Protecting earnings for hosts when the unexpected occurs

Key Takeaways

• Earnings Protection is an optional paid insurance that covers income loss from unexpected events, based on past earnings
• Available in 45 US states for hosts who have 1 year of experience and 50 booked nights in the past 12 months

Hosting on Airbnb provides a vital source of income for hundreds of thousands of Americans. Last year alone, the typical host in the US earned over $15,500. But when unexpected events—like a winter blizzard, a natural disaster, or a local emergency—force a temporary pause in hosting, the financial impact can be significant.

We’re introducing Earnings Protection, a new insurance plan designed to give US hosts a financial safety net when crises occur. Currently available for purchase in 45 states in the US ¹—with plans to expand to all 50 states in early 2027—Earnings Protection provides a payout as supplemental income when external factors prevent hosts from welcoming guests. Whether it’s a hurricane disrupting a busy season or severe property damage impacting the ability to host, this plan helps hosts avoid bearing the full financial impact of interrupted hosting activity.

This new insurance plan, offered in partnership with MIC Global, was created in direct response to feedback from the host community, and serves as a complementary addition to AirCover for Hosts, Airbnb’s built-in protection program included automatically with every listing.

Every listing and location faces unique challenges. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all coverage, this insurance offers a payout unique to each listing based on past earnings, and is calculated using the listing’s historical average earnings. This structure protects hosts at the level of protection they need, right when they need it most.

“Some of our very best hosts have shared how stressful it can be when something completely out of their control—such as extreme weather conditions—makes it impossible for them to host, and their income is immediately impacted,” said Sui Lin Cheong, Airbnb’s Vice President, AirCover and Insurance Operations. “We partnered with MIC to design this first-of-its-kind product to give our hosts extra peace of mind so they can focus on rebuilding their business and doing what they love: hosting again.”

To qualify for the program, hosts must:

• Have 5 or fewer listings, with over 50 nights reserved on a listing in the past year
• Live in the US, with a listing in any state but Indiana, Maine, Missouri, New Jersey, and New York
• Add ACH (direct deposit) as one of the payout methods, with currency set to USD
• Hosted their first reservation at least one year ago

“For MIC Global, our partnership with Airbnb represents the convergence of our embedded distribution model, global reinsurance capacity, and the kind of parametric innovation that turns insurance from a promise into a real-time financial safety net for the people who depend on it most,” said Jamie Crystal, MIC Global Chief Executive Officer.

Eligible hosts can explore their customized coverage options and see their quote starting today directly within their earnings dashboard.

¹ Available in all states (and Washington, D.C.) except New York, New Jersey, Maine, Missouri, and Indiana, where it will be available early next year.

Earnings Protection insurance is underwritten by nonadmitted insurance carriers and placed through STP Insurance Services LLC (CA license number 6005386), a licensed surplus lines broker. Airbnb Insurance Agency LLC, (CA license number 6001912, NY license number 1614472), which is licensed as an insurance agency in all states of the US and the District of Columbia, acts as the distributor of this insurance. This coverage is not protected by any state insurance guarantee fund. All insurance is subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions outlined in the policy. Premiums may vary by location, are subject to change, and not all coverages are available in every state.