Host Hacks

I am an Airbnb SuperHost and a well-known member of the Melbourne hosting community.

I have chalked up a wide range of experiences through being both an in-home host and having investment properties that I let out on the short stay market. As a Broker, this is my point of difference: I have personal experience of the issues faced by Hosts, and have made it my mission to research and identify solutions.

Up until now, insurance solutions for Short Stay hosting have been few, and the ignorance and misinformation surrounding insurance makes it the number one topic of discussion on hosting forums all over the world.

There are lots of different hosting scenarios, and each has their own insurance requirements. Yes, it's complicated! Here is my summary of the most common Short Stay hosting scenarios, and some suggested solutions offered by Ceneta. Please note that you may find insurance products provided by other insurers for some of these, and their features and benefits will vary. It depends what is important for you. Top of the list for all is Public Liability cover: don't host without it!

Tip: You are much better off going to a Broker than straight to the insurer. Brokers can offer a range of solutions from a variety of insurers. If you go directly to an insurer, they will only sell you their own products. When you ring insurers directly, you are speaking with someone in a call centre who is probably not a broker. Just bear that in mind. Using a Broker does not cost you any extra.

In-Home Hosting

You live in a home and let out your spare room(s).

Many home-owners believe that their existing Home & Contents insurance will cover them, but this is very unlikely as most insurers will deem you to be running a business, and therefore won't cover the business-related risk (the guest risk). Some insurers will also decline your existing insurance, so tread carefully.

Ceneta's Host Rite Insurance is a top-up policy that sits alongside your existing H&C policy. It covers you for the guest-related risk, with $20m Public Liability and up to $30k damage cover.

Short Stay Apartment Hosting - now approved for sub-letting!

You own or lease an apartment or unit and let the whole property to short-stay guests.

Ceneta has a number of well-priced solutions available for this scenario. All offer $20m Public Liability & damage cover, loss of rent and other benefits.

Our most popular policy is the Ceneta HostRite Short Stay Unit policy.

Underwritten by Lloyds of London, this is a fixed cover annual contents only policy that offers great protection for all the most common hosting risks.

Conditions:

Must not be your primary residence
Must have deadlocks or secure building access
Must have keyed window locks on any accessible windows

See download documents for details. If this cover doesn't suit, please contact us for other options.

Short Stay Holiday Home Hosting

You own a house or holiday home and let the whole property to short-stay guests.

Ceneta has a number of well-priced solutions available for this scenario. All offer $20m Public Liability & damage cover, loss of rent and other benefits. contact us

Periodic Hosting

You only let your home out to guests when you are away. You do not live in the property with the guests.

Veronica is an authorised representative of Ceneta Insurance Services, the brokerage offering these products. As a member of the Melbourne's Finest Hosts community, she regularly attends Melbourne meet-ups and you can email Veronica with any queries. This page is for general information only and should not be taken as personalised insurance advice. Please contact us to discuss your specific insurance needs.