Over the past few years, the way people travel has changed. While many people used to book hotel rooms for their vacation, the concept of peer-to-peer rentals has become increasingly popular. The most popular home rental company is Airbnb. There are millions of people who use Airbnb to book homes or apartments for their trips. In doing so, they expect that they will be provided with a safe environment for their stay. However, accidents can happen on Airbnb properties just as they can on any property.
Accidents that occur while staying in an Airbnb can be severe. Sometimes, they may cause serious injuries that can impact a person’s life and future. When dealing with these situations, it can be difficult to determine liability as the peer-to-peer rental system is fairly new. It is because of this that it is important to enlist the help of an experienced attorney to assist the case.
Types of Airbnb Accidents
People rent Airbnb homes and apartments with the expectation that it is safe. This requires the property owners to maintain its conditions so that it is not dangerous for people who come to stay there. If they fail to do so and hazardous conditions are present, it can result in severe accidents that cause injuries. This may be the case if there are unsafe stairways, deck collapses, and more. These are premises liability accidents. When dealing with these cases, the property owner is usually liable for the accident.
Host Protection Insurance
It is possible for an accident to happen to anyone. It is because of this that Airbnb offers Host Protection Insurance. This is primary coverage for Airbnb hosts and landlords that are named in the lawsuit. The insurance provides coverage up to $1 million for liability claims brought against third parties for bodily injuries. If a stay goes not as planned and a guest becomes injured on the property, the host has access to this insurance so that they do not have to pay out of pocket.
It is important for hosts to understand what Host Protection Insurance covers as well as what it does not. The insurance program is limited when it comes to liability. This coverage may not be provided in the event of the following situations:
- Injuries from something that is done intentionally and is not an accident
- Loss of earnings
- Communicable diseases
- Contractual liability
- Injuries that were caused by the intoxication of a guest
If a guest wishes to file a claim regarding an injury that occurred on an Airbnb property, the company can connect them to a third-party claims administrator.
Receiving Compensation
Guests who are injured on an Airbnb property will first be provided with the money from the Host Protection Insurance. This $1 million applies to the damages that are incurred due to the accident. However, there are some cases in which this insurance money may not cover the entirety of the additional costs. This can be seen if the individual required hospitalization or surgery. In these situations, the injured party may be able to receive additional compensation. Generally, most property owners carry homeowners’ insurance that provides coverage for third-party injuries. However, some insurance policies do not cover homeowners that use their property for profit. These situations can often become difficult. This is why it is important to retain the services of an experienced attorney to navigate the case.
Contact our Firm
Friedman Schuman is an experienced and dedicated legal resource for clients throughout Pennsylvania. We proudly serve clients facing a wide range of legal matters. If you require the services of an effective attorney, please contact Friedman Schuman today to schedule a consultation.
