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Airbnb insurance

Compare Airbnb and host insurance through our trusted partner Pikl

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  • Compare prices with top UK insurers.

  • Comprehensive insurance protection for hosts, including theft, malicious damage and £5 million public liability.

  • Cover for up to 365 days of hosting a year, with fewer restrictions than traditional home insurance.

What does a specialist Airbnb host insurance policy cover?

Fire, storm & flood damage Theft & malicious damage Property owner, personal & public liability Legal expenses
Replacement locks
Loss of income cover *
Escape of water & oil
Subsidence heave, and landslip
Personal belongings
Bicycle cover
Home emergency
Accidental damage

*Loss of income is covered 14 days after a covered claim and applies to claims made against host policies only.


Why do you need Airbnb insurance?

  • Protect your income by covering damage, theft, and lost rental income after guest incidents
  • Limit liability if a guest is injured or claims property damage
  • Fill gaps left by the Airbnb Host Guarantee, which is not full insurance
  • Meet local regulations that require short-term rental insurance
  • Stay protected even between bookings
  • Reduce financial risk so you can operate with confidence

Bottom line: Airbnb insurance helps safeguard your property and income while reducing exposure to liability.

Does Airbnb provide its own insurance for hosts?

Airbnb provides a form of protection to all hosts on its platform called Aircover. However, it does not provide the same level of cover as a dedicated host insurance policy. 

What Airbnb covers What it does not cover
Host Damage Protection provides a resolution service that allows you to claim for a limited amount of property damage. If the issue cannot be resolved with the guest, Airbnb may decide to cover you.
Host Damage Protection is not insurance, meaning that it is not regulated by the FCA. An FCA-regulated policy allows you to complain to the Financial Ombudsman if an issue cannot be resolved. There are no guarantees where it relates to this cover.
Host liability insurance provides up to $1 million liability cover per listing for guest injuries or third-party damage claims made against you./div>
$1 million may not be enough for larger claims, and regions like Scotland may require more than this as part of applying for a mandatory licence to rent your home out.
AirCover applies to Airbnb listings only.
Listings on alternative platforms are not covered by Airbnb, unlike a separate host insurance policy.

What is host insurance?

Host insurance is similar to standard home insurance, covering buildings, contents, and optional add-ons. The key difference is that it also protects against guest damage and injuries, and some policies combine regular home insurance in one package.

Here's a comparison:

Home insurance  Host insurance 
Cover for standard claims such as fire, flood, burglary, and subsidence.
Cover for standard home insurance issues if needed as part of a combined policy. 
Theft, malicious or accidental damage by a guest may be restricted. 
Can cover theft, malicious or accidental damage by a guest. 
Liability for guest issues may not be covered, or the total cover may be limited.
Cover for guest liability up to £5 million per claim. 
May limit how much you can host
Up to 365 days of hosting cover a year.
Legal expenses may only cover non-commercial activities.
Cover for legal expenses relating to hosting activity, such as the cost of defending yourself against HMRC tax investigations. 
Loss of income is not covered.
Some loss of income from cancelled bookings or cancellation fees may be covered following a successful claim.

Does my standard home insurance policy cover me as an Airbnb host?

Most standard home insurance policies do not automatically cover hosting, and those that do often limit what you can claim and how often you can host. It’s best not to assume you’re covered - dedicated host insurance usually offers broader protection with fewer restrictions.

If you’re renting out a second home, check that your policy covers guests. Similar limitations can apply to landlord insurance, so review your coverage carefully before hosting.

How much does host insurance cost in the UK?

Insurance premiums can vary depending on factors such as:

Here's a comparison:

What affects your premium? Why does this affect your premium?
Location
The location of your property affects many issues, such as local weather events, flooding, and even access to emergency services.
Property construction
Non-standard building types, beyond brick or stone with a tiled/slate roof, may incur higher premiums.
Sharing type
The part of your home you rent, such as a room or outbuilding, can affect your insurance.
Number of bedrooms
Homes with more rooms may be at higher risk, as each room can potentially be damaged.
Property use
Properties rented to guests are generally higher risk, with frequency of rentals and guest numbers affecting premiums.
Building rebuild cost and contents sum insured
Higher rebuild or contents value, including high-value items, can increase your premiums.
Cover
Optional extras can increase cover but add cost, and adjusting your excess may lower premiums if you can afford it.

