357. My Airbnb Burnt Down! AirCover vs. STR Insurance Spotlight

Today it’s time to get serious – as serious as a catastrophic house fire. With no exaggeration, it is essential that any short-term rental host, or aspiring host, listen into this entire episode.

This week’s expert guest is Nicholas Libertin. He and his wife live in the Cleveland area and host a vacation rental in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His area of expertise, unfortunately, lies in his experience with a second listing – a mountain cabin – which tragically burnt down in January of this year.

No one was hurt. But the entire home was lost to the fire.

Nick is incredibly gracious and, in an effort to better educate the STR community, came ready and willing to detail his entire experience with this worst-case scenario come true. He walks us through that fateful day, how he was informed, who he called first, and all of the important roles played – from his insurance (proper.insure) and mortgage providers, to Airbnb and AirCover.

So, what happens when the worst possible thing you can imagine, as an Airbnb host, interrupts your weekday Zoom meeting?

Nick walks us through the painful emotions, the disappointing community fallout, and the difficult decisions that he and his wife were forced into as a result of the fire – providing an invaluable service to all of us in this industry. Be sure to stick around for his well-earned takeaway tips and required homework assignments.

(00:01:22) #STRShareSunday: @cancast_seaside

(00:02:50) Nicholas Libertin: Getting Started in Vacation Rentals

(00:09:27) Intro to Nick’s Blue Ridge Short-Term Rental Project

(00:13:17) A Catastrophic House Fire: January 4th, 2024

(00:24:23) What To Do With a Burned Down Airbnb?

(00:37:20) AirCover for Hosts: Nick’s First-Hand Experience

(00:43:50) Now What? Next Steps at the Property

Resources:

• #STRShareSunday: @cancast_seaside

• Direct Booking: villaatvictoriapark.lodgify.com

• Email: [email protected]

• Photos: See the post-fire property