Renting on the Guadalupe? STR Liability for Hill Country Hosts

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Guadalupe and Comal rivers draw crowds — and the short-term rentals around Gruene, Canyon Lake, and New Braunfels stay booked solid. If you host one of them, peak season is also peak risk. Here’s what every river-country host should know.

Your homeowners policy probably won’t cover it

The moment you rent short-term, a standard homeowners policy may treat it as a business use and deny a guest-related claim — an injury on a wet deck, a guest’s stolen valuables, damage to your furnishings, or a fire that wipes out your bookings. That’s exactly the gap short-term rental insurance closes.

Summer crowds raise your liability

More guests, river access, decks, hot tubs, and alcohol all add up to more chances for someone to get hurt. Proper STR coverage includes business-grade liability for guest injuries — not the limited, secondary protection that platform programs like AirCover provide.

Don’t forget loss of rental income

A covered loss in the middle of tubing season doesn’t just mean repairs — it means lost bookings during your most profitable weeks. STR coverage can include loss of rental income so a bad break doesn’t cost you the whole season.

Flood is its own conversation

Riverfront property and flood risk go hand in hand, and no rental or home policy covers flood. If your place is near the water, ask about a separate flood policy — there’s typically a 30-day waiting period, so put it in place before the rains, not during.

We host-proof your rental

We write proper short-term rental coverage for hosts across the Hill Country — Gruene, Canyon Lake, New Braunfels, and beyond. Get a quote or call 830-387-4032 before your next booking.