I was halfway up the trail when a guest tripped on a root, tumbled ten feet, and snapped her ankle, requiring a helicopter evac that cost $28,000. I thought my standard “Airbnb Experience” liability cover would handle it, but the adjuster is now claiming that because I provided transportation to the trailhead in my personal SUV, the entire claim is void under the “Auto Exclusion.” I am looking at a total liability of over $65,000, and my personal auto insurer has already sent a cancellation letter.
Key Takeaways
- The “Experience” Gap: Airbnb Experiences provides liability coverage ($1M), but it has strict exclusions for boating, flying, and specifically, automotive transportation.
- Transportation is the Killer: If you drive guests in your personal car, standard Airbnb coverage vanishes for that portion of the trip. You need commercial auto insurance.
- Waivers Are Not Bulletproof: A signed waiver helps, but it does not stop a guest from suing for “gross negligence” (e.g., you took them on a trail too hard for their fitness level).
- Tour Operator Insurance: Standard home/host policies do not cover off-site activities. You are acting as a tour guide, which requires a specialized commercial policy.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is the “Off-Premises & Commercial Auto” Exclusion.
Your Home or Host policy covers the house. It does not cover you acting as a guide three miles away. While Airbnb’s specialized “Experience Protection Insurance” covers the activity itself, it often excludes the transit to the activity. If you drive them, you are a taxi. If you don’t have a “For-Hire” endorsement or commercial auto policy, your personal car insurer will deny the claim because you were “transporting passengers for a fee.”
The Investigation: I Called Them
- Airbnb Experience Protection: I reviewed the 2026 policy docs. It covers the hike itself (slip and fall on the trail). But when I asked, “What if we crash on the way there?” the answer was clear: No coverage. You are on your own for the drive.
- Veracity (Specialty Tour Insurance): I called a broker specializing in adventure tourism. They quoted a policy that covers “Contingent Auto Liability” and the hiking activity. It’s expensive ($1,500/year min), but it closes the gap.
- Geico (Personal Auto): I asked, “Can I drive tourists for my Airbnb Experience?” They said absolutely not without a commercial policy. If I did it secretly and crashed, they would deny the claim and sue me for fraud.
Comparison Table: Experience Liability
| Feature | Airbnb Experience Protection | Commercial Tour Operator Policy | Personal Auto Policy |
| Activity Coverage | YES (Hiking, Cooking) | YES (Broad) | NO |
| Transportation (Driving) | Excluded | YES (Non-owned/Hired Auto) | Excluded (For hire) |
| Emergency Evacuation | YES (Medical costs) | YES (Search & Rescue) | NO |
| Gear/Equipment | NO | YES (Inland Marine) | Varies |
[IMAGE: Photo of a ‘Release of Liability’ waiver on a clipboard with a blurred hiking trail in the background]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Stop Driving Guests: Meet them at the trailhead. Make them use Uber or their own cars. This eliminates the #1 liability risk.
- Buy “Commercial Auto” if you must drive: If driving is essential, buy a commercial auto policy. Do not rely on “Rideshare” endorsements; they are for Uber/Lyft apps, not private tours.
- Get a “Tour Operator” Policy: If you earn over $10k/year doing this, buy a standalone policy from a carrier like CBIZ or Veracity.
- Audit Your First Aid: Carry a sat-phone or Garmin inReach if you go out of cell range. “Negligence” claims often hinge on “failure to call for help quickly.”
FAQ
Does my umbrella policy cover the tour?
No. Umbrella policies require a valid underlying policy. Since your home and auto policies exclude business tours, the umbrella has nothing to stand on.
What if I just do a “Photo Walk”?
Lower risk, but the same rules apply. If you bump a pedestrian while guiding the group, you are liable.
Are food tours covered?
Yes, usually under Airbnb’s policy for “food poisoning,” but check the alcohol exclusions if you are doing wine tasting.