10 Questions to Ask Before Booking a Vacation Rental

10. Is there a damage deposit or required insurance and how are disputes handled?

Many listings require a security deposit or hold on your card to cover damage. Confirm whether the deposit is a refundable hold or an upfront charge, how much it is, and what documentation the host needs to make a claim. Ask how the host documents damage and what the timeline is for returning funds. Some hosts require renters insurance or platform-provided protection; if so, get details on coverage limits and excluded causes.