Guides for hosts

When AirCover won't pay: reasons and what you can do

Why Airbnb denies claims and how to back up your next one better.

BildProof RedaktionUpdated 9/28/20262 min read
In short

Most claims fail on the evidence, not on the cover. Read the reason for the refusal carefully and, from now on, record the condition before every stay.

Why does Airbnb deny claims?

The reasons repeat. Most of them can be avoided in advance.

  1. 1

    No before record

    A photo after checkout does not show when the damage happened.

  2. 2

    Normal wear

    AirCover does not cover light scratches or faded paint.

  3. 3

    Missed deadline

    The request to the guest must be made within 14 days of checkout.

  4. 4

    Thin evidence

    Receipts, repair estimates or proof of ownership are missing.

  5. 5

    Edited photos

    Evidence must not be doctored, including by AI.

  6. 6

    Lack of care

    If the loss resulted from a failure to take reasonable care, Airbnb may deny the request.

Which rules apply

Under Airbnb's Host Damage Protection Terms (version of 1 August 2026), Airbnb may deny a request if the evidence cannot be verified or the loss resulted from a failure to take reasonable care. Normal wear is excluded, and the request to the guest must be made within 14 days of checkout.

General information, not legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

Why did Airbnb deny my AirCover claim?

Mostly because you cannot prove the damage is new. Thin evidence, normal wear and a missed deadline are also named often.

Are photos I take after checkout enough on their own?

Not by themselves. A photo after checkout shows that damage is there, but not when it happened.

Can Airbnb deny a claim for lack of care?

Yes. Hosts must take reasonable care to avoid losses, and Airbnb may deny a request where the loss resulted from a failure to do so. Repeat requests of the same type for the same listing can be a sign of that.

More on this

GuideAirbnb claim rejected: how to build the appealGuideHow to File an AirCover Damage Claim: Step by Step

Also in this topic: Reporting damage on Booking.com: deadline, process and maximumGuest Damage on Booking.com and Vrbo Without AirCoverBurn holes and cracked ceramic hobs: what the guest paysHost liability: when a guest is injured

Next guest arriving soon?

Scan your place before check-in and after check-out. Then your next claim rests on a comparison of before and after.

See BildProof for hosts