Renting a place on HousingAnywhere? Damage Protection is an insurance that helps with approved repair or replacement costs if you accidentally damage the property or furnishings during your stay.
Damage Protection is now automatically included at no extra cost with all eligible bookings in Madrid. So if you accidentally damage something during your stay, you have extra cover for eligible repair costs, based on the insurance coverage. If you’re renting without a deposit, this cover can apply from the first euro. If you’ve paid a deposit, it can apply to eligible costs above your deposit.
For bookings in France, Munich, or Barcelona, Damage Protection is included as part of Rent Guarantee.
In this article:
What is Damage Protection?
Damage Protection is an insurance we include with all eligible bookings on HousingAnywhere. It limits how much you have to pay if you accidentally damage your place or the furniture.
Renting with a security deposit
If you rent a place and pay a security deposit, then you’re only responsible for the repair or replacement costs up to the amount of your deposit. If accidental damage costs more than your deposit, this protection covers the extra cost.
So while you’re still responsible for looking after your new place and its furniture, this protection caps your costs if an accident happens.
Example
Let’s say your rent and deposit are €1,000 each. You accidentally damaged the sofa during your stay, and the cost of replacement is €1,500.
Deposit: €1,000
Repair cost: €1,500
Your risk: €1,000 (the deposit amount)
Insurer coverage: €500 (excess of the deposit, which is €1,500-€1,000)
Renting with no security deposit
If you rent a place with no deposit required, Damage Protection covers the full cost of accidental damage. You don’t have to pay anything.
Damage Protection is automatically added at no cost if your booking is eligible. It’s not possible to opt out. If you want to add Damage Protection, and it’s not included in your booking automatically, you can consider adding Rent Guarantee to your booking.
What’s covered by Damage Protection?
Damage Protection covers tenant-caused damage to:
The fixed or structural parts of the home (immovable parts)
Furnishings owned by the landlord and listed in the lease or inventory
For furnished rentals, this can include items such as:
Sofa, armchairs, coffee table, curtains
Kitchen furniture, utensils
Bed, wardrobe, desk, chair
Bathroom mirror or storage furniture
TV, lamps, rugs, bookshelves
What isn’t covered by Damage Protection?
Damage Protection doesn’t cover everything.
It doesn’t cover costs for:
Items that are not listed in the lease or inventory
Normal wear and tear
Your own furniture or personal belongings
Damage caused intentionally by the tenant
Damage that already existed before you moved in
Damage covered by another insurance policy
Damage from fire, water damage, theft, natural disasters, or similar events
The landlord’s personal belongings stored in the property
Some fixed or structural parts of the property are also excluded, such as:
Exterior walls, doors, windows, gardens, terraces, pools
Wiring, sockets, boilers, radiators, air conditioning, water heaters
Fitted kitchen elements, bathroom furniture, and built-in appliances
How does Damage Protection work?
Once you’ve a confirmed stay, all you’ve to do is move in. Damage Protection coverage begins automatically on your move-in date.
When moving in, it’s important that you sign your rental contract and fill in the move-in report or inventory checklist accurately. This report becomes the basis for evaluating damages and ensuring that you don’t pay for damages not caused by you.
Why Damage Protection is helpful for tenants
Damage Protection helps cover approved costs for accidental damage during your stay, including costs that go beyond your deposit, if applicable. It also adds a structured review process for landlord-submitted claims, helping make damage assessments clearer and more transparent.
Evaluating damage with move-in and move-out reports
Move-in and move-out reports help show the condition of the property before and after your stay.
Move-in and move-out reports are important for Damage Protection coverage. They are used by Mila, HousingAnywhere’s insurance partner, to review a damage claim and decide whether it’s covered.
This report is usually in the form of an inventory or handover report. It can include:
The date of move-in or move-out
The rooms, fixtures, furniture, and fittings in the property
The condition of each room and item
Photos or notes of existing damage
Meter readings, if relevant
Keys handed over
Any comments from you or the landlord
Signatures from both you and the landlord
For tenants, this report is important because it helps show whether damage was already there when you moved in.
Before signing the move-in report, check the property carefully. If you notice existing damage, add it to the report and take photos.
