Fort Lauderdale Airbnb Injury Attorney
The short-term vacation rental market in Florida has exploded in recent years thanks to online services like Airbnb. Anyone looking for an alternative to a traditional hotel or timeshare can simply go to their smartphone and book a private rental property in minutes. And for the most part, the experience will prove to be a good one for the guests and renter alike.
But what happens if something goes wrong? What if you are injured in an accident while staying at an Airbnb property? Is the property owner legally responsible for compensating you? Is Airbnb? If you need help answering these and other questions, the experienced Fort Lauderdale Airbnb injury attorney at Boone & Davis are here to help.
Will Insurance Cover Your Damages While Staying at an Airbnb?
Airbnb properties and other short-term vacation rentals are subject to the same rules of premises liability as any other Florida property open to the public. This means a couple of things. First, the owner is legally responsible for ensuring the premises are kept in a reasonably safe condition for visitors. Second, an injured guest–or anyone else lawfully permitted to be on the property–can sue for financial damages if they are injured due to a dangerous condition on the property.
Most accidental injuries at an Airbnb are the result of improper maintenance of the property. Some common examples of hazards that can lead to Airbnb accidents include:
- lack of proper lighting in stairwells;
- missing or malfunctioning smoke detectors;
- loose rugs and carpets;
- faulty electrical wiring;
- lack of proper ventilation; and
- latent defects in the property such as asbestos or bad drywall.
Normally, if you are injured in someone else’s home, their homeowners’ insurance would cover your damages. But many homeowners’ policies exclude properties used as an Airbnb or other form of short-term vacation rental. Airbnb itself steps into this gap and provides up to $1 million in “host liability insurance” for property owners who rent through their service.
According to Airbnb, this host liability insurance will cover bodily injury to a guest or others up to $1 million. But there are exceptions and exclusions. For example, Airbnb will not pay for any injuries resulting from an intentional act. This means that if you are physically and/or sexually assaulted while staying at an Airbnb, the company’s insurance will not cover your damages. The property owner, however, remains liable. And as with any insurance policy, just because Airbnb says it will cover any accidental injuries, that does not mean their insurance company will not put up a serious fight first.
Contact Boone & Davis Today
If you have been injured while staying at an Airbnb, the first thing you should do is seek immediate medical attention. You should also gather any appropriate evidence, such as taking pictures of the dangerous condition that caused your accident. You can also file a claim with Airbnb, but you should never speak directly to a property adjuster or the property owner without first consulting with an attorney.
And if you do need to speak with a qualified Fort Lauderdale Airbnb accident attorney, contact the offices of Boone & Davis today to schedule a free consultation.
