Stays and rentals
What happens if your dog damages an Airbnb?
You are liable. If your dog damages the property, the host can claim against your payment method through Airbnb's Resolution Centre, and Airbnb generally sides with documented claims. Minor wear is rarely pursued. A chewed skirting board or a soiled mattress will be. AirCover protects hosts for up to $3 million. If you have pet insurance, check whether it covers rental accommodation damage.
How Airbnb handles damage claims
The host has 14 days from your checkout to submit a claim through the Airbnb Resolution Centre, or before the next guest checks in, whichever comes first. They must provide documentation: photographs, receipts, or estimates. Airbnb's Trust and Safety team reviews the claim and decides whether to pursue payment. If the agreed charge cannot be collected from your original payment method, Airbnb may use AirCover to cover the host. You are then pursued separately by Airbnb for reimbursement.
What usually gets claimed
Hosts pursue claims for damage that is clear, documented and disproportionate to normal wear. A dog scratch on a skirting board that has existing wear will not get far. A chewed sofa leg with photographic evidence of the damage against photographic evidence of the property's pre-arrival condition is a straightforward claim. Staining to bedding, carpets or upholstery, damage to blinds or curtains from a dog jumping, and odour remediation are the most common pet damage claims.
Does pet insurance cover it?
Many pet insurance policies include third-party liability cover, which pays out when your dog causes damage or injury to someone else's property. Check the policy wording carefully. Some policies specifically cover rental accommodation; others exclude it. The exclusion is sometimes buried in the fine print. If your policy includes third-party liability, call the insurer before your trip and confirm that a self-catering rental is within scope.
How to protect yourself
Take photographs of the property when you arrive, including any existing damage or wear, and send them to the host via the Airbnb message thread so the timestamps are recorded. This protects you against claims for damage that predates your stay. Report any damage your dog causes to the host before checkout rather than leaving them to discover it. Hosts respond much better to guests who are honest than to those who say nothing and hope it goes unnoticed.