Is additional insurance for Airbnb hosts worth the extra cost?

Your insurance needs depend on how often you rent out your property and the level of risk you are comfortable with. Hosts who rent year-round may find limits on rental days restrictive, while exclusions for guest-related damage or theft can leave any host exposed.

Even a single incident could result in significant out-of-pocket costs, from replacing damaged items to fixing issues quickly to avoid disrupting future bookings. Many hosts choose dedicated host insurance to reduce this financial risk and avoid unexpected expenses.

While the decision is personal, hosting without appropriate cover can be costly over time, particularly for those listing on multiple platforms or relying on protection beyond what a booking platform provides.

Does my standard home insurance policy cover me as an Airbnb host?

No, home insurance doesn’t cover paying guests in your property.  Hosts that rent out their main home have 2 options when it comes to insurance:

  • Dedicated host insurance to cover them for paying guests
  • Or a specialist home insurance policy that provides both standard and guest-related home insurance cover

If you have a second home and your thinking of listing it on Airbnb, then you need a specialist policy. Your landlord insurance doesn't cover this.

If you don't have the right level of cover, you risk voiding your policy. This means your insurer might not pay out if there’s an accident or claim. 

Does my standard home insurance policy cover me as an Airbnb host?

No, home insurance doesn’t cover paying guests in your property.  Hosts that rent out their main home have 2 options when it comes to insurance:

  • Dedicated host insurance to cover them for paying guests
  • Or a specialist home insurance policy that provides both standard and guest-related home insurance cover

If you have a second home and your thinking of listing it on Airbnb, then you need a specialist policy. Your landlord insurance doesn't cover this.

If you don't have the right level of cover, you risk voiding your policy. This means your insurer might not pay out if there’s an accident or claim. 

What our home insurance expert says:

"AirCover might seem like all you need, but the cover isn't as comprehensive as some providers. And it might not be as straightforward if you need to claim. Our specialist partner Pikl’s cover can cover you and your property if things go wrong. 

Pikl compares insurance with specialist providers. Because you've got so much choice, you can find the right policy with different cover levels and prices. "

Matthew Harwood, Home & lifestyle insurance expert at Confused.com
Home & lifestyle insurance expert Confused.com logo

Who is our trusted host insurance partner, Pikl? 

We’ve partnered with Pikl, a specialist host insurance company, to cover customers who are using:

  • Airbnb
  • Booking.com
  • Another holiday home or hosting platforms
  • Hosts renting their property out to short-term guests

Pikl provides dedicated host insurance that can cover you for a range of issues. Here’s how they can help you:

  • Comprehensive host protection against guest claims
  • UK-based head office and customer support
  • Rated as ‘Excellent’ and 4.8/5 on Trustpilot
  • Specialise in holiday let and host insurance
  • Fully regulated by the FCA
  • They compare a panel of market-leading UK insurers to get you the best deal

Types of home insurance

Home insurance

Protects your home and its contents from those unexpected accidents.

Buildings insurance

Protects the permanent fixtures and structure of your home.

Tenants insurance

Covers your belongings against loss, damage and theft while in your rental property.

Over 60s home insurance

Can offer specialist insurers to suit your personal circumstances.

Flood insurance

Can offer some protection for your home and belongings if you live in a flood risk area.

Over 50s home insurance

Can provide peace of mind your home and belongings are protected against loss, damage and theft.

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Airbnb host insurance is administered by Pikl Insurance Services Limited who are a private limited company registered in England and Wales under company number 10449346. Registered office Suite B, 2nd Floor, The Atrium, St. Georges Street, Norwich, England, NR3 1AB. Pikl Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the FCA, firm number 773457.

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