October 6, 2026 · 7 min read
Airbnb Earnings Protection Insurance: the policy that protects your income (and how it differs from AirCover)
If damage to your property has ever forced you to close your calendar for days, you know the hit isn't just the repair bill: it's the nights you can't sell. To cover exactly that gap, Airbnb introduced Earnings Protection Insurance this year, an optional policy that protects part of your income when you can't operate your listing. This guide, based on a video by Césia Caraballo, coach at La Academia de Host, explains what it covers, how it differs from AirCover, who can buy it and how coverage is calculated.
What Earnings Protection Insurance is
It's an optional, paid add-on that protects certain listing income against situations that interrupt your rental activity. Like any insurance, it's subject to the policy's terms, conditions and exclusions.
Most importantly: it is not AirCover. AirCover comes included with your bookings and focuses on damage caused by guests. This new policy focuses on something else: the money you stop earning when your property can't be used.
What it covers
The video walks through the main covered events and the minimum time each one must last before you can file a claim:
| Event | Examples | Minimum duration to claim |
|---|---|---|
| Unexpected damage | Fire, flood, burst pipe, structural damage | 4 consecutive days |
| Power outage | Widespread outage in your listing's area | 3 consecutive days |
| Loss of access | Main road closure, mandatory evacuation | 7 consecutive days without access |
| Severe weather and natural disasters | Hurricanes, severe floods, intense storms | Per the policy's requirements |
For hosts in Florida and other hurricane-prone areas, that last row matters most: a hurricane can keep you from operating for a week or two even if the property isn't badly damaged.
AirCover vs. Earnings Protection
AirCover for Hosts is included at no cost on eligible bookings and covers:
- Property damage: up to $3 million in protection for damage caused directly by guests.
- Liability: up to $1 million for third-party claims.
- Safety and prevention: identity verification, reservation screening and a 24/7 safety line.
- Lost income (limited): in some cases, reimbursement for confirmed bookings you had to cancel because of guest damage.
Airbnb reviews every AirCover claim before paying it.
Earnings Protection Insurance is optional and paid, and works differently:
- It protects your income from covered events that stop you from operating the property entirely, not just guest damage.
- Coverage is set per listing: each property needs its own policy.
- The amount is based on your historical earnings.
- Payouts depend on verification, approval and the policy's conditions.
| AirCover | Earnings Protection | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Included | Monthly premium |
| Protects | Guest damage, liability | Income lost to covered events |
| Starts | From your first booking | Requires earnings history |
| Scope | All eligible bookings | One policy per listing |
In short: AirCover protects your property from guests; Earnings Protection protects your cash flow from the unexpected.
Who qualifies
According to the video, the main requirements are:
- Location: both you and the property must be in the United States.
- Listing limit: five listings at most. If you manage more than five, you can't apply for now.
- History: the property needs at least a year of operation and a minimum number of bookings in the last 12 months.
One point in your favor: you don't need future bookings to file a claim. Even if your calendar is empty when the event happens, you can claim as long as you document the lost income and the event is covered.
How coverage is calculated: an example
A host has three Airbnbs and wants to insure one of them. The calculation starts with that property's earnings over the last 12 months:
- Earnings over the last 12 months: about $100,778
- Divided by 12: $8,398.21, the monthly coverage amount
- Monthly premium: $146.97 a month
So for under $150 a month, this host protects about $8,400 of monthly coverage against the events the policy includes. That's why knowing your property's historical earnings matters: they decide how much the policy covers.
How claims work
It comes down to four steps:
- Claim: you submit the required documents.
- Review: the insurer checks that you meet the requirements.
- Confirmation: you're told whether it was approved and how much you'll receive.
- Compensation: you're paid according to your policy.
And one big advantage: for severe weather or a natural disaster, Airbnb files the claim for you automatically.
Is it worth it for you?
It makes the most sense if:
- Your property is in an area exposed to hurricanes, floods or long power outages.
- You rely on that listing's income to cover the mortgage or fixed costs.
- You have a few listings (up to five) and a solid earnings history.
To decide, compare the monthly premium with what you'd lose if the property were closed for a week or two in high season. If you're not sure of your net numbers, start there: the RentaClara profitability calculator shows your property's income, expenses and real profit, and the AI audit finds what's holding its performance back.
Want help evaluating this policy and optimizing your Airbnb step by step? Book a call with our team.
Frequently asked questions
Does Earnings Protection replace AirCover?
No. They work together. AirCover still covers guest damage and liability; this policy covers income lost to events that stop you from operating.
Can I insure just one of my properties?
Yes. Policies are per listing, as in the example above.
Do I need upcoming bookings to file a claim?
No. You can claim with no upcoming bookings, as long as you document the lost income.
What if I have more than five listings?
Under the current requirements, you can't apply.
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