Insights and tips on how to protect your property, giving you and your guests peace of mind.
Owning a vacant home can pose serious liabilities due to it being more susceptible to vandalism, undetected repairs, fire and other losses. The insurance risks associated with owning vacant property can be extensive, and to ensure you are adequately protected, it's important to know the risks.
Few things can cause as much dread for a vacation rental property owner than the words “You’ve got bed bugs!” Taking preventive measures can help you avoid the aftermath of a bed bug infestation, but despite your best efforts, the nature of your business means you’re at risk.
No matter what safety precautions you have in place or how well you maintain your short-term rental property, a vacationer could become injured or claim that your negligence caused damage to their property at any time. If you are named as the responsible party in such a suit, you need to defend yourself against the charges – even if you believe that your actions (or inactions) did not contribute to the renter’s injuries.
We have heard about them, we may even know a few, but handling demanding guests can be a difficult and overwhelming task. When listing websites send stress warnings for a 4-star rating, it can be hard not to have some anxiety. Even more, it may have a major impact on where your property lands on the search ranking when a below 5-star rating is left. Here are a few suggestions on how to handle demanding guests at your short-term property.
As a vacation rental homeowner or property manager, the last thing you want to hear is a guest was injured at your property. Unfortunately, injuries can and do happen. Depending on the circumstances, your guest may believe you bear some responsibility for his or her injuries. Of course, being accused of negligent or intentional acts that led to a guest’s injuries does not necessarily mean you are responsible.
Owning and operating a short-term rental property can be rewarding. However, owners have to manage numerous exposures related to lodging, and many offer amenities that can dramatically increase the number of risks. Assessing your exposures and taking the appropriate precautions can go a long way toward protecting your business.
The reality of renting out your home to guests is that vacation renters can, and often do, sue property owners and managers. When guests feel they’ve been harmed by the property owner’s or manager’s actions or negligence, they might find that their only recourse is to take a property owner to court. Those expenses can add up quickly. In addition, there’s the stress of wondering how you will pay a judgment if one is ordered. Without adequate coverage, your business and your personal assets could be at risk.
Short-term rental hosts are allowed to use various surveillance devices to protect their property as long as they are disclosed in the listings, including on Airbnb and VRBO and other vacation rental booking sites. Further, while not forbidden on the exterior of the property, they are prohibited in private spaces, such as bedrooms, bathrooms and other sleeping areas. Here are a few security measures you can take to protect your short-term rental.
Some vacation rental listing sites provide host liability coverage for free or at a reduced cost as part of their service offerings for vacation rental property owners. These types of insurance policies are a good start in managing property owners’ risks. However, relying exclusively on host liability policies could leave you, the property owner, without adequate coverage.
The last thing you want your guests to be thinking about when they walk into your vacation rental property is their safety. You want your guests to know that they are protected and safe at all costs. As a short-term vacation rental property owner, you also want to do everything in your control to make their experience one to remember for the right reasons.