The Best Short-Term Rental Insurance for Airbnb Hosts
Proper Insurance is honored to be ranked as the best insurance for short-term rental hosts—not by us, but by the publications and review sites that Airbnb hosts actually trust. Whether it’s Investopedia, Rental Recon, Bob Vila, or others, independent analysis consistently highlights Proper Insurance as the best insurance for Airbnb hosts. And in a market crowded with competitors like Steadily, Obie, CBIZ, Safely, and Allstate’s HostAdvantage add-on, that distinction has never meant more.
Since its founding over a decade ago, Proper Insurance has had one singular focus: providing the most comprehensive insurance policy for Airbnb and short-term rental hosts. Proper offers a purpose-built Commercial Homeowners policy, not a home-sharing endorsement or add-on, designed specifically for the risks STR hosts actually face.
If you are an Airbnb host looking to get your insurance questions answered, you made it to the right place. Read on to understand what separates Proper from the rest, or get an Airbnb insurance quote today.
- Best Airbnb Insurance: How Proper Insurance Got to #1 for Short-Term Rental Coverage
- Proper Insurance is the Gold Standard for Airbnb Insurance in 2026
- What Makes Proper the Best STR Insurance
- How Proper's Policy Compares to Homeowners and Landlord Insurance
- Proper Insurance is the Highest Reviewed Airbnb Insurance Provider
- Why Full-Time Airbnb Rentals Need More Than a Standard Policy
- Most Common Airbnb Insurance FAQs
Best Airbnb Insurance: How Proper Insurance Got to #1 for Short-Term Rental Coverage
Earning the top spot in any competitive industry requires doing a lot of things right simultaneously. With short-term rental (STR) insurance for Airbnb hosts, this means extensive coverage followed by a superior claims experience.
Most insurers start by deciding what they won’t cover. Proper started by asking what hosts actually need—and built from there.
We started with a Commercial insurance policy that has the horsepower to properly insure an Airbnb property. We had to rewrite the modern insurance norms of “excluding or limiting coverage” to “including or expanding coverage” and move away from providing “mediocre or poor claims service” to providing “exceptional claims service.” We layered in unique, first-of-their-kind property and liability endorsements. Then we backed it all with in-house claims administration—so we control your experience from start to finish, not a third-party adjuster.
Proper Insurance is the Gold Standard for Airbnb Insurance in 2026
Proper Insurance is the Gold Standard for Airbnb Insurance in 2026
Underwritten by Lloyd’s of London and Concert Specialty Insurance (both AM Best A-rated), available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and exclusively endorsed by Vrbo, Proper Insurance is the best short-term rental insurance. Don’t take our word for it—Investopedia, Rental Recon, AirDNA, and others have reviewed the market independently and arrived at the same conclusion.
Touch Stay Agrees: Voted Best Overall Coverage
TouchStay evaluated the leading short-term rental insurance providers and named Proper Insurance the best overall coverage for Airbnb hosts, citing Proper’s comprehensive property protection, broad liability coverage, and in-house claims experience.
Uplisting Named Proper the Best STR Insurance in 2026
Uplisting, a leading vacation rental management platform, ranked Proper Insurance the top short-term rental insurance provider of 2026, noting its Commercial policy structure as the key differentiator from standard Homeowners and Landlord policies.
AirDNA Voted Proper as the Best Airbnb Insurance
AirDNA, the industry’s foremost source for short-term rental data and analytics, voted Proper Insurance the best policy for Airbnb hosts based on coverage depth, claims handling, and protection for loss of rental income.
Investopedia Names Proper as the Top STR Insurance
A trusted consumer finance resource, Investopedia named Proper Insurance the top short-term rental insurance provider, recognizing the Commercial General Liability form and guest-damage coverage as the benchmark for the category.
What Makes Proper the Best STR Insurance
Proper’s Policy Features No Limit on Guest-Caused Damage
Arguably the most significant property insurance enhancement is that Proper has no limit on damage caused by a guest. What this means for an Airbnb host is that if a guest damages your building or contents, you are covered up to the limits of your policy. Plus, Proper offers no limit on theft coverage.
