Host Safety & Insurance Guide

Before accepting a booking

Confirm that the proposed activity is suitable for your property. Ask the guest about:

• The type of event or production, schedule, setup and cleanup time.
• The expected number of attendees or crew, including any children and supervision arrangements.
• Alcohol service, catering and other vendors.
• Equipment, vehicles, parking and load-in needs.
• Amplified sound, animals, special effects and unusual activities.
• Security needs and who will supervise the activity.

Explain occupancy limits, permitted activities, restricted areas and house rules. Determine applicable permits, licenses, zoning restrictions, owner or landlord approvals, alcohol rules and other requirements. A booking request does not establish that the activity is permitted.

Confirm insurance requirements and important agreements through VenueMagnet messages before accepting. Ask the guest to discuss material changes with you before proceeding.

Insurance

Review your own insurance with a licensed insurance professional before hosting paid events or productions. Homeowners, renters, commercial and other policies may exclude or limit coverage for short-term venue rentals or commercial activities. Explain your planned use and ask about liability, property protection, exclusions, limits and any additional coverage.

You may require a guest to provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before the booking begins. Depending on your insurance professional's recommendations, you may also require Additional Insured status for yourself, the property owner, property manager or other appropriate parties. State these requirements in your listing rules and confirm them with the guest before accepting.

A COI provides insurance information; it does not create or change coverage. Additional Insured coverage depends on the policy and applicable endorsements. Neither guarantees coverage for a particular claim. Confirm required documentation and coverage with your insurance professional.

VenueMagnet does not provide or verify insurance, determine whether a policy is adequate, or set a universal minimum coverage limit. Read the insurance FAQs for more information.

Before arrival

• Secure valuables and lock or clearly identify private and restricted areas.
• Identify and disclose known hazards, including pools, water features, animals, stairs and equipment. Address hazards before allowing the activity to proceed.
• Check that emergency exits are accessible and unobstructed, and address applicable fire protection and safety requirements.
• Photograph or video the property's condition before guests arrive.
• Confirm the activity, attendance, vendors, equipment, alcohol arrangements and required insurance documentation.
• Review access instructions, occupancy limits, house rules, cleanup expectations and overtime terms.
• Exchange emergency contacts and identify who will be responsible for the group during the booking.

During the booking

You may remain onsite when appropriate and consistent with the arrangement agreed with the guest. Make any onsite presence or access expectations clear before the booking.

• Monitor compliance with the agreed activity, attendance limits and venue rules.
• Address hazards promptly. If an activity appears unsafe, ask for it to stop and take appropriate steps to protect people.
• Keep communication open with the guest's designated contact and document material changes or concerns.
• For emergencies or immediate threats to safety, contact emergency services first. VenueMagnet support is not an emergency response service.

After the booking

• Walk through the property and compare its condition with your pre-arrival records.
• Document any damage promptly with photographs or video, noting when and where it was found.
• Communicate with the guest through VenueMagnet messages and preserve relevant messages, agreements, receipts and other records.
• Contact applicable insurance carriers directly when necessary and follow their reporting requirements.

Hosts and guests are responsible for addressing damage between themselves and with their insurance providers when applicable. VenueMagnet support may assist with platform records and communications but does not provide property-damage insurance, determine liability or administer insurance claims.

See the property-damage FAQ and Terms of Service for more information.