Airbnb hosting has exploded across Dayton, Beavercreek, and the surrounding Miami Valley as more homeowners and real estate investors look for flexible ways to generate income. But with this rapid growth comes one major area of confusion: what Airbnb’s “AirCover” actually protects—and where it leaves hosts exposed. Today, we’re sharing insights from Lisa, a seasoned Dayton-area real estate investor with dozens of long-term rentals and multiple short-term rentals, including an Airbnb near the University of Dayton. Her real-world experience reveals what every Ohio host needs to know before assuming AirCover is enough to protect their property, their guests, or their business.

Why Dayton Airbnb Hosts Shouldn’t Rely on AirCover Alone: Lessons From a Local Host

Meet Lisa: A Veteran Dayton Investor and Experienced Airbnb Host

Lisa isn’t just a casual host—she’s one of the most seasoned real estate investors in the Dayton region. With several dozen long-term rentals spread across Dayton neighborhoods, short-term rentals from near the University of Dayton and as far as Beavercreek; she’s seen firsthand how guest interactions, property management, and the Airbnb platform operate behind the scenes. And when it comes to Airbnb’s AirCover program, she has important warnings for new and veteran hosts alike.

According to Lisa, “AirCover is not insurance in the conventional sense.” This is where many Ohio hosts get tripped up—believing they’re protected by a $1,000,000 guarantee when, in reality, the process works very differently.

What Most Airbnb Hosts Think AirCover Protects

AirCover is marketed as a powerful, built-in layer of protection for hosts. Airbnb advertises:

• Up to $1,000,000 in damage protection
• Up to $1,000,000 in liability protection
• Reimbursement for deep cleaning
• Pet damage protection
• Income loss protection

On paper, this sounds like actual insurance. But as Lisa explains, hosts quickly learn that AirCover operates more like a corporate reimbursement program—not a binding insurance policy.

Why AirCover Falls Short for Dayton Airbnb Hosts

1. Claims Are Sent to the Guest First

One of the biggest misunderstandings: AirCover automatically sends reimbursement requests to the guest before Airbnb steps in.

“There’s no way around it,” Lisa says. “The guest gets the request first, whether you want that or not.”

This can lead to:

• Awkward conversations
• Hurt feelings
• Guests retaliating with bad reviews
• Hosts delaying claims until reviews are posted

Lisa explains that hosts often find themselves timing claims carefully so guests leave reviews before being notified of a reimbursement request. “It’s one of the biggest drawbacks of hosting,” she says. “Airbnb forces this strange game-playing dynamic.”

2. AirCover Heavily Depreciates Items

Even with receipts, Lisa notes that Airbnb often applies significant depreciation to damaged items.

“I’ve had linens that were less than a year old depreciated heavily,” she recalls. “You rarely get full value unless something is practically brand new and easily documented.”

The burden is on the host to prove value, age, and condition—something traditional insurance handles far more smoothly.

3. Larger Claims Are an Uphill Battle

For meaningful damage—broken appliances, major repairs, structural issues—Lisa says Airbnb hosts should temper expectations.

“In larger complaints, where you really need them, it’s an uphill battle to be made whole,” she explains. “Repairs and replacements are heavily discounted. You rarely get enough to truly cover what was lost.”

This is a critical distinction between AirCover and real short-term rental insurance.

4. Very Limited Recourse if Airbnb Denies Your Claim

Unlike an insurance contract with legal protections, AirCover decisions are final and difficult to appeal.

“There’s very little recourse to fight their decisions,” Lisa notes. Hosts are often left absorbing losses—especially for anything medium-cost or ambiguous.

5. Hosts End Up Self-Insuring Small and Medium Losses

Lisa recommends a mindset shift for every host:

“Make claims for little things that are easy to document. Self-insure anything medium-sized that Airbnb denies. And have real short-term-rental insurance for the big stuff.”

In other words: AirCover handles receipts and small fixes. Everything else? You’re on your own unless you carry proper coverage.

