If you own a beach house, then you know that there’s always a risk of hurricanes. In fact, hurricane season can be a very hectic time for vacation rental property owners. This blog post will take a look at the Airbnb hurricane policy and a few tips to help you protect your investment, plus ensure that your beach house is ready for anything that comes its way.

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What is the Airbnb Hurricane Policy?

Unfortunately, hurricanes are not included as part of Airbnb’s “extenuating circumstances policy.” This means that guests are not entitled to a refund if they have to cancel their stay due to a hurricane. This is because hurricanes are considered predictable and foreseeable enough that guests are expected to take them into account when making their travel plans.

As a property owner, you should be aware that you are not obligated to refund guests if a hurricane disrupts their stay. However, there are some things that you can do to help your guests out if a hurricane is headed your way. For example, you could offer a partial refund or allow them to reschedule their stay for a later date.

What Can You Do to Prepare Your Beach House for Hurricane Season?

There are a few things that you can do to help protect your beach house in the event of a hurricane:

Get short-term rental insurance

This is one of the most important things you can do to protect your property. There is no such thing as “hurricane insurance,” so make sure that you have adequate coverage in case a hurricane causes damage.

Create an emergency plan

Sit down and come up with a plan for what to do in the event of a hurricane. This should include:

• Where your guests should go if they must evacuate
• How to contact one another if the power goes out
• What to do if damage occurs

Be sure to communicate your plan to your guests so that they know what to do in the event of an emergency. An excellent spot for this note is in your house manual.

Invest in hurricane shutters

Hurricane shutters can help protect your windows from high winds and flying debris. This can help prevent damage to your property and make it less likely that your guests will be injured.

Bring any outdoor furniture inside

When a hurricane comes your way, bring any outdoor furniture inside. This includes things like patio umbrellas, chairs, and tables. This protects your furniture from damage and causing damage to your property or others.

Trim any large trees

If you have any large trees on your property, it’s a good idea to trim them before hurricane season. This will help prevent them from falling and causing damage to your property.

Keep an emergency kit on hand

This should include things like non-perishable food, water, flashlights, and first aid supplies. This will help you and your guests weather any stormy conditions.

Final Thoughts

Great short-term rental hosts prepare for hurricane season. This means having adequate insurance coverage, creating an emergency plan, and investing in hurricane shutters.

You should also bring any outdoor furniture inside, trim any large trees, and keep an emergency kit on hand. By taking these precautions, you can help protect your property and ensure that your guests and investment are safe in the event of a hurricane.

Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!