The essentials
- Do your research — Introducing pets to your rental will require specific insurance to ensure coverage, so make sure you know which is best for you.
- Look into liability — While we recommend limiting your liability as much as possible, ensuring your insurance fully covers you is essential.
- Have a solid pet policy — Beyond insurance, you want to be sure that renters know what is and isn’t allowed on your property to hopefully curb any issues warranting an insurance claim.
Any property you own should be insured, especially when welcoming renters and their pets. From minor incidents to big emergencies, you want to be prepared as best you can for any situation life as a rental owner can throw your way. Good pet coverage is important, especially as pet-friendly accommodations are in greater demand than ever.
Things to keep in mind with pet policies and vacation rentals
Homeowners insurance doesn’t always cover some of the situations you may face as a short-term rental owner. Before diving into supplemental insurance, first understand what your homeowner’s insurance does cover. That will make it easier for you to determine which vacation rental insurance provider and plan you want to invest in. Something to keep in mind is that a full-time rental—as opposed to renting occasionally—will likely be considered a commercial endeavor by your homeowner’s insurance. Thus, additional vacation rental insurance is needed.
There are some common features to look out for when reviewing rental insurance, such as:
1. Guest liability insurance
Short-term rental policies include guest liability, which means you’re covered if a guest is injured during their stay on your property. A bonus is that this also covers you if you get sued should a guest damage someone else’s property.
2. Theft and burglary
Most short-term rental insurance policies will cover events of theft and burglary (usually under the property coverage portion). With this coverage, you’ll be reimbursed if there’s a break-in or a renter steals something during or after their stay.
3. Property insurance
This bit of coverage is if your property—both home and personal items—gets damaged. This type of coverage will likely be most used in a pet-friendly home should a pet tear up a couch, put a hole in the wall, etc.
Other considerations, like loss of income, wear and tear, and intentional damage, may not be covered. Be aware that this type of policy doesn’t cover things like flood and earthquake insurance, so you’ll need supplemental insurance if your homeowner’s insurance doesn’t provide coverage. With that information in hand, we rounded up five of the most popular insurance companies and what their pet policies look like.
Allstate
Image provided courtesy of Allstate
HostAdvantage is a special offering from Allstate that is specific to home-sharing. This covers just about everything from theft to damage. They also have a sophisticated mobile and online experience to speed up the process of filing a claim or getting your questions answered. With Allstate’s landlord policies, you can get coverage for fair rental income, vandalism, and liability. Plus, added coverage can include medical protection should someone be injured on the property.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Easy to file claims and get in touch | ✗ Tends to have higher rates |
| ✓ Can bundle your policy with other discounts | ✗ Customer satisfaction ratings are mediocre |
| ✓ Has a large network of agents, so getting questions answered is a breeze | |
| ✓ Offers a discount for your first four cleanings with Merry Maids |
Proper
Image provided courtesy of Proper Insurance
Proper Insurance operates solely for the benefit of Airbnb and Vrbo owners by replacing an owner’s current homeowner’s insurance entirely. This model means everything you need is covered, from commercial business liability to revenue protection. The great thing about Proper is that they don’t have a limitation or exclusion should you get sued because of an animal (pet or wild) harming a guest or neighbor.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Offers protection for any lost rental income | ✗ Higher prices if the owner lives on the property |
| ✓ Endorsed by Vrbo | ✗ Bundles liability insurance and commercial insurance |
| ✓ Insurance designed to cover peer-to-peer and vacation rentals | |
| ✓ Covers damage and injury caused by animals (domesticated or wild) |
CBIZ
Image courtesy of CBIZ Vacation Rental Insurance
As one of the most popular rental insurance brands out there, CBIZ has plenty of options when it comes to insuring your rental property. One such option includes income coverage, which protects you in the event that you’re unable to collect income from renters while making repairs due to a guest or weather issue.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Available in every state | ✗ Can be limited in their coverage options |
| ✓ Positive customer satisfaction reviews | ✗ In the event of guest injury, they’ll only cover up to $5,000 |
| ✓ Largest insurer of vacation rental properties in the U.S. |
American Modern
Image courtesy of American Modern
American Modern boasts a comprehensive insurance plan for those who rent out their properties for periods of less than three months. Beyond that, your property will be considered a long-term rental, which abides by different rules. With this insurance, you’re covered for replacement costs for the building and any other structures on the property, and you can customize your plan to include things like burglary and theft.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Offers bundling discounts | ✗ The lowest tenancy they cover is 1 week |
| ✓ Provides rental insurance even if you don’t have primary homeowner’s insurance with them | ✗ Coverage for furnishings is additional |
| ✓ Covers older properties | ✗ Doesn’t have an online quote option |
| ✓ Can design your policy on an as-needed basis |
American Family
Image courtesy of American Family Insurance
With American Family, you can “pay for what you use” with their rental insurance. If you rent out your property for less than 62 days a year, you can add temporary rental coverage and a landlord’s endorsement to your existing policy without creating a new one.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Offers discounts for safety features and certain smart home devices | ✗ Can be more costly if you rent out on a regular basis |
| ✓ Easy-to-use online quoting tool | ✗ Not available in all 50 states |
| ✓ Includes coverage for identity theft coverage, siding damage |
Choosing to switch insurance companies—or choosing one for the first time—will depend on many factors. We suggest thoroughly researching all of your options and having conversations with insurance agents to get appropriate quotes so you can fully understand your options.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of insurance do I need for a vacation rental?
It’s essential to have property insurance to cover damage to the property, liability insurance for guest injuries, and loss of income insurance if the rental becomes uninhabitable. Short-term rental insurance, which offers tailored coverage for vacation rentals often covers all of these. Consult with an insurance agent to help you find the best options for your needs.
What does pet damage insurance cover?
Pet damage insurance typically covers repair costs for property damage caused by pets, such as scratched floors or torn carpets, as well as cleaning expenses for deep cleaning or odor removal from pet accidents. It may also include replacement costs for damaged items, but coverage can vary by insurer, so review the policy details to be sure.
Can a host be held responsible if a guest’s dog bites someone?
Yes, a host can be held responsible if a guest’s dog bites someone, as hosts may be liable under premises liability laws. This means that if the host knew or should have known the dog posed a danger, they could be held accountable for injuries. It’s crucial for hosts to ensure adequate liability insurance is in place to cover these incidents.
What is animal liability for landlords?
This means that owners can be held responsible for injuries or damages caused by pets on their properties, including injuries to tenants and guests. If landlords allow pets (even with restrictions), they should have liability insurance to protect against claims.
