By ERIN DEBORAH WAKS, TRAVEL WRITER
Published: | Updated:
As we Brits well know, a rainy day doesn't necessarily mean a trip is ruined.
It can, however, force a change of plans – meaning money already spent on outdoor activities goes to waste.
There's good news, though, for those headed to weather-dependent destinations.
Airbnb has announced it is introducing a new weather protection service, an optional insurance product that pays guests when rain meets or exceeds a certain daily threshold during their stay.
So how will this work? Rather than asking guests to document what happened or file a traditional claim, it monitors rainfall automatically and pays out when the threshold covered by their policy is met.
Guests can simply add weather protection at checkout. Once a covered stay begins, there's no need to waste time watching the forecast.
Airbnb has introduced a weather protection add-on for guests
Rainfall at the listing location is measured using independent radar, satellite and forecast data, verified in real time.
If it meets the covered threshold for a given day, the guest receives a payout between €50 (£42) and €1,000 (£839).
'Rain can cast a shadow over a trip guests have been looking forward to, but it shouldn't define it,' said Justin Brouse, Airbnb's director of strategic partnerships, AirCover and insurance.
Weather protection is underwritten by Chubb, a leading global insurer.
It is available to eligible guests resident in Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Sweden for both domestic and international trips.
For guests in Denmark, Poland, and Sweden, this marks the first insurance option available through Airbnb.
You don't need to do anything to monitor the rainfall - it will be measured automatically
Airbnb has added a whole host of other services this summer.
In the US, for instance, you can now co-ordinate grocery delivery through Airbnb.
Meanwhile, luggage storage, airport pickups and car rentals are all available too.
Worldwide, Airbnb has an offering of more than 2,500 food culture experiences that give you behind-the-scenes access to the chefs, markets, and more.