What to do if damage happens during your stay
If something is damaged during your stay, tell the landlord as soon as possible.
You should:
Check your move-in report to confirm whether the damage was already recorded.
Take clear photos of any new damage.
Explain what happened.
Keep communication with the landlord in writing, preferably on HousingAnywhere.
It’s the landlord’s responsibility to file a claim with the insurance provider. You’ll need to cooperate with them if they need more information from you.
Once the landlord files a claim
Filing a claim does not mean it’ll be automatically approved.
When there’s a claim, Mila, the insurance provider, will fairly review the claim. They’ll review the move-in and move-out reports, as well as any invoices or contractor quotes for repair or replacement costs.
If the claim is valid, they’ll reach out to you. If it’s not valid, you’ll not be responsible for covering any damage costs.
If the costs are up to the deposit amount
If the claim is accepted and the damage costs are within your deposit amount, those costs may be taken from your deposit, in line with your rental agreement and local rules.
If the costs are above the deposit
If the claim is accepted and the eligible damage costs are higher than your deposit, your deposit may be used first.
Damage Protection can then apply to the eligible amount above your deposit, based on the insurance coverage.
Does Damage Protection cost extra?
For eligible bookings in Madrid, no. Damage Protection is automatically included at no extra cost. You don’t need to add it separately.
In other cases, damage coverage may be included as part of Rent Guarantee. Rent Guarantee is a paid add-on available for bookings in France, Munich, and Barcelona, and may include broader coverage such as missed rent and damage coverage.
So, if you see Damage Protection included in your Madrid booking, there’s nothing extra to pay. If Damage Protection is not automatically included, you can add Rent Guarantee to your booking, if eligible.
Why don’t I see Damage Protection included in my booking?
If you don’t see Damage Protection automatically included in your booking, it’s because it isn’t eligible for it. Some reasons why you or the property are not eligible include:
The rent is more than €5,000 per month
There is no signed lease
The property does not meet safety or habitability standards
You don’t have a valid ID, university enrolment letter, or employment contract
Does Damage Protection replace my security deposit?
No. Damage Protection doesn’t replace your security deposit. If your booking includes a security deposit, Damage Protection can cover repair or replacement costs that go beyond the security deposit.
I rented a place with no deposit. How does Damage Protection work?
Rented a place without a deposit? If you accidentally damage the property or furnishings during your stay, Damage Protection can cover full repair and replacement costs from the first euro, based on the insurance coverage.
How much coverage does Damage Protection offer?
Damage Protection covers accidental damage costs up to €10,000. This is much higher than your deposit, providing greater coverage for landlords. Overall, this makes your rental application stronger in the landlord’s eyes.
Who provides the coverage?
Damage Protection is provided by Mila, HousingAnywhere’s insurance partner. Mila reviews claims independently and decides whether they’re covered.
How can I be sure the claim is reviewed fairly?
We partner with Mila, a top-rated insurer (4.7/5 stars) known for quick and transparent service. They review every claim independently to ensure fairness. By checking your move-in and move-out reports against repair quotes and current market prices, Mila makes sure you only ever pay a fair amount for valid claims. This ensures the process is transparent and reliable for everyone.
How Damage Protection is different from Tenant Protection and Rent Guarantee
Damage Protection, Tenant Protection, and Rent Guarantee are different.
Damage Protection
Damage Protection can cover costs for accidental damage if the cost is higher than your security deposit. It’s included for free with eligible bookings in Madrid. For bookings in France, Munich, or Barcelona, Damage Protection is included as part of Rent Guarantee.
Tenant Protection
Tenant Protection is a service included with all bookings on HousingAnywhere. You pay a one-time fee that covers a range of services that make renting through HousingAnywhere safe. For example, your first payment is held safely until after your move-in date, and you’re supported if the property is not as described.
Rent Guarantee
Rent Guarantee is a paid add-on that acts as a guarantor replacement. It covers costs for unpaid rent and damages. In Madrid, Damage Protection is already included for free for eligible bookings. But if you need broader coverage or a guarantor replacement, you can add Rent Guarantee to your rental application.