Proper’s Airbnb insurance policy is the only policy on the market with no limit on damage from an Airbnb guest. The confusion often comes from the term “vandalism.” Many agents mistake vandalism coverage for guest-caused damage coverage, but they are not the same thing. Vandalism covers the stranger who breaks your window or tags your garage. It does not cover damage caused by someone you entrusted your property to. That is a guest damage exposure, and only Proper covers it without a sub-limit.
Competitors offer solid policies, but none match this standard for guest-caused property damage This single feature is why more independent review sites list Proper as the best insurance for Airbnb hosts than any other provider.
Proper’s Policy Has Broader Liability Protection for STR Hosts
Having inadequate Airbnb liability insurance is your biggest exposure as a host. It only takes one significant guest injury at your property for you to be served with a lawsuit and thousands in future attorney fees. Because of this, Proper offers the broadest form of liability insurance an Airbnb host may purchase.
We start with $1,000,000 of Commercial General Liability (CGL) per occurrence and encourage hosts to upgrade to $2,000,000. We then remove the liquor liability exclusion, as all Airbnb hosts have exposure to alcohol-related claims from their guests, and finish by leaving in protection for animal pet liability (dog bites), bed bugs (infestation), communicable disease (hot tubs), and so much more.
Our CGL coverage even extends off the premises if a host offers amenities such as bicycles, golf carts, or kayaks. It’s never been more important to make certain you have the best insurance for Airbnb hosts, as many are unaware that their amenities are major liabilities.
Our Industry-Leading Endorsements Make Proper Insurance #1
Proper’s unique insurance coverage for Airbnb hosts is unmatched in the insurance industry.
A few industry firsts were bed bug and flea coverage, which includes extermination and lost business revenue, and squatter insurance protection, which reimburses legal expenses to remove the squatter, along with lost rental revenue during that time.
Other aspects of the Proper policy include unmatched coverage for backups of sewers and drains with no sub-limit, mechanical breakdowns, loss of revenue coverage, replacement cost valuation on building and contents, pet and animal liability protection, no limit on theft, and special form coverage.
The Proper Insurance policy includes dozens of additional bells and whistles, which all add up to make it the best insurance for Airbnb hosts.
Get Short-Term Rental Revenue Protection with Proper Insurance
Property damage is only half the risk for Airbnb hosts. The other half is what happens to your rental income while repairs are underway. For hosts who depend on their short-term rental revenue, a single covered loss during peak season can mean months of lost bookings with no way to recover them.
Standard homeowners and landlord policies do not include business interruption coverage for vacation rentals. If a fire, water damage, or guest-caused loss takes your property off the market, that income is not covered.
Proper’s loss of rental income coverage is built specifically for short-term rental hosts. It pays on actual loss sustained, meaning you are reimbursed for the revenue your property would have generated, not a flat daily rate. And unlike many competing policies that cap business interruption at 30 or 60 days, Proper carries no time limit on coverage payout.
For one Proper client, a single claim put months of short-term rental income on the line during their busiest season. Proper covered the repairs and the lost business revenue while the property was unavailable to guests.
How Proper’s Policy Compares to Homeowners and Landlord Insurance
| Coverage | Proper Insurance | Homeowners Insurance (HO) | HO + Home-Sharing Endorsement | Landlord Insurance (DP) |
PropertyProperty example: A natural disaster occurs like a tree falling on your home. |
Homeowners Insurance: Exclusion for business activity
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HO + Home-Sharing: If your Airbnb is not your primary home, your HO coverage with an endorsement is likely null and void.
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Damage, theft and vandalism by a guestDamage, theft and vandalism example: Guest throws a party and damages the contents of the home and structure |
Landlord Insurance: Covers theft and vandalism if NOT by your Airbnb guest (property entrustment). Limited contents coverage.
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Liability on premises Liability on premises example: Guest slips and falls exiting the shower at your rental. |
HO + Home-Sharing Endorsement: If your Airbnb is not your primary home where you live, your HO coverage, even with an endorsement, is likely null and void.
