How to request reimbursement for damage on Airbnb through AirCover
Found damaged furniture, a broken appliance or a missing item after checkout? See how the Airbnb reimbursement request works, what information to gather, and why documenting the property before and after each stay can make the difference.
How does a damage reimbursement request work?
When a guest causes damage during a stay, the process usually starts with a reimbursement request to the guest through Airbnb's Resolution Center.
In short:
Approval is not automatic. The case and the documentation submitted are reviewed against the applicable Host Damage Protection terms.
1. Identify and document the damage
As soon as you notice a problem after checkout, record what you found.
Depending on the situation, that can include:
The shorter the gap between checkout and identifying the problem, the easier it tends to be to establish the context of that stay.
2. Check how the item looked before the stay
A photo of the damage shows how the item looks now.
But there is another piece of information that can matter: How did it look before the guest arrived?
If you run inspections between stays, look up the earlier records available.
That kind of history helps establish when a change was identified.
3. Work out the amount you are requesting
Decide what amount you intend to request from the guest.
Depending on the damage, that can involve:
Avoid naming a figure you cannot explain how you arrived at.
4. File the request through the Resolution Center
With the information organized, send the request to the responsible guest using Airbnb's Resolution Center.
Explain it plainly:
5. Watch the deadline
Do not leave the documentation for weeks later.
The Host Damage Protection rules set deadlines for reporting the problem, seeking a resolution with the guest, and completing the steps needed to involve Airbnb.
So inspect the property as close to checkout as you can, and start the process as soon as you spot a problem.
Under Airbnb's current terms (updated August 1, 2026), the host must seek a resolution and notify the guest and Airbnb within 14 days of the responsible guest's checkout. The detailed terms also require submitting the Host Damage Protection form and verifiable evidence within 30 days of checkout.
6. Wait for the guest's response
Once the request is sent through the Resolution Center, the guest has a chance to respond (Airbnb allows 24 hours).
They can:
7. Ask Airbnb to review it when needed
If the guest does not pay the amount requested, you can request reimbursement through Host Damage Protection when the case is eligible.
At that point, Airbnb may review the information submitted.
So keep organized:
- • photos and videos of the damage;
- • a detailed description of the damage;
- • item details (brand, model, condition);
- • any earlier records of the property;
- • receipts and proof of purchase;
- • repair or replacement quotes;
- • the amount requested and how you justified it;
- • booking and stay details.
What evidence should I submit to request reimbursement?
There is no single piece of evidence that guarantees a request will be approved.
Depending on the case, different records help document the existence, extent and value of the damage.
What if I do not have a receipt?
Not every host has the receipt for every piece of furniture or appliance in the property.
That is especially common with items bought years ago.
If that is your case, gather the documents and information you do have about the item.
Depending on the situation, other information can help establish its existence, specifications, condition and value.
Which documents are actually needed, and the decision on the request, are determined by Airbnb.
What if the guest says the damage was already there?
This happens.
And a photo taken only after checkout does not, on its own, show when the change occurred.
That is why earlier records can matter.
The more consistent the documentation across stays, the easier it is to look up the history when accounts differ.
What if an item has gone missing?
Host Damage Protection also covers certain eligible cases involving missing items.
The challenge is showing that the item really was part of the property.
This is where an inventory can be especially useful.
Instead of relying on memory, you keep a record of:
Why waiting for damage to happen can be a problem
Imagine you find a broken chair today.
You can photograph the broken chair today.
But you cannot go back in time to photograph it before the stay.
That is why documenting in advance matters.
How does Listio help organize this evidence?
Listio does not file or approve AirCover reimbursements.
It works upstream of that.
The platform helps hosts and property managers keep records of the property across stays.
With Listio you can organize:
So if a problem happens, you do not have to reconstruct the whole history from scratch.
Do not wait until you need a reimbursement to start documenting
The best moment to record how your property looks is before the next stay.
Build your inventory, run recurring inspections and keep a history between guests.
If something goes wrong later, you will have earlier records to consult.
Keep learning about AirCover
Frequently asked questions about filing an AirCover request
How the process works in Airbnb's Resolution Center.
How do you start a damage reimbursement request on Airbnb?
The request starts in Airbnb's Resolution Center, where you select the booking and send the guest a request detailing the damage, the amount and the evidence (photos and quotes).
What is the deadline to request reimbursement for damage on Airbnb?
Under the terms in force as of August 1, 2026, notification and seeking a resolution with the guest must happen within 14 days of checkout. The Host Damage Protection form and evidence must be submitted within 30 days of checkout.
How long does the guest have to respond to a reimbursement request?
After you send it through the Resolution Center, the guest has 24 hours to respond. If they decline, pay in part or do not respond, the host can ask Airbnb to step in and review.
Does Listio file the Airbnb reimbursement request for me?
No. Listio is an independent tool that helps hosts document and organize inspections, photos and the property inventory before and after stays. Filing the request and the reimbursement decision remain with the host and Airbnb.
Organize your property's history at every stay
Build your inventory, run check-in and checkout inspections, and keep your evidence organized with Listio.