Airbnb announced rain insurance on October 8th, giving eligible guests the option to buy coverage that pays when rainfall reaches their policy’s threshold during a stay.
Eligibility depends on where the guest lives, as well as where they’re traveling. Residents of Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden can purchase coverage for eligible domestic and international trips. Trips to the U.S. and certain restricted territories are excluded, so the launch does not extend to U.S. properties hosting European travelers.
How Rain Payments Work
The product uses parametric insurance, meaning a measurable rainfall threshold triggers a fixed payment rather than reimbursement based on documented losses.
According to Airbnb’s coverage overview, rain must reach at least 1.5 mm in an hour between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. local time, for the minimum number of hours specified in the guest’s Certificate of Insurance. Payments range from €50 to €1,000 per qualifying day, with the exact amount stated in the certificate.
Chubb’s weather service provider verifies rainfall using meteorological data. Guests do not submit a traditional claim, but the first payment requires bank details and may require identity verification.
The coverage terms limit protection to rain at the booked property. Rain elsewhere during a day trip does not qualify. Other weather events, including snow and wind, are excluded, as are stays booked for 30 days or longer.
Guests can buy coverage at checkout or after booking, provided they are at least seven days from check-in.
Vrbo Already Offers Rain Protection
The launch follows Vrbo’s partnership with WeatherPromise, which we covered in February. Both products use measured rainfall to trigger guest payments without a traditional claim, but their coverage terms differ.
Rain Payments and Cancellation Refunds
THR’s coverage of Airbnb’s cancellation-policy changes and its Extended Cancellation Option has focused on refunds when reservations fall through.
This product doesn’t preserve host income or assume that guests will make fewer refund requests.
Rain insurance only addresses qualifying rain while a reservation remains active. Cancelling before arrival cancels the insurance and refunds its premium, rather than paying for the cancelled accommodation. Cancelling after arrival ends future coverage, although rain payments already triggered remain payable.
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