Correct Liability/Insurance for Airbnb/vrbo with a pool

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Correct Liability/Insurance for Airbnb/vrbo with a pool

Scott Goulet
Rental Property Investor · Port Saint Lucie, FL · Member since 2015 · 107 posts · 44 votes

Hi BP, 

I am under contract for an airbnb property that has a pool. 

Can anyone discus s the specific coverage for insurance or liability protection I should be looking at? 

Currently I have an umbrella policy, and i was going to get standard rental policy quotes for insurance, but is there something else I should be looking at? 

Also, what are the physical requirements I need to have in-place? the Child gate, alarms, etc

Thank you BP! 

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John UnderwoodPro Member
Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
2y
Quote from @Scott Goulet:

Hi BP, 

I am under contract for an airbnb property that has a pool. 

Can anyone discus s the specific coverage for insurance or liability protection I should be looking at? 

Currently I have an umbrella policy, and i was going to get standard rental policy quotes for insurance, but is there something else I should be looking at? 

Also, what are the physical requirements I need to have in-place? the Child gate, alarms, etc

Thank you BP! 


 check your local laws about gates and alarms. I would exceed the minimum requirements on this.

Get a standard STR policy and make sure the pool is specifically mentioned and covered in the policy.

Then you can look into an umbrella policy.

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  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Scott Goulet:

    Hi BP, 

    I am under contract for an airbnb property that has a pool. 

    Can anyone discus s the specific coverage for insurance or liability protection I should be looking at? 

    Currently I have an umbrella policy, and i was going to get standard rental policy quotes for insurance, but is there something else I should be looking at? 

    Also, what are the physical requirements I need to have in-place? the Child gate, alarms, etc

    Thank you BP! 


     check your local laws about gates and alarms. I would exceed the minimum requirements on this.

    Get a standard STR policy and make sure the pool is specifically mentioned and covered in the policy.

    Then you can look into an umbrella policy.

    4Reply
  • Denis PonderPro Member
    New to Real Estate · Yuma, AZ · Member since 2023 · 280 posts · 246 votes
    2y

    Your insurance company can help get you into the correct product if you explain what you are working on.  I don't believe a standard rental policy is adequate, but your provider can provide better info.

    I would suggest following the laws in your area and asking your insurance company what they require for your home/property to be covered by their insurance.

    1Reply
  • Collin HaysBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Scott Goulet:

    Hi BP, 

    I am under contract for an airbnb property that has a pool. 

    Can anyone discus s the specific coverage for insurance or liability protection I should be looking at? 

    Currently I have an umbrella policy, and i was going to get standard rental policy quotes for insurance, but is there something else I should be looking at? 

    Also, what are the physical requirements I need to have in-place? the Child gate, alarms, etc

    Thank you BP! 


     By "standard rental policy", I hope that you don't mean a landlord policy.  That won't work for a mini-hotel.  You need a commercial policy specifically for overnight rentals, with as much $ liability coverage as you can buy, particularly with a swimming pool.  Your insurance company will tell you what safety requirements that you need to have with the pool as a condition of underwriting.  The trick is making sure these safety items are in place guest after guest, year after year.  The one time a child gate is broken is when you have a drowning.  

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    1Reply
  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    2y

    @John Underwood and @Collin Hays hit the nail on the head.

    Proper has good coverage but it is expensive. Most comprehensive that I have seen. Just make sure they have the details on the pool.

    5m on the umbrella would be my suggestion.

    0Reply
  • Alex F.
    Investor · Plymouth, MN · Member since 2020 · 157 posts · 102 votes
    2y

    Hi @Scott Goulet - Like others said make sure you have a good umbrella policy.  But more important is CYA and make sure the pool has good safety features.  Here is what we do with our 3 homes that have pools and are STRS:

    --Pool fence with the gate - This is a must.  One house we removed the alarm and added the fence.
    --Floor stickers showing dept
    --Wall sign with pool rules
    --Be very clear on the pool, max depth, etc in the welcome email, house guide, etc.

    All the items above can be purchased from Amazon, including the pool fence.  This way, if someone does drown or have an accident, you have done your due diligence and everything you can to make it safe.

    We had a past guest where their child almost drowned.....needed CPR to come back to this world. Luckily he was ok and only 1 night in the hospital.  When talking to the guests, who were lawyers, they were very thankful nothing happened and complimented us on the pool safety items.  

    1Reply
  • Wesley Myers
    Rental Property Investor · Inlet Beach, FL · Member since 2019 · 91 posts · 32 votes
    2y

    My insurance company is telling me that I should go with a separate liability policy over an umbrella policy. What is the difference?

    0Reply
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