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Liability off premises Liability off premises example: Guest gets injured while off your property line (like at the beach of your waterfront rental or guest burns your neighbors house down/dog bite – someone gets hurt off property ties it back to you) |
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Replacement costs Replacement costs example: Roof damage from a covered cause of loss |
Proper Insurance: Pays pure replacement cost – the full amount needed to replace damaged item (new for old). No depreciation deducted.
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Homeowners Insurance: More often than not this would be responded to, however the business activity exclusion found in HO policies could result in no coverage.
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HO + Home-Sharing Endorsement: Typically, pays “actual cash value,” which includes depreciation. The insurer may pay you only $10,000. If this is not your primary home, you may receive $0.
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Landlord Insurance: Typically, pays “actual cash value,” which includes depreciation. The insurer may pay you only $10,000.
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Loss of income Loss of income example: A claim occurs at your property that takes your Airbnb out of business |
Proper Insurance: Provides a check for the actual revenue lost up to the limit of your choosing.
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HO + Home-Sharing Endorsement: Some endorsements may extend limited coverage to use “loss of use” as “loss of rents.” However, you may not have enough to cover additional living expenses and loss of income.
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Landlord Insurance: Provides a check for “loss of rents,” which is based on the average from your area, including long-term rentals.
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Liability for amenities Liability for amenities example: If a guest gets injured or worse from your provided bikes, kayaks, pool, hot tub, etc. |
Landlord Insurance: Only covers amenities that are confined to your property line.
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Vacancy Vacancy example: Damage occurs at the property during the shoulder season or period of vacancy |
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Invasion of privacy Invasion of privacy example: House cleaner accidentally walks in on a guest before they check out |
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Airbnb squatterAirbnb squatter example: A person rents your property for one week but overstays their checkout period by three months and is now protected by law as a tenant |
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Bed Bugs Bed Bugs example: Liability from bed bug bites and the cost to exterminate them |
Proper Insurance is the Highest Reviewed Airbnb Insurance Provider
In an industry where customer satisfaction is rare and positive reviews regarding customer experience during the claims process are often nonexistent, Proper Insurance stands out once again. Our reviews outline Proper’s proof of exceptional customer service and the breadth of our comprehensive policy. There is no better-reviewed insurance company than Proper.
Proper is Rated 5/5 stars on Google
Reviews and testimonials of Proper Insurance reflect the trust and confidence our clients have in us, further setting us apart from others in the industry. Stories from our clients are filled with a rare combination of praise for customer service, gratitude for our focus on insurance education, and experiences of support, especially during the challenging times of a claim.
After everything involved over the past six months, I want to sincerely thank Proper Insurance for their professionalism, responsiveness, and patience throughout my claim. Dealing with a fire loss is never easy, Matthew made the process clear, fair, and manageable from start to finish.
I consistently felt heard, supported, and well-informed, which meant a great deal during a very challenging time. Matthew’s follow-through and attention to detail were outstanding, and it was genuinely a pleasure working with them. I’m very grateful for the assistance I received and would not hesitate to recommend Proper Insurance to anyone needing reliable, professional coverage and claims support. They truly made a difficult situation much easier to navigate.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Scott C.
I recently had the pleasure of experiencing the outstanding service provided by Proper Insurance. I submitted a claim, and to my surprise, they processed it in less than one hour, showcasing an unparalleled level of efficiency. Matthew, the representative who assisted me, went above and beyond in addressing all my questions and concerns.
His extensive knowledge of the insurance process and his helpful demeanor made the entire experience seamless and stress-free. I was impressed by his professionalism and dedication to ensuring that I had a clear understanding of the process.
