# Does AirCover or Vrbo cover damage from direct bookings?

> AirCover covers Airbnb stays and Vrbo's $1M liability covers Vrbo checkout stays. A direct booking gets neither. Deadlines and gaps, with a worked example.

Page: https://strhosttools.com/guides/aircover-vrbo-direct-booking-damage-coverage
Tool: https://strhosttools.com/tools/airbnb-damage-claim-deadline-calculator
Question: Does Airbnb AirCover or Vrbo cover damage from direct bookings or other channels?

No. Airbnb's damage protection covers damage during an Airbnb stay, and Vrbo's $1M liability insurance covers stays processed through Vrbo checkout. A guest who books and pays you directly is outside both, so your own deposit and your own insurance are what's left.

## Airbnb: AirCover for Hosts

AirCover for Hosts includes $3M host damage protection and $1M host liability insurance.

**Host damage protection** reimburses you up to $3 million if a guest damages your place or belongings during an Airbnb stay and the guest doesn't pay. It also covers some extra cleaning, like stains, pet accidents, and smoke odor.

- File a reimbursement request in the Resolution Center within 14 days of the guest's checkout.
- The guest has 24 hours to respond. If they don't respond, pay only part, or decline, you can submit a reimbursement request under host damage protection.
- Not covered: normal wear and tear, loss of currency, acts of nature like earthquakes and hurricanes, and normal checkout cleaning like laundry, dishes, or trash.
- Airbnb says host damage protection is not insurance, and suggests you also buy your own insurance for damage it doesn't cover.

**Host liability insurance** covers you if you're found legally responsible for a guest being hurt, or their property being damaged or stolen, during an Airbnb stay.

## Vrbo: liability, plus a damage plan or deposit

**$1M liability insurance.** Vrbo covers stays processed online through Vrbo checkout, at no extra cost to you. It covers claims made against you, like a traveler injury claim, or a leak that damages a traveler's luggage. If you don't have your own liability policy for the rental, a 25% deductible applies. Vrbo says incidents at a property booked and paid for outside Vrbo checkout are not covered. This program is liability only. It does not pay to fix your own property. Vrbo also requires hosts to carry sufficient insurance.

**Damage to your property.** Guests choose between Property Damage Protection (PDP) and a damage security deposit. You pick the PDP level in your damage protection settings:

- Guest pays $59 for $1,500 of coverage
- Guest pays $89 for $3,000 of coverage
- Guest pays $119 for $5,000 of coverage

If the guest picked PDP, you file a claim under the plan listed in the reservation. If they picked a deposit, you can deduct reasonable repair costs if you document and report the damage within 14 days of checkout.

## Direct bookings

Neither program applies to a stay booked and paid directly with you. Any deposit you collect and your own insurance policy are your protection. Whether your policy covers short-term guests is a question for your insurer, in writing.

## Worked example

A made-up host has three checkouts in one month, each with a $600 broken TV.

1. **Airbnb stay, checkout Nov 8.** File in the Resolution Center by Nov 22, which is 14 days after checkout. If the guest doesn't pay within 24 hours, submit a reimbursement request under host damage protection.
2. **Vrbo stay, checkout Nov 15.** The guest chose the $89 plan, which gives $3,000 of coverage. File under the PDP plan in the reservation. If they had chosen a deposit, the report deadline would be Nov 29.
3. **Direct booking, checkout Nov 20.** No Airbnb or Vrbo protection. The host's own deposit or insurance is the only path.

Now say a hurricane damages the house during the Airbnb stay. Host damage protection excludes acts of nature, so that also falls to the host's own insurance.

## Steps

1. List every channel you take bookings from: Airbnb, Vrbo, direct, and any others.
2. For each, write down the damage cover, the liability cover, and the claim deadline.
3. On Vrbo, check your PDP level in your damage protection settings.
4. Email your insurer and ask whether Vrbo and direct stays are covered, for both damage and liability.
5. For direct stays, collect a damage deposit or other protection before arrival.
6. Use the [Airbnb damage claim deadline calculator](https://strhosttools.com/tools/airbnb-damage-claim-deadline-calculator) to get the 14-day date for each Airbnb checkout.

For more on Airbnb's timing rules, see our guide to [Airbnb damage claim deadlines](https://strhosttools.com/guides/airbnb-damage-claim-deadlines).

## Sources

- [Airbnb Help: Host damage protection (article 279)](https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/279)
- [Airbnb Help: AirCover for hosts (article 3733)](https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/3733)
- [Vrbo: $1M Liability Insurance program](https://www.vrbo.com/tlp/liability-insurance)
- [Vrbo Help: About damage protection for your property](https://help.vrbo.com/articles/How-do-I-protect-my-property-from-potential-damage)

Last checked Nov 2, 2026. This is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Check your own platform terms and dashboard.