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Short term rental insurance

Short-term rental properties, from Airbnb listings to holiday homes, face unique insurance challenges that standard home and contents policies don't address. Whether you're an Airbnb host or renting through Book a Bach, Marsh provides specialised insurance solutions designed specifically for New Zealand's growing vacation rental market.

About holiday home and short-term rental insurance

Short-term rental insurance is a protection package designed for Airbnb properties, holiday homes, and bach rentals. This specialised coverage addresses the unique risks that ordinary home insurance doesn't cover when hosting guests.

If you own a furnished house, unit or apartment that’s rented out short-term through a letting pool such as Airbnb or Book a Bach, ordinary home and contents insurance is unlikely to cover your unique risks and needs.

How often your property is used as a holiday home (for example, occasionally or full-time) can impact your insurance needs too. As a general rule, if your property is used more often than not as a short-term rental, it could benefit from a commercial short term rental insurance policy.

Marsh has a highly experienced and specialist team that works with New Zealand’s leading insurers to access policies covering the unique needs of holiday homeowners. Our team can craft a bespoke insurance package to safeguard your valuable assets, ranging from basic contents cover to premium solutions.

What is covered by short-term rental insurance?

Short term rental insurance is a specialist insurance package for holiday homeowners and vacation rental hosts. It can include liability insurance and cover for your dwelling and contents.
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Holiday rental protection

From bach properties to city apartments, our holiday rental insurance provides protection tailored to New Zealand's diverse vacation accommodation market.

Contents

Protect your holiday rental's contents and valuable assets, from luxury furnishings to essential appliances that make your property attractive to guests.

Dwelling

Your holiday home or bach represents a significant investment. Dwelling cover protects the building structure against damage from incidents like from natural disasters, fires, and other unforeseen events.

Host liability protection

We can arrange general liability coverage for holiday home and Airbnb hosts which can cover incidents involving guests on your property, including injuries during their stay and damage to neighbouring properties caused by guest activities.

Rental income protection

If your holiday rental property cannot accommodate guests due to covered damage, rental income protection provides compensation for lost booking income during the repair period.

General exclusions

Short term rental insurance policies can vary, but here are some examples of what typically isn’t covered.

Maintenance issues

Insurers typically don’t cover issues caused by faulty workmanship and poor maintenance, so it’s a good idea to make sure your vacation rental is in good working order.

Personal contents

The hosts personal contents, such as your jewellery, clothes and mobile phone, aren’t covered. This type of insurance covers the contents of your holiday home, like sofas and glassware.

Personal use

A holiday home for personal use (i.e. not rented out to guests, owner occupany) is not covered by this type of insurance. Get insurance for personal contents and more with Marsh private client services.

Key product highlights

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Tailored to your holiday rental needs

Whether you own a luxury bach, city apartment, or rural retreat, our specialist brokers can arrange insurance packages tailored to your specific holiday rental operation and guest demographic.

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Protect your holiday investment

Your holiday rental represents a significant investment opportunity. Get tailored protection that safeguards everything from your property structure to the furnishings that create memorable guest experiences.

Short term rental insurance example

Claire owns a holiday home in Wānaka. She rents it out through a letting agency for most of the year and has a commercial insurance policy package in place.

In mid-winter, a short term rental guest in Claire’s holiday home decides to use the log burner. A burning log rolls onto the rug causing a fire. This causes smoke damage to the walls, curtains and the sofa. Claire’s holiday home and contents insurance covers the cost of fixing or replacing the rug, sofa and curtains and could possibly provide loss of income payments while the property is being repaired.

This case study is fictional and does not represent any real-life individuals, events or organisations.

 

Why use a broker for holiday rental insurance?

Holiday rental insurance involves unique risks and coverage requirements that general insurance providers often struggle to understand. Our specialist brokers have extensive experience with vacation rental operations and can identify coverage gaps that could leave you exposed.

Why choose Marsh for your short-term rental insurance?

With extensive experience in New Zealand's holiday accommodation sector, Marsh understands the unique insurance challenges facing short-term rental hosts and can arrange insurance solutions that general insurers could struggle to match.

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Supporting New Zealand's holiday rental hosts

From coastal bach properties to luxury alpine retreats, Marsh has extensive experience supporting New Zealand's holiday accommodation owners. Our specialist brokers understand the unique challenges of vacation rental operations and provide insurance solutions tailored to the hospitality sector.