As a homeowner with vacation rentals, I highly recommend Proper Insurance to my fellow property owners. The prompt claim processing and the expertise demonstrated by Matthew reflect the company’s commitment to providing top-notch service. In an industry where reliability and efficiency are paramount, Proper Insurance stands out as a trusted partner for homeowners seeking peace of mind.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stayat KSHomes
Why Full-Time Airbnb Rentals Need More Than a Standard Policy
The hosts leaving five-star reviews above have one thing in common: they stopped relying on coverage that wasn’t built for them. Operating an Airbnb as a full-time rental significantly increases your exposure to liability, property damage, and income loss. Unlike occasional hosting, full-time short-term rentals are treated more like a business, which requires specialized insurance coverage designed for continuous guest occupancy. Still unsure? See why traditional policies don’t stack up:
| Coverage | Proper Insurance | Homeowners Insurance (HO) | HO + Home-Sharing Endorsement | Landlord Insurance (DP) |
| Made For | ✔ Short‑term rental use | X Owner-occupied personal residences | X Limited STR add-ons to existing policies | X Long-term tenants |
| STR Gaps | Built from the ground up to protect your revenue, property, and liability—addressing your risk as an Airbnb host | Short‑term rental use is excluded, leaving gaps in property, liability, and revenue coverage | Inadequate sub-limits, liability restrictions, and must be your primary residence | Big STR gaps with property, inadequate revenue protection, and liability limitations |
Most Common Airbnb Insurance FAQs
What is the best insurance for Airbnb hosts?
The best insurance for an Airbnb host is Proper Insurance: a Commercial policy that covers your building and contents, loss of business income, and Commercial General Liability—not a standard Homeowners policy or home-sharing endorsement. Independently ranked #1 by Investopedia, Rental Recon, AirDNA, and others, Proper is the only STR insurance built from the ground up for hosts. Unlike competitors, Proper offers no limit on guest-caused damage, in-house claims administration, insurance for loss of Airbnb business income, and industry-first coverages like Bed Bug & Flea Protection and Squatters Coverage. Learn more about what makes Proper the best Airbnb insurance provider.
Do Airbnb owners need special insurance?
Yes, running an Airbnb is considered a business activity, no different than a hotel, so adequate commercial business insurance is required for full coverage. Most standard policies include business activity exclusions that can void your coverage entirely once short-term renting begins. Airbnb hosts need a commercial insurance policy specifically designed for short-term rental properties—one that covers guest-caused damage, CGL, and lost business income. While Airbnb promotes built-in protections for hosts, those programs come with important limitations. Here’s a closer look at Airbnb Host Protection and where it may leave coverage gaps for short-term rental owners.
What insurance do I need for an Airbnb?
Short-term rental hosts should get a policy that replaces the current Homeowners or Landlord policy. The right STR insurance covers four things: your building and contents, Commercial General Liability, loss of business income, and guest-caused damage.
How much does Airbnb host liability insurance cost?
An Airbnb host should carry a minimum of $1,000,000 CGL or business liability policy, as the consequences of injury and illness are expensive. With $1M in Airbnb liability coverage, the average premium ranges from $700 to $1,500 per year.
The cost of Airbnb host insurance varies based on property type, location, size, coverage limits, and amenities. Because every short-term rental is different, Proper provides customized quotes rather than a one-size-fits-all premium. What hosts should focus on is carrying a minimum of $1,000,000 in Commercial General Liability coverage. Proper starts there and encourages hosts to upgrade to $2,000,000, because one significant guest injury claim can exceed a million dollars quickly. Get a personalized Airbnb insurance quote from Proper in minutes.
Airbnb host insurance for vacation rental owners isn’t your typical Homeowners or Landlord policy; it’s built for the risks you’re actually up against as an STR owner. As a host, you should always aim to protect your guests by offering them a safe place to stay, but while doing so, you also should protect yourself and your business because accidents can happen, even in a seemingly safe place.
Does my Homeowners insurance cover Airbnb?
If your Airbnb is not your primary home (the place you reside and live) then no, your Homeowners insurance does not cover your short-term rental, even with a home-sharing endorsement. You would need to purchase a policy for secondary or investment property and carry a landlord or business insurance policy.
Do I need different insurance for a full-time Airbnb rental?
Yes—if you rent your property on Airbnb full time, you need insurance specifically designed for continuous short-term rental use. Standard Homeowners and Landlord policies are not built for ongoing guest turnover and often exclude claims related to paying guests. Full-time Airbnb rental insurance should cover your property, liability, and loss of income, providing consistent protection regardless of occupancy or booking source—not just when platform programs apply.
