Traveling around the world has now become so much more convenient. Booking flights and accommodations can now be done with a swipe of your finger on your smartphone. Aside from this, booking a place to stay has become more affordable. There is a multitude of options out there, from 5-star hotels, backpacker hostels, and the most popular home-sharing service Airbnb.
Airbnb is an online marketplace and hospitality service for people who are looking to rent or lease lodgings for their travels. Airbnb offers a wide variety of spaces that a customer can choose from; apartments, holiday cottages, homestays, even hotel rooms and hostel beds. Although Airbnb doesn’t own real estate properties, they have become one of the biggest accommodation providers.
When traveling, two of the major concerns are safety and security. Airbnb offers Host Protection Insurance, but this is far from comprehensive. The insurance is similar to premise liability where the establishment covers liability and damage claims when a customer, in the case of Airbnb, the renter, gets into an accident while inside the home that they are renting. The insurance also covers any injury that the renter causes inside the property, meaning that if the renter accidentally injured another tenant in the apartment complex where they are renting.
Airbnb’s insurance doesn’t cover the host’s personal property. If a renter damages any of the furniture, fixture, or other belongings of the host, Airbnb will not be liable for its repair or replacement. Their insurance also doesn’t cover issues that may cause damage or injury to the guests like molds or bed bugs. If you’re planning on becoming an Airbnb host, it’s still best to get a homeowner’s insurance for instances when Airbnb’s coverage won’t be able to cover the cost of injury or damages. Here’s the full information about Airbnb’s Host Protection Insurance.
If you’re a guest who plans on renting an Airbnb space, you should always take precautions, especially when you’re traveling abroad. Here are some tips to help you stay safe and secure:
1. Read and digest. – When looking at an Airbnb listing, it’s best that you take time to read about the place you plan to rent. Check the place’s description, the list of amenities available for guests, and the house rules. Check the reviews; this is especially helpful for you to know what previous renters’ experience was like during their stay. Take time to check the host’s verified phone numbers, social media accounts, and references. You can also look for hosts who already has an excellent standing on Airbnb.
2. Keep all transactions within Airbnb. – Whether you’re using the website or the app, it’s best that you keep all of your communications and transactions within Airbnb; this ensures that Airbnb can monitor everything that is going on between you and the host. Airbnb can also safeguard your personal information better when you stay within their network, helping them to lower the risk of fraud and other security issues.
3. No cash transactions. – Although Airbnb charges additional fees (percentage and reservation fees), it’s still best to use their website or app to book your accommodation instead of paying your chosen host with cash. These fees enable Airbnb to protect you or the host in case something untoward happens during your stay.
By Hogan Injury