When you rent your home, accidents can happen — a lamp gets broken, linens are stained, or a guest’s pet causes damage. These incidents are typically not covered by standard homeowner’s insurance. That’s why Blue Heron Property Management partners with Fairly and Arrk.io to provide built-in, affordable protection for vacation rental homeowners.
Damage Protection Powered by Arrk
Fairly makes damage protection simple by working with Arrk.io to offer an optional guest-paid damage insurance program. This program adds a small nightly fee to guest reservations to fund coverage — giving owners peace of mind and faster reimbursements for covered damage.
If you opt in, guests pay $5 per occupied night for insurance coverage. This cost is automatically added to every reservation, and Fairly handles all payments directly with Arrk. There is no cost to the homeowner.
Each reservation includes coverage for:
- $15,000 for guest damage
- $10,000 for bed bug remediation
- $5,000 for pet damage
- $3,500 for loss of use
No deductible. Minimum claim amount: $50.
Unlike Airbnb’s program, Arrk allows you to file claims directly — no need to negotiate with guests or wait on platform support. You’ll have up to 30 days after checkout to file a claim, and payouts are made directly to the homeowner once documentation is received.
How Arrk Coverage Works
- Opt In or Out Anytime: Select damage coverage during onboarding in your Fairly Listing tab, or adjust later under Listing → Access and Policies → Coverage Options.
- Coverage Per Booking: Arrk issues a policy for each reservation automatically at booking. Coverage begins at check-in and adjusts if the stay changes.
- Easy Claims: File directly through Fairly by clicking “Use Coverage” on your reservation panel. Arrk handles the process, payment, and guest coordination if needed.
- Claim Timeline: Must be submitted within 30 days of guest checkout. You can initiate a claim before replacement items are purchased; however, underwriting begins once receipts are submitted.
- Guest Involvement: Only required in cases of theft.
- Payouts: Reimbursements are paid directly to the homeowner by Arrk.
Key Details
- If you opt in after existing reservations are booked, Fairly adds insurance coverage to those stays and deducts the cost from guest rent.
- If you opt out later, coverage will be removed, and funds added back to guest rent for future stays.
- Only homeowners and owner collaborators can manage damage coverage preferences.
- This program covers damage only. For liability protection (e.g., injuries), contact Blue Herron for additional insurance resources.
Without Arrk Coverage
- Airbnb: You can file a claim through Airbnb’s AirCover program with assistance from Fairly Support.
- Vrbo: Does not provide host damage protection. You will need to address damages directly with the guest or obtain separate coverage.
Airbnb Damage Protection (AirCover)
Airbnb’s AirCover for Hosts offers up to $3 million in damage protection for Airbnb bookings. Coverage includes:
- Home and personal property damage
- Damage to art or valuables
- Damage from pets
- Reimbursement for deep cleaning (smoke, stains, odor)
- Lost income if cancellations occur due to guest damage
Exclusions: normal wear and tear, acts of nature, theft, lost currency, or routine cleaning.
Airbnb Claim Process
Before submitting a claim, try resolving the issue directly with your guest. If a claim is needed, contact support@fairly.com within 10 days of checkout. Include:
- A message to the guest (for Airbnb submission)
- Description and photos of the damage
- Repair/replacement cost and supporting documentation
- Item age and date of damage or theft
Fairly will confirm receipt and submit the claim on your behalf within Airbnb’s 14-day window.
Vrbo Damage Protection
Vrbo currently offers no built-in host damage protection. You may choose your own damage insurance provider or assume the risk of self-insuring against damages.
Optional Additional Coverage
If you’d like to supplement your damage protection insurance, Fairly advisors or Blue Herron’s management team can help explore additional coverage options for your property and belongings.