I’ve been renting vacation homes around the world for more than a decade. It is one of my favorite ways to immerse myself in the local culture and simply have more space for my friends and family. During the holidays it is an especially busy rental season, which means the risk of fraud and theft increase greatly.
If you’re renting out your home this season for extra income or staying in someone else’s home you need to know the risks and how to stay protected. Understanding how your insurance may help cover you while you’re away from home can give you some peace of mind, allowing you to focus on your vacation and holiday fun and Allstate is here to help.
Tips for Safely Renting A Vacation Home
Over the holidays I plan to rent someone’s home, but want to stay protected when doing so. This means I go to favorite vacation rental site and check for positives on the selection of homes I’m looking at. The next step is to contact the owner. Email and messaging works great, but getting the owner of the home on the phone before you book is even better. And I never wire money when I can pay through the vacation rental site.
However, this is only the start of my vacation home process to stay safe.
Stay Safe Renting a Vacation Home
Staying safe and covered while on vacation is just as important as it is at home. That is why I always double check my coverage and take the steps necessary to stay safe when I rent vacation homes for the holidays. I hope for the best, but plan for the unexpected.
If you already have renters or homeowners insurance at your home, it usually includes two types of coverage that can help protect you while you’re renting someone else’s home on vacation; personal property coverage and liability coverage. When in doubt, reach out to your insurance agent before your trip. Your agent can help answer questions about how your existing insurance policy may or may not offer protection while you’re staying at a vacation rental home.
Leave Your Valuables At Home
This might seem obvious, but it is tempting to bring your valuables with you on vacation. Theft can still occur no matter if you’re in your own home or renting another. That is why I try to leave the valuables at home. Since your homeowners policy may apply lower coverage limits to your belongings if they are damaged, lost or destroyed away from your home, this is an easy way to avoid any problems while you’re supposed to be enjoying a lazy day at the beach.
Always a Renter Never a Host
After all these years renting vacation homes, I’ve started considering renting out my own home as well. Would you ever rent out your own home?
If you’re considering renting your own place to visitors while renting someone else’s home, consider HostAdvantage® from Allstate. With Allstate HostAdvantage® you can be protected against damage caused by temporary renters or theft to your belongings while your home is being rented.
This post was written as part of the Allstate Influencer Program and sponsored by Allstate. All opinions are mine. As the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, Allstate is dedicated not only to protecting what matters most–but to guiding people to live the Good Life, every day.
