Most Vancouver homeowners assume their existing home insurance covers short-term rental activity. It typically doesn't. Hosting paying guests on Airbnb without the right coverage creates a liability gap that could result in a denied claim — or worse, a cancelled policy. This guide explains what's covered, what isn't, and what you actually need.
Standard homeowner's and condo insurance policies in BC are written for owner-occupied or long-term tenanted properties. Most include explicit exclusions for short-term rental activity — meaning the moment you accept a paying guest, you may be uninsured.
Proper insurance protection for a Metro Vancouver STR typically requires three layers of coverage working together. Think of them as a stack — each one covers what the others don't.
AirCover is Airbnb's built-in host protection. It's valuable as a secondary layer — but it's frequently misunderstood. Here's an honest breakdown of what it covers and what its real-world limitations are.
Guest-caused damage to your property, up to USD $3M, including: structural damage, furniture and fixtures, appliances, valuables (with limits), vehicles parked on-site, boats (if applicable), and pet damage. AirCover also covers deep cleaning costs if a guest leaves the property in a condition requiring professional cleaning beyond your standard turnover. Claims must be submitted through Airbnb's Resolution Center within 14 days of the guest checkout, and you must first attempt to collect from the guest directly before escalating to AirCover.
Cash, cryptocurrency, securities, and similar financial instruments. Collectibles, fine art, and antiques. Personal liability for events that occur outside of an active Airbnb booking (e.g., during an owner stay or between bookings). Wear and tear (normal use over time). Pre-existing damage. Damage reported more than 14 days after checkout. Loss of rental income (if your property is damaged and cannot be rented). Claims where the host cannot demonstrate the guest caused the damage. Critically: AirCover is not available for bookings made through Vrbo, direct bookings, or any platform other than Airbnb.
(1) Document the damage thoroughly with photos immediately after guest checkout. (2) Submit a claim through Airbnb's Resolution Center within 14 days of checkout. (3) Request reimbursement from the guest first through the Resolution Center — give the guest 24 hours to respond. (4) If the guest declines or doesn't respond, escalate to AirCover. (5) Airbnb's team reviews the claim and may request additional documentation, estimates, or repair receipts. Resolution typically takes 1–4 weeks. For significant damage, Airbnb may send an independent assessor. The process is more complex and less predictable than a standard insurance claim. For major damage, filing simultaneously with your own insurer (if your policy covers the incident) and pursuing AirCover is sometimes the more practical approach.
Given its limitations, the best way to think about AirCover is as a first-response mechanism for guest-caused damage claims — particularly for small to medium incidents ($200–$5,000) that are clearly documented and clearly attributable to the guest. For these incidents, AirCover is faster than an insurance claim and doesn't affect your insurance premium. For large incidents, catastrophic damage, or liability claims, your own insurance policy should be the primary vehicle and AirCover a secondary supplement. Never rely on AirCover alone as your primary protection strategy.
Certain property situations carry additional insurance complexity. If any of these apply to your property, discuss them explicitly with your broker.
When you contact your current insurer or a new broker, bring these specific questions. Generic "does this cover Airbnb?" inquiries often get generic answers. These questions will surface the specific gaps in your current coverage.
Don't accept "it depends" or "probably." Ask for written confirmation of whether your current policy covers commercial accommodation activity. Many insurers will provide this in writing if you ask directly. If they can't or won't confirm in writing, that's your answer.
Ask for the specific policy wording, not a sales summary. Key things to confirm: Is damage by guests covered? Is theft by guests covered? Is guest injury liability covered? Does it cover entire-unit rentals (not just home-sharing)? Is there a nightly income limit? Is there a minimum or maximum number of nights per year?
Some insurers view platform protection as a form of reimbursement that should be exhausted first before the insurer pays. Others treat them as independent. Knowing this in advance determines your claims strategy when an incident occurs.
This is critical for condo owners in Metro Vancouver. Strata deductibles for water damage events are commonly $25,000–$100,000+ in Vancouver high-rises. If a guest floods the unit below you and the strata pursues the deductible recovery against you, you need this covered. Confirm the limit and whether it applies during STR activity.
Most policies cover the property continuously, including between bookings and during owner stays. But some STR-specific products only provide enhanced coverage during active booking periods. Confirm that the property is fully covered at all times, not just when guests are present.
This guide is an educational overview and does not constitute professional insurance advice. Insurance coverage varies by product, insurer, and individual circumstances. Policy terms, exclusions, and availability change regularly. Consult a licensed insurance broker in British Columbia before making coverage decisions. SereneHost is a property management company and is not affiliated with any insurance provider. References to Airbnb AirCover and Vrbo Host Guarantee reflect general program features as of early 2026 and are subject to change — refer to the respective platform's current terms for accurate information.