I checked my unit and the 65″ TV, the PlayStation 6, and the Dyson vacuum were gone. The guest is ghosting me. I filed a police report for theft, but my insurance adjuster is using the term “Voluntary Parting” and denying the claim, saying I gave the thief the door code.
Key Takeaways
- “Voluntary Parting”: This is the ultimate exclusion. If you give someone the keys/code, and they steal from you, many policies consider it a civil dispute or “breach of trust,” not theft.
- “Mysterious Disappearance”: If you don’t have proof (video or forced entry) that the guest took it, insurers call it “lost property” and deny it.
- AirCover’s Inventory Rule: AirCover requires you to prove ownership (receipts) and value. No receipt = no payout.
- Smart Lock Logs: Your best defense is the smart lock log showing the guest entered and left, correlating with the time the items vanished.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Entrustment.”
Standard policies exclude theft committed by “any person to whom you entrust the property.” By accepting the booking, you entrusted the home to the guest. Therefore, their theft is excluded. You need a policy that specifically deletes the “Entrustment” exclusion or adds “Theft by Tenant” coverage.
The Investigation: I Called Them
- Airbnb AirCover: Generally good for this if you have documentation. I’ve seen them pay out for stolen TVs, but they depreciate the value heavily. They require a police report.
- Proper Insurance: Their policy explicitly covers theft by a guest. They remove the “Voluntary Parting” exclusion for business activities.
- Allstate: The agent confirmed that “Theft by a tenant or roomer” is an exclusion on the standard policy.
Comparison Table: Theft Coverage
| Feature | Airbnb AirCover | Proper Insurance | Standard Homeowner |
| Theft by Guest | YES (Host Damage Protection) | YES | NO (Entrustment Exclusion) |
| Requirement | Police Report + Receipts | Police Report | N/A |
| Cash/Jewelry | Excluded | Limited ( 200−200− 500) | Excluded |
[IMAGE: Screenshot of a police report filing page and a photo of an empty TV wall mount]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Inventory Video: Once a quarter, walk through your house and video every expensive item. Upload it to the cloud. This proves you owned it.
- Bolt It Down: Use security cables for PlayStations and lock mounts for TVs. It prevents “casual” theft.
- Get a Police Report: You cannot file an insurance claim for theft without one. Even if the police won’t investigate, get the report number.
- Check “Entrustment” Coverage: Ask your broker: “Does this policy cover theft by a tenant?”
FAQ
Does AirCover pay for stolen cash?
No. Never leave cash, jewelry, or collectibles in a rental. They are excluded.
What if the guest swaps the TV for a broken one?
This is common. Document the serial number of your electronics. If the serial number doesn’t match, it’s theft/fraud.
Does a Ring Camera inside help?
NO! Never put a camera inside. That is a privacy violation and will get you banned from Airbnb and sued. Use exterior cameras only.