Nicole Marcus
The Essential Guide to Airbnb, Short-Term Rental, and Vacation Home Insurance in Florida
Florida has always been a magnet for travelers. With year-round sunshine, world-famous beaches, and a booming tourism economy, it’s no surprise that thousands of property owners across the state have turned to Airbnb, VRBO, and short-term rentals as reliable income streams. Yet one of the most common oversights we see at The Marcus Group is property owners assuming that their standard homeowners insurance will protect them once they begin hosting guests.
The moment a home becomes a rental—even for just a weekend—everything changes. A property that is perfectly insured for personal use may be dangerously underinsured for guest use. At The Marcus Group, we’ve spent decades helping Florida homeowners understand this distinction so they can protect their properties and income with confidence.
Whether you own a beach condo in Palm Beach, a waterfront home in Fort Lauderdale, or a quiet vacation retreat in Broward County, understanding the unique insurance needs of short-term rentals is essential to long-term success.
Why Regular Homeowners Insurance Falls Short
Many Airbnb and VRBO hosts don’t realize that traditional homeowners policies often exclude business activity. When you invite paying guests to occupy your property, insurers classify the home differently—and that difference matters during a claim.
We’ve seen countless situations at The Marcus Group where property owners believed their homeowners insurance would cover guest-related issues, only to discover that damage, injuries, or liability incidents were excluded because the home was being used as a business.
Florida’s insurance landscape is already complicated, especially in coastal counties like Broward and Palm Beach. Once you add short-term rental activity into the mix, a specialized rental policy becomes not just helpful, but essential.
Short-Term Rental Policies Designed for Florida Hosts
At The Marcus Group, we work with property owners across Florida to secure protection built specifically for:
• Guest-caused damage
• Liability for injuries during a stay
• Hurricane and storm-related losses
• Loss of rental income after a covered claim
• Vandalism or theft
• Property damage between guest turnovers
Instead of simply covering the building itself, these policies protect the business activity happening inside it. And that’s the real difference. Florida hosts need coverage that reflects actual usage—not assumptions.
South Florida’s popularity adds another layer of exposure. Properties along the coast experience more turnover, more wear, more pool usage, and more opportunities for guest-related incidents. With decades of experience, The Marcus Group helps owners secure coverage that considers real-world risk, not generic national assumptions.
The South Florida Risk Landscape: What Airbnb Hosts Must Know
Broward and Palm Beach counties attract millions of visitors each year. The constant flow of tourists, short-term guests, and seasonal renters increases both your revenue potential and your liability exposure.
Because The Marcus Group is based right here in Florida, we understand:
• Which neighborhoods have high claim frequency
• How underwriters evaluate coastal homes
• Which carriers specialize in short-term rental risks
• How flood zones impact eligibility
• What rental owners actually experience during storms
This local knowledge allows us to guide hosts toward the most reliable carriers and strongest protections, especially in coastal zones where hurricanes and heavy rains are part of life.
The Importance of Flood Insurance for Vacation Rentals
One of the biggest misconceptions we correct at The Marcus Group is the assumption that homeowners or rental insurance includes flood coverage. In Florida, it does not.
Flood insurance must be purchased separately—either through the NFIP or private carriers.
Even if your property has never flooded, rising water levels, king tides, and storm surge patterns make flood insurance essential for homes in Broward and Palm Beach counties. One storm can cost tens of thousands in repairs and months of lost rental income. Flood coverage ensures your investment can bounce back quickly.
Protecting Your Rental Income
For many hosts, rental income isn’t just extra money—it covers mortgages, taxes, and future improvements. When a property is damaged, every canceled booking becomes a financial hit.
At The Marcus Group, we help owners secure loss-of-rental-income protection so that if a storm, fire, or major guest incident forces you to stop hosting temporarily, you aren’t left without income. This coverage is one of the most overlooked yet crucial protections for any Florida Airbnb or vacation rental.
Why South Florida Trusts The Marcus Group
Since 1999, The Marcus Group has helped Florida families and property owners protect what matters most. As a third-generation, family-run agency, we pair statewide resources with the personal touch South Florida clients appreciate. When something goes wrong, you’re not dealing with long hold times or call centers—you’re speaking with local experts who understand your situation.
Florida’s insurance market changes constantly, especially for coastal homes. We stay ahead of those changes so our clients are never caught off-guard by exclusions, underwriting updates, or new coverage requirements.
Final Thoughts: Protect Your Property, Your Income & Your Peace of Mind
Owning a vacation rental in Florida can be incredibly rewarding—but only when the property is protected correctly. With the right policy, you can rent confidently knowing that guests, storms, and unexpected incidents won’t jeopardize your investment.
The Marcus Group is proud to be the trusted insurance partner for Airbnb hosts and vacation homeowners across Broward County, Palm Beach County, and the entire state of Florida.
If you’re ready to safeguard your rental property with coverage designed for Florida’s unique risks, we’re here to help every step of the way.
Request a quote from The Marcus Group today and discover why so many Florida hosts trust us with their protection.