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Your local, world-leading broker

Marsh combines world-leading insurance expertise with deep knowledge of New Zealand's holiday accommodation market. Our brokers understand local tourism patterns, seasonal variations, and the regulatory environment affecting vacation rental operations.

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Holiday rental claims support

Holiday rental claims can be complex, involving guest incidents, property damage, and income loss. Our experienced claims team understands vacation rental operations and works to minimise disruption to your booking schedule while ensuring fair claim resolution.

Frequently asked questions

Whether you rent out your bach during summer holidays or your city apartment occasionally for events, you still need appropriate short-term rental insurance. Our brokers can help curate coverage that matches your rental frequency and guest activity levels.

Full-time holiday rental operations require commercial-grade insurance coverage. Whether you're operating a boutique bach business or managing multiple vacation properties, our brokers can structure comprehensive commercial policies that protect your rental business investment.

Yes, different types of holiday properties in New Zealand often require tailored insurance coverage due to their unique characteristics and associated risks. For example:

  • City apartments: These properties may face risks such as theft, vandalism, or damage from neighbouring units. Insurance for city apartments should include coverage for personal property and liability, as well as any specific regulations that may apply to short-term rentals in urban areas, such as those governed by local councils.
  • Cabins in the bush: Cabins may be exposed to natural hazards like bushfires, flooding, or severe weather. Insurance for these properties should address these risks, including coverage for potential evacuation costs and damage from wildlife.
  • Beach houses: Properties near the coast may require additional coverage for flood damage and storm-related incidents, particularly in areas prone to cyclones or heavy rainfall. It’s important to consider policies that specifically address these environmental risks.
  • Luxury lodges: High-end properties may have unique features and amenities that require specialised coverage, including protection for valuable items and higher liability limits due to the potential for larger gatherings.

Additionally, whether you operate your property as a full-time or part-time short-term rental can significantly impact your insurance needs.

  • Full-time short-term rentals: If you rent out your property year-round, you may need comprehensive coverage that includes liability for guests, loss of rental income, and protection against property damage. This type of insurance is crucial for managing the higher volume of guests and associated risks.
  • Part-time short-term rentals: For properties rented out only occasionally, you may still need specialised coverage, but it could differ in scope. Some homeowners may opt for a rider on their existing home insurance, but it’s essential to ensure that it adequately covers the risks associated with short-term rentals.

Each type of holiday property and rental arrangement presents its own set of risks, so it’s crucial to consult with an insurance professional to ensure you have the right coverage tailored to your specific property type and rental situation in New Zealand.

If guests damage your holiday rental property, the first step is to assess the extent of the damage and document it thoroughly with photographs and notes. Depending on the nature of your insurance policy, you may be covered for such incidents. Most specialised short-term rental insurance policies include coverage for property damage caused by guests, which can help you recover repair costs.

If the damage is significant, you should report it to your insurance provider as soon as possible. They will guide you through the claims process and inform you about the necessary documentation required.

Yes, if you have a commercial short-term rental insurance policy, it may cover you for cancelling guest bookings due to property damage. These policies often include business interruption provisions for loss of rental income, which can help protect you in such situations. However, it’s important to review the specific terms and conditions of your policy to understand the coverage details and any potential exclusions.

Yes, even if you use a property management company, it is still advisable to have your own insurance coverage. While property management companies often have their own insurance policies, these may not cover all aspects of your property, or the specific risks associated with short-term rentals.

Having your own insurance ensures that you are adequately protected against potential liabilities, property damage, and loss of rental income.

When insuring eco-friendly or unique holiday properties, there are several important considerations to keep in mind.

Firstly, you should ensure that your insurance policy covers the specific features and materials used in your property, such as sustainable building materials or renewable energy systems. Some insurers may offer specialised coverage for eco-friendly properties that take into account their unique risks and value.

Secondly, consider the potential for increased liability associated with unique features, such as hot tubs, swimming pools, or unusual architectural elements. It’s essential to have adequate liability coverage to protect against accidents or injuries that may occur on your property.

Additionally, if your property has specific eco-friendly certifications or is part of a green rental programme, you may want to discuss these with your insurance provider, as they could impact your coverage options or premiums.

Finally, be aware of any local regulations or requirements related to eco-friendly properties, as these may influence your insurance needs. Consulting with an insurance professional who understands the nuances of insuring unique and eco-friendly properties can help ensure you have the right coverage in place.

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