Frequently Asked Questions

No — and Airbnb says so directly in their own documentation: "Host damage protection isn't an insurance policy." AirCover only applies to Airbnb bookings, doesn't cover the structure of your home, and excludes significant liability scenarios like assault and battery. It's better than nothing, but it was designed to protect Airbnb's platform, not your business.

If you rent your property for more than 14 days per year, your standard homeowners policy almost certainly doesn't cover rental activity — and many policies will deny unrelated claims if they discover you've been renting without disclosure. Even occasional hosts face the same liability risks as full-time operators. The difference is frequency, not the nature of the risk.

VIFO covers your property across all booking platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, direct bookings), the structure of the building itself, earthquake damage, service line coverage, equipment breakdown, bed bug infestation (with no deductible), loss of rental income from any covered loss, and property manager commission protection. See our full AirCover vs. VIFO comparison for the complete breakdown.

Landlord insurance is designed for long-term tenants — 6-month or year-long leases. It typically excludes short-term rental activity and doesn't cover the specific risks that come with high-turnover hosting: equipment breakdown from heavy use, bed bug liability, loss of income from a single bad stay, or property manager commission. VIFO is built specifically for the STR business model.

Yes. Unlike AirCover, VIFO coverage applies regardless of which platform the booking came from — Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, your own website, or any other channel. If you operate across multiple platforms, this is one of the most important differences.

Equipment breakdown coverage protects you when appliances and mechanical systems fail unexpectedly — HVAC units, refrigerators, washers, dryers, water heaters, and similar items. STR properties see significantly more wear on appliances than owner-occupied homes, making this coverage especially valuable. A failed A/C in summer can cost thousands and force cancellations; equipment breakdown coverage means you're not paying for it out of pocket.

VIFO's bed bug coverage is unique in the industry. It covers the cost of professional extermination, lost rental income while the property is being treated, and liability if a guest claims they were bitten during their stay — all with no deductible. Bed bug claims are one of the most common and expensive STR disputes, and most standard policies exclude them entirely.

If you use a property manager and your STR becomes inoperable due to a covered loss, PMC coverage protects your property manager's commission income alongside your own. Most insurance policies only compensate the property owner — PMC coverage extends that protection to the management relationship, which matters if you've committed to ongoing management agreements.

The quote process takes about 5 minutes. Once you submit your information, a VIFO team member will reach out to confirm your coverage details and get your policy bound. In most cases you can be covered same day or next business day.

Call or text us directly at (760) 487-8268 or email info@vifo.co. Our team will walk you through the claims process and connect you with the right carrier representatives. We stay involved throughout to make sure your claim is handled promptly — you're not just handed a phone number and left on your own.

VIFO offers earthquake coverage as part of the program — a risk that most standard policies exclude and that AirCover doesn't cover at all. Wildfire, hurricane, and flood coverage availability depends on your property's location. When you get a quote, we'll walk through what's available for your specific property and area.

A standard homeowners policy and STR insurance serve different purposes. Your homeowners policy covers the property as your home. STR insurance covers the business activity — the liability from paying guests, the rental income, the equipment wear, and the platform-specific risks. Many STR owners carry both; some switch entirely to a commercial STR policy. We'll review your current coverage as part of the quote process and tell you exactly where the gaps are.

Yes. Properties with pools, hot tubs, and other amenities can be quoted and covered. These features do increase liability exposure, which is exactly why having a dedicated STR policy matters — AirCover's liability coverage has exclusions and limits that may not be adequate for properties with aquatic amenities.