AB5, Airbnb, and Its Impact on Premises Liability

What Does AB5 Mean for Airbnb Liability Cases?

Since its conception in 2008, popular home-sharing services such as Airbnb have rapidly built a community of over 6 million listings and 2 million users worldwide. Whether just earning extra cash or solely relying on that income, plenty of renters have taken financial advantage of this clever home-share system. 

However, with the introduction of California’s AB5 regulation, the “gig economy” has been changed forever. If you’ve been injured in an Airbnb and are confused about liability, our knowledgeable Los Angeles premises liability attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers are available 24/7 to offer legal assistance.

If you would like to ask any questions in regards to your premises liability case or to schedule a free consultation at our Los Angeles personal injury law firm, please contact us by calling 213-927-3700 or filling out our quick contact form.

Are Airbnb Renters Independent Contractors?

When you earn income from Airbnb you are required to file a1099. There are a number of different types of 1099 forms that vary based on your earnings, but all are ultimately used to report to the IRS your extra income or income received outside of your employment. 

As a result, the Airbnb renter is considered an independent contractor. California’s AB5 has completely changed the game by considering all “gig employees” or “independent contractors” as employees under the law. The changes have already started to affect the way Uber and Lyft drivers are treated.

With the developments of AB5, the following alterations will be made:

• Minimum wage protection 
• Paid sick days 
• Paid overtime 
• Healthcare 
• Vacation days
• Compliance with California paycheck rules
• California unemployment insurance
• Workers compensation insurance 
• California Paid Family Leave 
• Short-term disability benefits

Airbnb Injuries 

An Airbnb guest can incur a plethora of physical and mental injuries, as well as property damage. Bodily injuries include slip and fall accidents, cuts and bruises, injuries to the face, or disease and dangerous bacteria or chemicals. Mental damages can include sexual assault or harassment, while property damages affect your property. 

Airbnb’s terms of service explicitly mention that they are not responsible for many of the incidents that may occur within your home. This disclaimer also accounts for the requirements a host’s home must meet before they can rent out their space. Airbnb does assume some responsibilities and offers a liability coverage policy for up to $1 million, but suggests that you have your own home insurance in place.  

Airbnb Protections and Insurance 

Airbnb has two fields of protection, which include:

• Host Guarantee. This protocol is put in place when a guest damages a host’s unit or possessions. 
• Host Protection Insurance. This type of insurance is made to cover the hosts in case of a third party accident, such as a bodily injury or property damage during an Airbnb stay.   

Airbnb Health Insurance   

As the gig economy is still up in the air, it is likely that Airbnb will have no choice but to reconfigure its payment structure. Like Uber and Lyft drivers, under AB5, hosts are expected to receive some type of health insurance. In the upcoming months, the worldwide hosting megacorp is predicted to completely change its policy regarding protections to and for the hosts.        

Commercial General Liability Insurance 

Commercial general liability (CGL) is a form of an insurance policy that offers coverage to a business for bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage. CGL is identified as a comprehensive business insurance. However, it does not cover all of the risks an organization could face. 

Neither Airbnb nor your personal home insurance will cover all of your expenses. However, with the introduction of AB5, a host will be considered an employee and Airbnb may be held liable for the actions of their employees. 

Contact Us to Find Out How We Can Help

If you have sustained injuries as a result of a premises liability accident, our skilled premises liability attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers can help you recover financial compensation for the losses you have suffered, including medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. 

Contact us today by calling 213-927-3700 or filling out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with our experienced, caring, and compassionate legal team.