Las Vegas Airbnb Liability Lawyers

Airbnb is a popular online service for homeowners to rent their residences to vacationers and travelers. Some Airbnb hosts provide competitive rates compared to local hotels and motels, while people who own luxurious homes in attractive vacation spots like Las Vegas, Nevada offer opulent getaways at premium rates. If you are considering renting out your home as an Airbnb host, you need to know a few things in regard to your liability for personal injuries and other damages as a host. The attorneys at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP can advise you of your legal liabilities and responsibilities as a host in Clark County.

Airbnb Host Protection

When you rent out your home as an Airbnb host and a guest suffers an injury on your property, which party is liable? Airbnb offers hosts insurance that provides up to $1 million in coverage for an accident involving a guest, but the policy terms are very strict and include several disclaimers releasing the company from liability in certain events. It’s wise to have your own homeowner’s insurance policy as a backup in case Airbnb denies liability for an accident.

It’s also important to remember that a guest could cause an accident at your own home as well as your neighbor’s home, especially if you live in a multi-home development, townhome, or duplex. If the company denies you coverage under its Host Protection program, you will have to resort to filing a claim against your own homeowner’s insurance policy or taking legal action against the at-fault party. Either situation can be difficult, as your own homeowner’s insurance policy may not cover rental-related damages, or the at-fault party may claim the accident was your fault as a homeowner.

Legal Concerns for Airbnb Hosts

While Airbnb offers Host Protection, it’s not a good idea to rely solely on its coverage unless you are absolutely certain your home meets its very strict criteria. You must also ensure you meet your tax obligations in your area for your rentals. Airbnb offers a rundown of host obligations (meeting zoning codes, permit obligations, business licenses, and taxing information) specific to Las Vegas. Opening your home to vacationers can be a great way to earn income on the side, as long as you go into it with your eyes wide open.

Your Airbnb coverage can fluctuate based on other factors, like whether a guest or third party caused an accident. Ultimately, it’s wise to work with a lawyer before renting your home on Airbnb to make sure you meet the tax and zoning requirements for Las Vegas and the state of Nevada. Your Las Vegas personal injury attorney can also help you make sure your homeowner’s insurance policy will be a viable backup in case Airbnb denies you coverage under its Host Protection Insurance.

How Can an Attorney Help?

Before applying to host for Airbnb, a lawyer can review your existing homeowner’s insurance policy to determine which types of additional coverage may benefit you. It’s also wise to carefully review the detailed insurance terms of service before applying as a host. The attorneys at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP know insurance companies and we know Las Vegas, so we can help you get your insurance sorted out before hosting Airbnb guests in your home.

If Airbnb denies you coverage for a rental-related accident, we can review its terms of service and various disclaimers to look for any verbiage that supports your claim. If you need to take legal action against a guest, Airbnb, or a third party, we can help with those concerns, as well. If you plan to rent for Airbnb in the future or have had a problem with a recent insurance claim, contact our Las Vegas team today to schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers.