Your Homeowners Policy Probably Doesn't Cover Your Rental Guests — We Can Fix That

Modern hotel room with a large bed, sofa, and city view window.

If you're renting your property on Airbnb or VRBO — even occasionally — your standard homeowners policy may leave you exposed the moment a guest walks through the door. We place vacation rental insurance in Texas that's built for how you actually use the property.

Why Standard Homeowners Coverage Falls Short for Rental Properties

Most homeowners policies are written for owner-occupied residences. The moment you rent your property to a paying guest, even once, you've introduced a commercial activity that many standard policies explicitly exclude. That means a guest injury, a theft, or property damage during a rental stay could result in a denied claim — regardless of how long you've held the policy or how faithfully you've paid your premiums. Short-term rental insurance closes that gap with coverage designed for the rental relationship, not just the property itself.

What Does Life Insurance Cover?

Life insurance is more than a payout—it’s a plan that ensures your family’s future stays on track, even if you’re no longer there to lead it. From mortgage protection to legacy planning, the right policy offers financial security and peace of mind.

Two children smiling in a car, one in front playfully posing with a hand near their face.

Types of Life Insurance We Offer:

Term Life Insurance

Affordable, time-limited protection designed to cover your family during key years—like raising children or paying off your home.

Whole Life Insurance

Lifelong coverage that builds cash value over time. A great option for estate planning, final expense coverage, or long-term savings.

Universal Life Insurance

Flexible protection that combines lifelong coverage with adjustable premiums and a savings component.

Final Expense Insurance

A simple, affordable way to ensure funeral costs and other end-of-life expenses are covered—so your family isn’t left with unexpected bills.

Black shield with a white checkmark icon

Renting Your Primary Home Occasionally

If you list your primary residence on Airbnb or VRBO a few weekends a year, your standard homeowners policy likely doesn't account for that activity. A dedicated short-term rental endorsement or standalone policy covers liability and property damage during those rental periods — without requiring you to restructure your existing home coverage.

Black shield icon with white check mark inside

Dedicated Investment Rental Properties

A vacation home near Palo Duro Canyon or a lake cabin you rent out between personal stays sits in its own coverage category. You need a policy that covers both your personal use and the rental periods — and that accounts for the property sitting vacant between them. We'll review how you use the property and match the coverage accordingly.

Black shield icon with a white check mark

Dedicated Investment Rental Properties

A property you own solely as a rental requires a different coverage structure than a personal residence. Landlord or dwelling fire policies cover the building, loss of rental income, and liability exposure from tenants and guests — coverage a standard homeowners policy was never designed to provide.

Black shield icon with a white checkmark, symbolizing security or approval

Second Homes Rented Part-Time

A vacation home near Palo Duro Canyon or a lake cabin you rent out between personal stays sits in its own coverage category. You need a policy that covers both your personal use and the rental periods — and that accounts for the property sitting vacant between them. We'll review how you use the property and match the coverage accordingly.

Black shield icon with a white checkmark on a white background

What Platform Coverage Actually Provides

Airbnb's AirCover and VRBO's similar programs offer some protection, but that coverage is conditional, limited in scope, and controlled by the platform — not by you. It may not respond the way you expect when a real claim occurs. A standalone vacation rental policy gives you consistent, independent protection that doesn't depend on a platform's terms of service.

Coverage That Matches How You Use the Property

Vacation rental insurance isn't one-size-fits-all, and we don't treat it that way. We review your rental frequency, occupancy model, and property type before recommending a structure. Depending on your situation, your policy may include:

 

  • Dwelling coverage for the structure itself, including damage caused by guests
  • Liability protection if a guest is injured on the property
  • Loss of rental income if a covered event makes the property temporarily unavailable
  • Contents coverage for furnishings and personal property left on-site
  • Vacancy coverage for periods between rental stays
  • Coverage for properties listed on Airbnb, VRBO, Hipcamp, or similar platforms

Carriers We Work With for Vacation Rental Properties

As an independent agency, we're not limited to a single carrier's products. We work with Germania, Foremost, and other specialty markets to find coverage that fits your property type, rental frequency, and budget. That flexibility matters when you're dealing with a non-standard property, a high-value second home, or a rental operation that doesn't fit neatly into a standard landlord policy.

Does Your Current Policy Know You Rent?

If your insurer doesn't know you're renting your property, they almost certainly won't cover you when a guest incident occurs. That's not a technicality — it's how the policy was written. Before your next rental stay, it's worth a conversation with someone who can review what you actually have and tell you plainly where you stand. We do that review at no cost, and we'll give you a straight answer.

Serving Vacation Rental Property Owners Across Texas

We write vacation rental and short-term rental policies throughout Texas, with deep roots in the Amarillo area and the broader Texas Panhandle. Whether your rental property is in Amarillo, a canyon community near Palo Duro, or elsewhere across the state, we can place coverage that fits. Our team picks up the phone — no automated systems, no waiting on hold.

50 Years of Independent Insurance in Amarillo

Herring Agency has been placing insurance for Texas property owners since 1975. We're a third-generation, independent agency representing more than 20 carriers, which means we shop the market on your behalf and place coverage based on your situation — not on what's easiest for us. Our clients stay because we handle claims the right way and give them real answers when they call.

Vacation Rental Insurance — Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does regular homeowners insurance cover a vacation rental?

    In most cases, no. Standard homeowners policies are written for owner-occupied residences and typically exclude short-term rental activity. If a guest is injured or causes damage during a rental stay, a claim under a standard policy may be denied. A dedicated vacation rental or landlord policy is designed to cover those situations.

  • Do I need separate insurance if I only rent my home a few times a year?

    Yes — even occasional rentals can trigger a coverage exclusion under a standard homeowners policy. The frequency of rental doesn't change the nature of the activity. A short-term rental endorsement or standalone policy covers those gaps without disrupting your primary home coverage.

  • What does Airbnb's AirCover actually cover?

    AirCover provides some liability and property damage protection, but it's conditional on platform terms, limited in scope, and not a substitute for a real insurance policy. It doesn't respond to every situation, and its terms can change. A standalone vacation rental policy gives you coverage that's independent of the platform and consistent regardless of how a booking was made.

  • Can I get vacation rental insurance for a second home I rent part of the year?

    Yes. A second home that's rented part-time has specific coverage needs that differ from both a primary residence and a dedicated rental property. We'll review how you use the property — personal stays, rental periods, and vacancy time — and structure a policy that covers all three scenarios.

  • Do you write vacation rental insurance outside of Amarillo?

    Yes. We write short-term rental and vacation rental policies throughout Texas. Whether your property is in the Panhandle, near a lake, or in another part of the state, we can place coverage through our carrier network.

Let's Make Sure Your Rental Property Is Actually Covered

If you're renting a property in Texas — even part-time — it's worth a conversation before a guest incident reveals a gap in your coverage. We'll review what you have, tell you where you stand, and put the right policy in place. Call us at 806-355-6596 or request a quote online.