Severe storms, flooding, and increasingly unpredictable weather can derail your vacation rental. Many platforms, like Airbnb, offer built-in “protection” programs, but when it comes to real property damage, these programs often fall short — leaving owners with uncovered costs.
Vacation rental insurance is specifically designed for the realities of running a rental property. Understanding the difference can help protect your investment and keep your business running smoothly.
The Reality: Weather Events Are a Growing Threat
Extreme weather is becoming more frequent and severe.
For vacation rental owners, that means:
- Increased risk of structural damage
- More last-minute cancellations
- Higher repair and replacement costs
- Greater operational downtime between bookings
In this environment, having the right coverage is not just helpful; it’s essential.
Coverage Gaps in Platform Protection
Platform protection programs, like AirCover, can be useful, but their scope is limited. In most cases, they’re designed to protect the platform, not the property owner.
Common limitations include:
- Coverage for guest-caused damage only, not weather or other natural events
- Low coverage caps that may not match real repair costs
- Exclusions for roofs, siding, windows, and outdoor structures
- No coverage for lost income after a storm
- Reimbursement, not replacement, leaving you to front costs
- Lengthy claims processes tied to platform rules
Platform protection is a convenience, not a comprehensive solution.
What Vacation Rental Insurance Covers
Vacation rental insurance is built for real-world property risks, including weather events.
Policies typically cover:
- Weather- and storm-related property damage
- Damage to structures and contents, including high-value items
- Damage to outdoor amenities like decks, pools, and docks
- Liability protection for weather-related guest injuries
Protect Your Property With CBIZ Vacation Rental Insurance
While platform protection has its place, it’s not designed to safeguard your rental from the growing risks of severe weather. Vacation rental insurance gives you confidence that you’re covered, no matter what the forecast brings.
Connect with CBIZ to evaluate your current risks and build a coverage plan that protects your rental business — and your income.
This blog may contain scenarios that are provided as examples only. Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy issued. The information provided is general in nature and may be affected by changes in law or the interpretation of such laws. The reader is advised to contact a professional prior to taking any action based upon this information.