
England, United Kingdom

@Anthony608 I wouldn't rely on Airbnb to pay anything. Either get proper insurance or accept you are taking the risk would be my advice.

Helen3
Level 10
Bristol, United Kingdom

IF you follow Airbnb's criteria for registering a claim and IF the claim is for items covered under their guarantee they will consider a claim.

 

Have you read the T&Cs for the guarantee to see what's covered and what isn't @Anthony608 

 

If not, have a read through and this should give you your answer.

 

Of course their guarantee is limited so you also need your own specialist insurance to cover STRs

Lorna170
Level 10
Swannanoa, NC

@Anthony608  No.  AirBnB will probably not pay. 

 

I would not expect AirBnB to pay anything, especially as I recall that you had other guests staying at the same time as this problem child and his mother, which would give AirBnB deniability under their "before next guest arrives" terms.  If you were to receive compensation from AirBnB, then I would applaud you.

 

Should a guest cause damages to the monetary extent that you are proposing, then I would be applying to my personal insurance policy -- to be clear, a Rental Property Insurance Policy covering short term rentals at my property/home.