@Amy-and-Brian0
@Fred13 has the exact right approach here...don't expect anything and you won't be disappointed.
This business of host guarantees and having a hosts back covered is simply marketing....it is designed to do one thing only, and that is increase the platform user base.
Unfortunately hosts take what Airbnb say literally and consider they do not need to set up a business working model.
I was like that, all starry eyed, didn't have to bother about expensive insurance, Airbnb were only too willing to help me out if something went wrong....lost count of the number of times in 2015 they told me they had my back covered!! But spending time here on the CC made me realise that the covering Airbnb had on my back was verbal tissue paper.....not something to be relied on for strength.
I took out and insurance policy with a reputable insurer to cover STR damage and liability but, I set a deductable/excess of $3,500 and this brought the premium down to 3/4 of 9/10th off bugger all....it costs me $2.71 per guest night! The insurer (Commercial Union) has been effectively removed from anything but a catastrophic claim. I then took an amount gamble and set up a damage fund, and $4 from every hosting night went into that damage fund. This fund was not for general maintenance, it was to cover breakages and minor damage the guest might do. In my first full year of hosting that $4 per night for my 115 hosting nights amounted to $600. It never actually got to that, things did get broken, but I had my own back covered and when damage occurred I just pulled some money out of that fund, fixed it up and got on with hosting. I have never lodged a damage claim with Airbnb and I never will.
Amy & Brian, try to head off some of these issue from happening in the first place! Get onto Amazon and buy one of these........
Point out to the guest that all hell will break lose if anyone smokes in there and you will be notified on your phone if it goes off. It's a public place like a hospital or a restaurant, smoking is off limits and physically policed!
You can then rest assured that you won't have to deal with that issue again....$48 US is a small price to pay to kiss a major hosting problem goodbye.
PVC clear counter-top protectors are also a good investment. It comes in 3 mt rolls and stops knife damage and makes a careless guest realise, that hot frypan or pot is doing damage before it actually does! At $70 pr roll it is far cheaper and less stressful than hassling about at $4,000 benchtop replacement with the guest and Airbnb!
Without bench protector in place.........
with bench protector......
It is double sided, as soon as one side gets scored, turn it over.....I find one piece lasts for 8 months or more and my timber countertops stay in pristine condition!
Try to take the guesswork out of hosting, it will save your pocket, and your sanity in trying to deal with the Airbnb resolution centre!
Cheers.........Rob