If you’ve ever dealt with guest-caused damage at your vacation rental, you know how stressful it can be—especially when it impacts the next guest’s stay or costs hundreds of dollars in repairs.
At myBeach Vacation Rentals, we’ve seen just about everything, from broken furniture to stained sheets to mysteriously vanishing remotes. That’s why one of the tools we always lean on—especially for properties we manage through Airbnb—is AirCover.
But how well does Airbnb’s host protection program really work? And what should you expect if you ever have to file a claim?
Let’s walk you through it.
What AirBnB Aircover Does and Doesn’t Cover
AirCover is Airbnb’s free damage protection program for hosts. It’s designed to reimburse you for guest-caused damage to your property. Sounds great, right? It is—but with a few important caveats:
Usually Covered
- Broken furniture
- Electronics or appliances damaged during a stay
- Major stains or structural damage (if caused by guests)
Not Covered
- Linens, towels, and other soft goods (even if stained or ruined)
- Wear and tear or anything not clearly caused by a specific guest
- Outdoor damage from weather or negligence not directly tied to a stay
I say “Usually” because there’s a lot of grey area with these claims. So while AirCover can be incredibly helpful, the key is documentation.
How to File an Airbnb AirCover Claim (The Right Way)
Here’s the basic process we follow when filing a reimbursement claim—and the one we recommend for any North Myrtle Beach Airbnb management client or self-managing host:
1. Document Everything Thoroughly
- Take clear, timestamped before-and-after photos, or videos. The more detailed, the better. We recommend photos during every turnover.
- We have our cleaners take time stamped photos using a great inspection software. We also have inspectors take photos when they go after the cleaners to reduce our chances of having something missed.
2. Prove Guest Responsibility
- You need to clearly show that the damage happened during that guest’s stay and wasn’t present before they checked in.
3. Act Quickly
- Claims must be submitted within 14 days of checkout—or before your next guest checks in. The sooner you act, the better.
4. Prepare for Follow-Ups
- Expect Airbnb to ask for receipts, repair estimates, and more—especially for claims over $50. You may have to respond to multiple support emails with additional info.
You can start the claims process here. AirBnB keeps it very simple in regards to filing the claim.
Pro Tips from the Field
After managing hundreds of Airbnb bookings, we’ve learned a few best practices that make the claims process smoother:
- Don’t file small claims through AirCover. If it’s a $20 item like a remote, the request goes to the guest first—which can hurt your reviews. We take it as the cost of doing business.
- Ask guests to report broken items right away. It gives you a clearer timeline and protects you if damage is discovered after check-out. It’s very difficult to catch every item during your clean or inspection, so this is a great way to utilize the guest in identifying issues that need to be addressed.
- Know the $50 Rule. Claims under $50 often go through quickly. Above that, Airbnb gets pickier and requires more documentation.
Conclusion: AirCover Is a Tool—Not a Guarantee
AirCover is a valuable resource when things go wrong—but it’s not foolproof. That’s why our team at myBeach Vacation Rentals has developed a reliable internal process for inspections, documentation, and claim submission.
By staying organized and acting fast, we help our homeowner clients recover their costs and keep their properties in top shape—all without the stress of going it alone.
If you’re looking to protect your vacation rental in Myrtle Beach and want peace of mind that your property is being handled professionally, we’d love to talk.You can schedule a call with us here.
