How does AirCover for Hosts work?
AirCover for Hosts is the set of protections Airbnb offers people who host on the platform. One of them is Host Damage Protection, which can reimburse certain situations where a guest damages the property or the host's belongings.
Understand how it works, what may be covered, and the main steps once you find damage after a stay.
What is AirCover for Hosts?
AirCover for Hosts brings together several protections offered by Airbnb.
They include Host Damage Protection, host liability insurance, guest identity verification, reservation screening and a 24-hour safety line.
For damage to the property or the host's belongings, the relevant piece is Host Damage Protection.
It can reimburse up to $3 million USD for certain eligible losses when the responsible guest does not pay.
Host Damage Protection is not an insurance policy and is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions set by Airbnb.
How does AirCover work when a guest causes damage?
In simple terms, the process starts when the host identifies and documents the problem.
What is the deadline to file an AirCover request?
Deadlines deserve attention.
The current Host Damage Protection terms set specific steps after the responsible guest checks out.
Those include trying to resolve it with the guest and reporting the claim within the window Airbnb defines.
Because these rules can be updated, always check the current terms before starting a request.
What can Host Damage Protection cover?
According to Airbnb's own information, certain eligible cases can include damage caused by guests or their visitors to the property and to the host's belongings.
The protection may also extend, in certain circumstances, to:
- • damaged furniture and belongings;
- • missing items;
- • certain valuables;
- • certain pet-related damage;
- • extraordinary cleaning costs in specific situations;
- • certain vehicles stored or parked at the property;
- • lost income in certain situations resulting from guest-caused damage.
None of this means any damage is automatically covered. Eligibility depends on the terms and on the circumstances of each case.
What evidence can Airbnb ask for?
The Host Damage Protection terms allow Airbnb to request legitimate, verifiable evidence related to the existence, extent and value of the loss.
Depending on the case, that can involve:
That is why starting to document only after damage happens makes the history harder to reconstruct.
Why can photos from before the damage matter?
Imagine finding a damaged television after checkout.
You photograph the damage.
But a question comes up: How do you show what that television looked like before the stay?
That is where a recurring history of the property helps.
That sequence keeps more context about when a change was identified.
Does AirCover require an inspection before every guest?
An inspection run through a tool like Listio is not an automatic requirement for AirCover.
But keeping recurring records can help a host organize information about the property's condition before and after stays.
The distinction matters:
One does not replace the other.
What if the guest says the damage was already there?
This is one of the reasons to keep a history of the property.
A photo taken after checkout documents how the item was found.
An earlier history can add context about how it was recorded before that stay.
That is why hosts often adopt a simple routine:
Does AirCover guarantee the host will be reimbursed?
No.
Having photos, documents or inspection records does not guarantee a request will be approved.
The decision depends on the Host Damage Protection rules, on whether the case is eligible, and on the review of the information submitted.
The point of keeping records is to help you document what happened and organize the information you have, in case you need it.
How do you prepare before the next stay?
Do not wait until you find damage to start documenting your property.
Organize your property's records with Listio
Listio helps hosts keep inventories, inspections, photos and issues organized across stays.
So when something changes between a guest's arrival and departure, you have a history to look back on.
Listio is an independent tool with no affiliation, official integration or relationship with Airbnb or AirCover. Using Listio does not guarantee that any reimbursement request will be approved or paid.
Keep learning about AirCover
Frequently asked questions about how AirCover works
The main points of AirCover for Hosts.
What is AirCover for Hosts?
It is the protection program Airbnb offers hosts, including Host Damage Protection (up to $3 million USD for eligible losses), liability insurance and guest identity verification.
Does AirCover guarantee automatic reimbursement for any damage?
No. Host Damage Protection is not insurance and approval is not automatic. Each request is reviewed by Airbnb against the terms, conditions, limits and the evidence submitted.
What evidence is needed to request reimbursement through AirCover?
Airbnb may ask for photos and videos of the damage, purchase receipts, repair or replacement quotes, a detailed description of the item, and records that help show its value and earlier condition.
Is Listio connected to Airbnb or AirCover?
No. Listio is an independent tool for running inspections and tracking inventory. It helps hosts organize their own photos and reports so they have a documented history of the property.
Organize your property's history at every stay
Build your inventory, run check-in and checkout inspections, and keep your evidence organized with Listio.