Renting your property on VRBO or Airbnb, by the night or by the week, is a business, and a standard homeowners or condo policy usually isn't written for it. A claim during a guest's stay can be denied if your policy doesn't allow rental use.
Southend Insurance covers vacation rentals, nightly rentals, short-term rental condos and long-term landlord properties across Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island. Tell us how you rent and we'll match you with a carrier that insures it.
Short-term rental condos
Many condos on Amelia Island are rented to vacationers by the night or week, and many insurance companies won't write a unit that's used that way. Southend Insurance works with companies that will, so your unit, your furnishings and your liability to guests are covered.
Insurance for Airbnb and VRBO hosts
If you host guests on Airbnb, VRBO or another booking site, don't rely on your homeowners policy. Many standard homeowners policies limit or exclude coverage when a home is rented to paying guests, and a claim can be denied if the insurance company didn't know the property was a rental.
Booking platforms offer host protection programs, but they are not a substitute for your own policy. They come with their own limits and exclusions, and they don't replace coverage your lender may require. A short-term rental policy built for hosts can include:
- Liability if a guest is injured at the property, including at the pool or on the stairs and decks.
- Loss of rental income if a covered loss, like a hurricane, leaves the home unrentable during your busy season.
- Furnishings and contents you provide for guests.
- Guest damage and theft, depending on the policy.
On Amelia Island, plan for the hurricane deductible and remember that flood is a separate policy. Some condo associations and local rules also have their own insurance requirements for short-term rentals, so we check those when we quote.
What rental property insurance can cover
- The building or your condo unit's interior
- Furnishings and items you provide for guests
- Liability for guest injuries
- Lost rental income while the property is being repaired
- Damage caused by guests
- Loss assessment for condo owners
Coverage for every kind of rental
- VRBO, Airbnb and nightly rentals: policies written for frequent short stays, including guest liability and loss of rental income.
- Short-term rental condos: HO-6 coverage from carriers that accept nightly and weekly rental use.
- Long-term rentals: landlord or dwelling fire (DP-3) policies for homes and condos rented by the month or year.
- Umbrella coverage: extra liability protection above your rental policy.
Good to know in Florida: Flood isn't covered by a rental policy and needs its own flood insurance policy. Florida also requires a vacation rental license for many short-term rentals. See our article on insuring a short-term rental on Amelia Island.
Vacation Rental & Landlord Insurance FAQs
Does my homeowners policy cover VRBO or Airbnb guests?
Often not. A standard homeowners policy is written for a home you live in, and many exclude or limit coverage when the home is rented to guests. You need a policy or endorsement written for rental use.
Can I insure a condo that I rent by the night?
Yes. Many carriers won't write a condo used as a nightly or weekly rental, but Southend Insurance works with companies that will. Tell us how the unit is rented and we'll match it to the right carrier.
Is Airbnb's or VRBO's host protection enough?
Platform host protection programs have their own limits, exclusions and claim rules. They aren't a substitute for an insurance policy in your name.
What insurance does a long-term landlord need?
A landlord or dwelling fire (DP-3) policy covers the building, your liability and lost rent. Your tenant's belongings are covered by their own renters policy.