If you’re renting out a property on Airbnb, you’ve probably wondered how insurance for Airbnb UK really works and what protection you actually have if something goes wrong. Guests, luggage, keys, breakages, leaks… there’s a lot happening in a short-term let, and most owners want reassurance that they’re not on their own.
This guide explains the basics of insurance for Airbnb UK for hosts, how Airbnb’s own protections fit in, and how Keey’s way of managing properties works alongside specialist insurers. It’s general information only – it isn’t financial advice or a recommendation for any specific policy, so you should always confirm details directly with insurers or a qualified adviser.
Why insurance matters for UK Airbnb hosts
Short-term letting is different from a standard long-term tenancy. Guests come and go frequently, you may not always be nearby, and your property is used more intensively. That’s why the right cover for an Airbnb property in the UK is about more than just buildings and contents – liability and guest-related damage also matter.
Many UK insurers highlight that standard home or landlord policies often don’t fully cover paying guests or short-term lets, and may even exclude them altogether unless you tell the insurer and arrange specialist cover. Because of that, it’s important to think about whether your current policy is still appropriate once you start hosting.
What Airbnb already provides
Before you look at extra specialist policies, it’s worth understanding what’s already included on the platform itself.
Airbnb’s AirCover for Hosts includes host damage protection and host liability-style protection that is designed to help where a guest damages your place or where there’s a claim for injury or third-party property damage connected to a stay. The details, limits and exclusions are set by Airbnb, and hosts should always check the latest information on Airbnb’s website.
Keey reflects this in its own materials. On Keey’s website, they note that Airbnb provides strong protection for hosts in case of guest damage or incidents, and that Keey also uses security deposits and clear house rules as extra assurance for owners.
Why many hosts still look for additional cover
Even with AirCover, a lot of owners still research dedicated insurance for Airbnb UK hosting. Reasons often include:
- Standard policies may exclude paying guests or business use unless you’ve told the insurer.
- Some owners want clear, regulated insurance contracts that sit alongside Airbnb’s own protections.
- Hosts may receive bookings through other channels, or direct bookings that aren’t automatically covered by Airbnb’s programmes.
On Keey’s site, the FAQ explains that Airbnb provides a host guarantee for damage, and that Keey can recommend specialised home insurance for extra peace of mind. This shows how platform protection and specialist cover often work together rather than replacing one another.
How Keey fits into insurance for Airbnb UK
Keey is an award-winning Airbnb and short-term rental management company, helping property owners earn more while staying hands-off. Keey is not an insurance company, but the way it operates is closely connected to risk and protection.
From Keey’s own pages, we know that bookings that go through Airbnb are covered by AirCover, and that for other bookings Keey works with partners such as GuardDog and other local insurances to provide property-related protection. Keey can also recommend specialised home insurance options to owners who want additional reassurance.
On top of this, Keey’s operational setup reduces the likelihood of problems in the first place:
- The Services page explains how Keey manages listing creation, guest communication, cleaning, maintenance and more, helping keep properties well-presented and well-looked-after.
- Dedicated House Keeping services focus on professional cleaning and property care between stays, which supports better guest behaviour and fewer disputes.
- The Airbnb Management London page shows how Keey runs end-to-end management in one of the busiest short-let markets in the world, including check-in and guest support.
All of this means that, while a specialist policy handles the technical side of your protection, Keey’s role is to manage the day-to-day hosting experience in a way that reduces risk and keeps the property in excellent condition.
Key questions to ask about your cover
When you speak to an insurer, broker or adviser, it can help to have a checklist ready. Here are some practical questions that many UK hosts consider (you’ll still need professional advice for your specific case):
- Does my current home or landlord policy allow paying guests and short-term lets?
- If not, what changes or specialist cover do I need so my property is correctly insured?
- How does the policy sit alongside Airbnb’s AirCover, and are there any exclusions I should know about?
- What’s covered and what’s excluded – for example, accidental vs deliberate damage, theft, liability and loss of income?
- Does the insurer understand short-term lets and offer products similar to dedicated insurance for Airbnb UK or short-term rental cover?
- How will claims work if damage happens during a managed stay with Keey, and what evidence will they need from me or from Keey?
If you’re already working with Keey, their team can help you understand which bookings ran through Airbnb and which used other channels, which may be relevant when you speak to insurers.
How Keey supports a safer, more predictable hosting experience
Good insurance for Airbnb UK hosts is only part of the picture – prevention and professional management matter too. Keey’s approach is designed to keep things running smoothly so you’re less likely to need to rely on insurance in the first place.
- On the Why Keey? and About Us pages, Keey explains that it provides a full, turnkey management service aimed at reducing stress for owners and giving guests a high-quality stay.
- Keey’s Pricing page outlines flexible fee structures, so owners can choose a management plan that fits their goals while Keey focuses on maximising occupancy and revenue.
- The FAQ page highlights Airbnb’s host guarantee and the fact that Keey can recommend specialised home insurance – again reinforcing that platform cover and traditional insurance work together.
- New owners can use the Get Started page to request a free estimate and speak with Keey about how their property would be managed in practice.
When you combine professional management like this with carefully chosen insurance for Airbnb UK, you’re better positioned to protect your property, your income and your guests.
Final thoughts
The right insurance for Airbnb UK hosts isn’t just a tick-box exercise – it’s part of building a sustainable, low-stress short-term rental business. Airbnb’s own protections provide an important layer of support, but they don’t replace a proper insurance policy tailored to your situation.
Keey’s role is to handle the operational side of hosting – from listing optimisation and pricing to guest communication, housekeeping and property care – while you work with insurers or advisers on the cover that’s right for you. By pairing strong management with the right insurance for Airbnb UK, you can enjoy the benefits of hosting with much more confidence and peace of mind.
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