Important information for those planning to rent their property to out-of-town fans for the upcoming Super Bowl: Ross Corson with the state Commerce Department says most insurance companies take the position that renting out a home, even for a short period, is basically operating a business there. Corson says that means “if there is property damage or injury during the course of that business of the short-term rental, for most homeowners insurance policies those things would not be covered.”
Corson says it might be possible to purchase supplemental coverage. Airbnb offers liability coverage to its hosts, but the program does not include medical expense or personal liability.
Corson stresses, “Accidents can happen — anytime, anywhere and to anyone — but if the accident happens in your home when you’ve rented it out to a person, generally your homeowners policy is not going to protect you.”
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