CBIZ Vacation Rental Insurance Blog

When investing, finding a property that will have the greatest return on investment (ROI) is crucial. Short-term rentals have become increasingly popular over the past few years. On the other hand, long-term rentals provide more stability. As a result, determining the correct insurance policy to protect them can be challenging. Which type of insurance do you need for your property? Keep reading to find out!

Finding the correct insurance to cover your business and properties, is challenging enough. Not all policies are created equal and there are an overwhelming amount of options. On behalf of the CBIZ Property Insurance team, we are excited to share that we have expanded our insurance solutions to include more than just short-term rental properties.

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.

While we’re nearing the end of “hurricane” season, with climate change and more active weather patterns, it can last longer or begin earlier. Therefore, you, your family and your guests need to be prepared when a hurricane strikes. Use the following guidance to stay safe and limit potential damage in the event of a hurricane.

With the demand for vacation rentals increasing, so too have the vacation rental rules and regulations. Considering that these days it is a recognized and very popular industry, it makes sense that there should be some set of rules to protect the professional image of the vacation rental industry, after all. That being said, in many instances, objections from the broader community have meant that the regulations that cities impose are quite strict. 

Welcome to the world of running a short-term rental vacation property. While owning an additional property and renting it out to others can make a good amount of money, there is a lot that happens behind the scenes. With decades of experience helping owners insure their most prized assets, we have seen it all and spoken to many amazing people. 

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.

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.

Phishing attacks are constantly evolving in order to capitalize on our information. Phishing is the fraudulent practice of sending emails claiming to be from reputable companies to induce individuals to reveal personal information. As hackers get better and better at their game, it’s important to know how to spot a suspicious email to help your vacation rental business avoid a cyber breach.

With many continuing to work remotely, there is a new craving for travel and working on “vacation” which has opened up a plethora of opportunities for the short-term vacation rental industry. Simply creating an office space in your rental home, offering a contactless check-in, or being more flexible with your bookings, could increase your business earnings exponentially.