The Emotional Side: Why Some Hosts Burn Out

Beyond the dollars, AirCover’s process can strain the host–guest relationship.

“With the guest getting the claim first, things can get really uncomfortable,” Lisa says. “Some guests get upset or feel blindsided.”

Her personal advice to every new host:

“Take nothing personally. Remember this is a business. Learn Airbnb’s corporate culture. Stay professional but don’t let it jade you.”

She emphasizes that hosting can still be incredibly rewarding—but only if you manage expectations about AirCover’s limitations and put proper insurance in place.

What AirCover Actually Does Well

To keep things fair, Lisa readily acknowledges what AirCover can be helpful for:

• Ruined linens
• Simple, clearly documented damages
• Pet-related messes
• Low-cost items with receipts

If you save your receipts and regularly document your property, you’ll likely find AirCover useful for these small routine issues.

The Problem: AirCover Is Not Real Insurance

Here’s where most Dayton hosts get tripped up—AirCover is not an insurance policy. It does not offer replacement cost coverage, doesn’t provide full liability protection, and Airbnb can change the terms anytime.

True insurance policies come with contractual obligations and legal protections. AirCover does not.

This is why Ohio hosts absolutely need a proper short-term rental policy written for Airbnb, VRBO, and other platforms.

What Dayton Airbnb Hosts Actually Need for Real Protection

Unlike AirCover, short-term rental insurance policies are designed specifically for homes being rented to guests for short stays. These policies fill in gaps that AirCover simply cannot touch.

1. Short-Term Rental Endorsement or Dedicated STR Policy

This provides coverage for guest-caused damage, plus protections required by lenders and most property owners. For a deeper dive, see our guide: Understanding Rental Property Insurance: A Guide for Dayton Landlords.

2. Replacement Cost Coverage for the Structure

This is essential for hosts with furnished units—especially in high-demand areas like near University of Dayton or downtown Dayton.

3. Contents Coverage for Furnishings

Covers what AirCover depreciates or refuses to reimburse.

4. Commercial Liability Coverage

AirCover’s liability protection has limits, exclusions, and no legal obligations. A real insurance policy protects you if:

• A guest is injured on your property
• A guest sues you
• You need legal defense

For more about liability protections inside a homeowners policy (and its gaps), see: What Does Home Insurance Actually Cover in Ohio?

5. Loss of Rents Coverage

If a fire, storm damage, or other covered event makes your home unrentable, this coverage replaces income. AirCover cannot do that.

To learn more about this protection, see our article: Understanding Loss of Rents Coverage (Ohio Edition).

Lisa’s Advice to Every New or Experienced Host

Over years of hosting and managing dozens of long-term rentals, Lisa has developed a simple roadmap:

• Don’t rely on the $1,000,000 AirCover marketing headline
• Document everything with photos and receipts
• Expect depreciation—especially on items older than 12 months
• Self-insure the small stuff Airbnb denies
• Get real short-term rental insurance for the big claims
• Manage guest relationships carefully—this is a hospitality business
• Don’t take claims personally; keep it professional
• Know that hosting is rewarding, but only when you protect yourself properly

Final Thoughts: Hosting Can Be Rewarding—With the Right Coverage

Airbnb hosting in Dayton, Beavercreek, Oakwood, and near UD can be an incredible income source, but too many hosts learn the hard way that AirCover is not enough. Whether you’re renting out a spare room or operating multiple short-term rentals as a business, proper insurance is essential.

Lisa’s experience highlights a simple truth: AirCover is a helpful bonus—not a substitute for real insurance.

Need Help Protecting Your Ohio Short-Term Rental?

At Ingram Insurance, we help Airbnb and short-term rental hosts across Dayton protect their properties, income, and peace of mind. If you want to review your current policy or explore STR-specific coverage, we’re here to help.

Ingram Insurance
733 Salem Ave, Dayton, OH 45406
Phone: (937) 741-5100
Email: contact@insuredbyingram.com
Website: www.insuredbyingram.com