What evidence should you submit to AirCover for damage?
Photos, videos, receipts, quotes and item details can all matter when requesting reimbursement for Airbnb damage. See what evidence may be requested and how to organize the documentation.
Photos and videos of the damage + item details (a full inventory with brand, model, age and condition) + proof of purchase + repair or replacement quotes + proof of ownership + history and context about when and how the change was identified.
What evidence can Airbnb ask for?
When reviewing a Host Damage Protection request, Airbnb may ask for legitimate, verifiable evidence that helps establish three main points:
1. Photos of the damage
Photos are one of the most important ways to document visually what you found.
When recording damage, aim for images that make clear:
The goal is documenting what was actually there, without altering or manipulating the images.
2. Videos
Depending on the type of problem, video can round out the photographs.
It is most useful when a still image cannot fully convey the situation.
Certain functional problems (a leak, a noisy air conditioner, a flickering TV) are hard to capture in a photograph alone.
Keep the original file whenever you can.
3. Records from before the damage
A photo taken after checkout shows how the item was found.
But another question can follow: How did it look before the guest arrived?
If you have legitimate earlier records, they can provide that added context.
A sequence of records builds a far clearer timeline than a single photo.
4. Details about the damaged item
When asking about a lost, destroyed or damaged item, the Host Damage Protection terms point to the importance of a full inventory of the affected belongings:
5. Receipts and proof of purchase
Receipts, invoices and other documents can help establish information about the item and the amount presented in the request.
When they are available, keep those documents organized.
Older items do not always have paperwork you can put your hands on.
If you do not have the receipt, that deserves its own look at which documents are still available and what Airbnb asks for in your case.
6. A repair quote
If the item can be fixed, a quote helps document what repairing the damage will cost.
Try to keep information that makes clear:
Depending on the nature of the damage, Airbnb may ask for additional documentation.
7. A replacement estimate
When the item cannot be repaired, you may be asked for information about the replacement cost.
That does not necessarily mean the amount considered will match the original purchase price or the current price of a new product.
The assessment of the loss follows the terms and criteria that apply to Host Damage Protection.
So document clearly what the item is, its age, condition, brand, model, and the information you used to support the amount presented.
8. Proof the item belongs to the property
Depending on the case, Airbnb may also ask for evidence of ownership or legal responsibility for the item.
That can involve different legitimate forms of documentation, such as receipts, photographs, videos, documents or appraisals.
A recurring photo inventory also helps you keep a history of the belongings at the property.
9. Information about when and how the damage happened
It is not only the object that may need documenting.
The Host Damage Protection terms also cover information about the timing, cause and origin of the loss.
So lay out a timeline of what happened:
The better organized the history, the easier it is to see what information about the case actually exists.
10. Conversations about what happened
If legitimate messages related to the damage exist, keep those conversations.
For example, there may be a message where the guest mentions that an item was damaged during the stay.
Do not alter, edit or create conversations to strengthen a request. Use only genuine records related to what happened.
Common questions about AirCover evidence
The Host Damage Protection terms describe situations where Airbnb may request a police report. That can happen, for example, in certain cases involving a violation of the law, criminal acts or theft. If that applies to your case, follow Airbnb's guidance and provide only truthful information.
What does "legitimate and verifiable evidence" mean?
Airbnb's current terms use the phrase legitimate and verifiable evidence.
In practice, that means the information and documents you submit must be truthful, accurate and possible to verify.
Do not alter documents or images to try to strengthen a request. Avoid false receipts, invented invoices, fake "before" photos or manipulated images.
If Airbnb cannot verify a piece of documentation, it may request more information or deny the request.
Evidence checklist to organize after damage
Before starting a request, check which of these records genuinely exist in your case:
- ☐ Close-up and wide photos
- ☐ Videos showing how it functions
- ☐ A precise description of what happened
- ☐ The date and time it was identified
- ☐ Name and description
- ☐ Brand and model
- ☐ Approximate purchase date
- ☐ Known prior condition
- ☐ Any earlier photos available
- ☐ Proof of purchase / invoice
- ☐ A formal repair quote
- ☐ A replacement quote
- ☐ The Airbnb booking code
- ☐ The move-in inspection report
- ☐ The move-out inspection report
- ☐ The Airbnb chat history
- ☐ Proof of ownership
The best evidence may need to exist before the damage
There is one limitation no reimbursement process can solve: you cannot go back in time to record how the property looked before the guest.
So the documentation can start before the next booking:
Organize that history with Listio
Listio helps hosts and property managers document their properties across stays. You can organize inventories, run inspections, record photos and keep a history of the checks.
So when something happens, you have earlier records to consult instead of hunting for evidence only after the damage.
Listio does not decide AirCover requests, and no record guarantees that Airbnb will approve one.
Keep learning about AirCover
Frequently asked questions about evidence for AirCover
The documentation requirements Airbnb accepts.
What evidence does Airbnb accept for AirCover reimbursement?
Airbnb asks for legitimate, verifiable evidence of the existence, extent and value of the damage. That includes photos and videos of the damage, an inventory of the item (brand/model/condition), purchase receipts, repair quotes and proof of ownership.
Do I need photos from before and after the stay?
The photo of the damage (after) shows what went wrong. Having photos taken before check-in helps show the item was in good condition immediately before that guest arrived.
What does legitimate and verifiable evidence mean in Airbnb's terms?
It means the information and documents must be truthful, accurate and checkable by Airbnb. Manipulated or false receipts and images can lead to immediate denial of the request.
Does Listio provide reports or automatic evidence for AirCover?
Listio is a tool for hosts to organize their own inspections and photo inventory. It produces structured reports with photos and dates that document the property's history.
Organize your property's history at every stay
Build your inventory, run check-in and checkout inspections, and keep your evidence organized with Listio.