How Owners Benefit from Damage Protection

Gone are the days of managing damage deposits. Over the past few years the majority of vacation rental companies have moved away from damage deposits and have implemented a damage protection plan to protect guests and owners from accidental damage. For a small fee, typically paid by the guest, owners have financial protection at much higher levels.

The benefits are many:

1. Damage Protection eliminates the need to collect a deposit, place it in escrow, inspect the property following the stay, write a check and mail it. This process is a time waster.
2. $500 is a popular damage deposit amount. With protection at $1,500 or $3,000, you have much higher levels of protection in place. Rug replacement due to a wine spill or a broken cooktop runs more than $500.
3. Eliminates credit card charge backs for lodging providers who mistakenly think a credit card on file will protect against damage. The credit card companies almost always side with their customer (card holder) when a dispute arises. That means the owner is stuck for the cost of repairs.
4. Vacations are expensive and when you ask your guest to come out of pocket for hundreds more, it can make the difference between a booking or the need to look elsewhere. 
5. A properly implemented damage program will result in guests calling you to report damage rather than leaving it to be discovered.  Often a repair can be made while the guest is there meaning the next guest will not be inconvenienced by something left undone.
6. Often overlooked is the retention of the relationship with your guest.  Homeowners want happy guests who will return again for another stay.  When the discussion turns to how much its going to cost to pay for damages, the relationship can go south!

Make damage protection part of every reservation and you will have peace of mind knowing that you are protected and your guests will be happy.  

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