What Types of Short-Term Rental Properties Do We Insure?

We can help property owners explore insurance options for a variety of short-term rental arrangements, including:

Single-Family Vacation Rentals

Homes rented to guests for short stays, weekends, vacations, business travel, or other temporary accommodations.

Condominiums & Townhomes

Short-term rental coverage may be available for qualifying condominiums and townhomes, subject to the property's location, association requirements, carrier guidelines, and other underwriting considerations.

Guest Houses & Accessory Dwelling Units

If you rent a detached guest house, casita, ADU, or similar structure to short-term guests, we can help you explore available coverage options.

Investment Properties

If you purchased a property specifically to generate rental income through short-term occupancy, we can help you determine what type of insurance may be appropriate.

Multi-Property Owners

If you own multiple rental properties, we can discuss your overall insurance needs and determine whether individual policies or other insurance arrangements may be appropriate.

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Why Does A Short-Term Rental Need Specialized Insurance?

A property used as a short-term rental can have different insurance considerations than a home occupied by the owner or a property rented to a long-term tenant.  Short-term rental properties may have:

• Frequent changes in occupants
• Guests who are unfamiliar with the property
• Increased guest activity
• Greater exposure to accidental property damage
• Guest-related liability concerns
• Furnishings and equipment provided for guest use
• Different occupancy patterns
• Additional business-related exposures

 

The insurance policy that is appropriate for an owner-occupied home may not automatically provide the same protection when the property is being used for short-term lodging.  The Texas Department of Insurance advises homeowners who rent their property for short-term lodging to ask their insurance agent whether they are covered because most policies do not pay for damages or injuries that occur during short-term rentals.   That's why it is important to discuss your property's actual use with an insurance professional before listing it for short-term rental.

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Short-Term Rental Insurance For Airbnb, Vrbo & Vacation Rentals

Whether you advertise your property through Airbnb, Vrbo, another rental platform, your own website, or directly to guests, the way you use the property can affect your insurance needs.  We can help you explore insurance options for properties used as:

• Airbnb rentals
• Vrbo rentals
• Vacation rentals
• Short-term furnished rentals
• Guest houses
• Accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
• Investment properties
• Second homes used as short-term rentals
• Other qualifying short-term lodging arrangements

 

Coverage availability and eligibility vary by property, location, occupancy, rental activity, and insurance carrier.

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What Can Short-Term Rental Insurance Cover?

The coverage available will depend on the insurance policy, carrier, property, and underwriting requirements.  Depending on the policy, coverage may be available for areas such as:

Dwelling Coverage

Protection for the insured building against covered causes of loss.

This can include the primary rental structure and, depending on the policy, certain permanently attached features.

Other Structures

Depending on the policy, coverage may be available for qualifying structures that are separate from the primary dwelling.

Examples may include:

• Detached garages
• Sheds
• Guest structures
• Other eligible structures

Personal Property & Furnishings

Short-term rental owners often furnish their properties for guests.  Depending on the policy, coverage may be available for qualifying furniture, appliances, electronics, and other property used in connection with the rental.

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage can be an important consideration when you invite paying guests onto your property.  Depending on the policy, liability protection may apply to certain covered claims involving bodily injury or property damage for which the insured is legally responsible.

Loss of Rental Income

Some policies may provide coverage for qualifying lost rental income when a covered loss makes the property unavailable for rental.  Availability, limits, waiting periods, exclusions, and other conditions vary by policy.

Additional Coverage Options

Depending on the property and carrier, additional coverage or endorsements may be available to address specific risks or circumstances.  We'll help you understand the coverage options available for your particular property.

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Don't Rely Solely On Airbnb Or Vrbo Protection

Many short-term rental platforms provide some form of host protection or insurance-related program. However, platform protection should not automatically be treated as a substitute for an insurance policy specifically designed for your property and circumstances.

Platform programs can have their own eligibility requirements, exclusions, limits, claims procedures, and conditions.  Your personal insurance policy and the protection provided by a rental platform may address different risks.

Before listing your property, discuss your insurance coverage with an insurance professional and determine what protection is actually available to you.

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Short-Term Rental Insurance for San Antonio Property Owners

San Antonio has specific requirements that apply to short-term rental operators.  The City of San Antonio defines a short-term rental as a residential dwelling, apartment, condominium, or accessory dwelling where sleeping areas are rented overnight to guests for fewer than 30 consecutive days, subject to the City's requirements. Short-term rentals within the City limits must obtain an STR permit to operate.  The City's short-term-rental requirements also address insurance coverage. The City's ordinance requires the owner to maintain insurance coverage for the unit or portions thereof in accordance with the applicable requirements.

Insurance is only one part of operating a short-term rental.  San Antonio also has permitting, tax, and other regulatory requirements that may apply to your property. For example, the City requires STR operators to report Hotel Occupancy Tax monthly, including reporting requirements even when a platform collects certain taxes on the operator's behalf.

We can help you address the insurance side of your short-term rental needs.

For permitting, taxation, zoning, deed restrictions, HOA requirements, or other legal/regulatory questions, consult the appropriate government agency or qualified professional.

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Short-Term Rental Insurance Throughout Texas

You don't have to own a San Antonio property to contact us.  Sams One Stop / Sams Insurance Group works with property owners throughout Texas, subject to insurance carrier availability and underwriting guidelines.  If you own a short-term rental in another Texas city or county, contact us to discuss your property and determine what insurance options may be available.

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How to Get a Short-Term Rental Insurance Quote

Getting started is simple.

Step 1 — Tell Us About Your Property

We'll need information about the property, including its location, type, ownership, occupancy, and intended rental use.

Step 2 — Tell Us How You Operate the Rental

We'll discuss how often you rent the property, how guests book the property, whether you use Airbnb, Vrbo, direct bookings, or another arrangement, and other factors that may affect underwriting.

Step 3 — We Explore Available Options

We'll review the information and determine what insurance options may be available through the applicable insurance carriers.

Step 4 — Review Your Coverage

We'll help you understand the available coverage, limits, deductibles, exclusions, and other important policy considerations.

Step 5 — Choose the Coverage That Fits

Once you understand the available options, you can make an informed decision about the coverage appropriate for your property.