Understanding travel insurance and assistance services

Emergencies and unexpected trip interruptions happen. That’s why Airbnb offers travel insurance and assistance services.

Guests who live in the US and certain provinces and territories in Canada can insure their reservations against certain risks when booking a trip. If they cancel for a covered reason, they’ll be able to file an insurance claim to seek reimbursement for their unrefunded Airbnb booking cost.

This may reduce the possibility of guests asking Hosts for a refund outside the terms of Hosts’ cancellation policies.

Travel insurance and assistance services are available to guests who live in the US or Canada, except in Quebec and Nunavut.

Guests in these and other eligible countries have the option to buy travel protection on Airbnb before confirming and paying for a reservation. In the US, guests can also add travel protection after booking. Before purchasing, guests can review details about what their plan generally does and doesn’t cover.

The guest pays a percentage of their total booking cost for travel protection. The cost of their plan includes a fee for assistance services like medical referrals, travel support, and identity theft resolution. 

Guests who buy travel protection receive an email confirmation with their plan’s details and information about how to file a claim. 

Depending on the guest’s location, plans are issued by Generali US Branch or Europ Assistance S.A. Canada Branch. Both are part of Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A., a leading multinational insurer.

Travel insurance adds protection for guests, including payment for up to 100% of their non-refundable booking costs if their trip is impacted by certain covered events, which may include severe weather or serious illness.

For example, if a Host refunds 50% of a guest’s booking cost under the Host’s cancellation policy, travel insurance can refund some or all of the remaining 50% when the guest cancels for a covered reason. The insurance provider will not seek to recover any money from the Host to pay the guest’s claim.

Coverage and terms vary by location. You can find more details in the Help Center:

• United States
• Canada

Travel insurance and assistance services are different from AirCover for guests, which is provided with every booking. AirCover offers guests protection for unexpected issues like listing inaccuracies or being unable to check in.

For US residents: The travel protection plan is offered by Airbnb Insurance Agency LLC, 222 Broadway, Floor 26, New York, NY 10038 (California license number 6001912), which is licensed as an insurance agency in all states of the US and the District of Columbia, and the travel insurance coverages are underwritten by Generali US Branch (NAIC #11231) of New York, NY The insurance coverages and assistance services are described on a general basis and are subject to certain conditions and exclusions.

For Canada residents (except Quebec and Nunavut): Travel insurance is offered by Airbnb Canada Insurance Services Inc. and underwritten by Europ Assistance S.A. Canada Branch. Airbnb Canada Insurance Services Inc. is licensed as an insurance agency and its registered office is at 1600-925 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L2, Canada. The travel insurance benefits and services are subject to terms and conditions and certain exclusions apply.

Information contained in this article may have changed since publication.