Airbnb’s AirCover for Hosts provides a level of damage protection, but many Toronto hosts misunderstand exactly what it covers — and what still requires separate action or additional coverage to fully protect a property.
What AirCover Typically Covers
Airbnb’s host protection generally covers guest-caused damage to the property and belongings, up to a specified coverage limit, along with liability protection for certain guest injury claims during a stay.
What It Doesn’t Always Cover Well
- Normal wear and tear disputes, which can be subjective and require documentation to resolve in the host’s favour
- Damage that isn’t reported within Airbnb’s required timeframe after a guest’s stay
- High-value items without proper documentation of their value beforehand
- Extended loss of income while a damaged property is being repaired, in some cases
Documentation Is Your Best Protection
Photos of the property’s condition before every guest’s stay — not just occasionally — give you the evidence needed to support a damage claim quickly and clearly, rather than relying on memory or a guest’s own account of what happened.
Filing a Damage Claim Effectively
- Report the issue through Airbnb’s Resolution Center as soon as it’s discovered, within the platform’s required timeframe
- Include clear before-and-after photos, receipts for repair or replacement, and a clear description of what happened
- Follow up promptly if the claim isn’t resolved within Airbnb’s typical response window
Additional Protection Worth Considering
Some Toronto hosts add separate short-term rental insurance on top of AirCover, since standard homeowner or landlord insurance policies often exclude short-term rental use entirely, leaving a gap AirCover alone may not fully close.
Building This Into Your Routine
Consistent pre- and post-stay photo documentation, done the same way for every single booking, is what actually makes a damage claim go smoothly — inconsistent documentation is the most common reason claims get delayed or denied.
My Canada Cleaning’s Airbnb management includes systematic pre- and post-stay photo documentation for Toronto and GTA hosts, building a clear record to support any damage claim.