@GardenCat : Thanks for that extra info. I’ve got several disparate thoughts, so I’ll list them in no particular order:
Your original post has now been merged into this thread, “a conversation about insurance.” That’s a shame to me, because your post was about a very specific hypothetical case (baby falling down stairs).
About the TH insurance for homeowners, I actually did some digging just on the TH website. =)
First, you say you’re a basic homeowner, not standard/premium? Then you don’t have any TH insurance, unless I’m mistaken.
That link includes the terms of the insurance, and a link to contacting Membership Services with specific questions.
If you’re curious, you could just contact MS and ask them if you upgraded to standard, and a baby/toddler fell down your staircase, if their insurance would cover that.
stairwell photos:
I swear I checked your listing twice before I wrote, as I wanted to understand the situation. I must have missed the two stairwell photos I now see. My bad.
red flags:
I know you were being rhetorical, but I count the flags as such:
they applied without mentioning their child in the app
they don’t respond for a week to your inquiry
when they say they will bring their child, they don’t explain how they’ll keep their baby safe even though your listing mentions a steep stairwell
so only 3 red flags
Airbnb:
I hope you find some great sitters! If you haven’t asked for feedback on your listing, I still recommend it. I know you have a ton of exp as a 10-year Superhost. But we all can get tunnel vision. Can’t hurt to ask, right?
Another idea: Can you advertise via Airbnb? E.g., set a discount rate for those dates, but specify that you’re looking for a petsitter? Maybe you want someone for all the dates, or maybe if it’s enough days, you can just leave the cats alone by themselves for the rest. (Or a neighbor can do the rest.) Just thinking that Airbnb’s audience is so much greater.
safely climbing down stairs/inclines:
Personally, I’ve found that the safest way to walk down stairs is to walk backwards. It’s unsettling the first time you try it, but after a day or two, it’s much better.
I’ve tried to explain why this works to people, but I think it’s hard for our brains to wrap around new ways to do things we’ve done for years. Maybe this will help: Think of climbing up and down a steep ladder. You go up one way, and down the same way. You would be unsafe to go down the ladder with your heels facing it. The same is true for a steep staircase or a steep descent/hill, and thus a normal staircase or normal hill.
Another way to say it is that I’ve tried going forwards for over 30 years, and I’ve tried going backwards for about 5 years now, and I think going backwards is safer.
To clarify, I could walk down your stairwell backwards, blindfolded, without the rail, and I’d be fine. But going forward with the same conditions? You couldn’t pay me enough to try that.
I still agree your stairwell is more dangerous than most, and it’s great there’s a railing. And it’s definitely dangerous for kids/babies.
THS provides insurance to sitters if they have the Standard or Premium plan.
The Basic plan does not include insurance coverage.
ACCIDENT & THIRD PARTY LIABILITY PROTECTION
For extra peace of mind, if a pet causes damage or injury to another person, their property, or pets whilst under your control during a sit, and this is due to negligence on your part, then you will be covered by our Sitter guarantee up to $1,000,000 per incident.
The Premium Plan also provides cancellation insurance. There are specific conditions that must be satisfied in order to collect on a claim. If you are interested in details, let me know and I will post them.
@TravelingOutsideTheBox - THS insurance depends on whether you are a home host or a sitter and also on which level of membership you have. As with all insurances, there are terms and conditions so it’s worth reading the small print!
Hello again everyone!
We have been a little missing these weeks due to lack of time, but we are already active again.
I wanted to ask you another question that arises and that we do not find in the forum … Do we have to pay an insurance or a fee, (we have seen that there are three different, and we do not know which one to opt for) to get to make housesitters somewhere?
As always, thank you in advance!
@P.S2022 Hello again and glad to see you back. A little unsure of your question… are you talking about the three different membership tiers that have different levels of insurance for housesitters? The Basic, Standard and Premium plans?
Basic = no sitter insurance
Standard = Accident & third party liability protection
Premium = Accident & third party liability protection + Sitter Cancellation Insurance
Terms & Conditions apply to both insurances.
Let me know if this is what you mean and if you have any other questions, or if you meant something different, please let us know.
Hope we can help… all the best, Vanessa and the forum team
Hello Vanessa!
Yes, that was just what I wanted to know. My doubt is if in order to start looking for houses it is mandatory to have one of those insurances or, if on the contrary, we can start looking for accommodation without it. Again, thank you very much for the kindness.
Hi @P.S2022 Vanessa is offline today and I’m also a little unsure of the question but here is what I believe you are asking, do you need to take out any particular membership before you can start actively looking for pet sits?
Once you have joined with any of the tiered memberships and completed your ID verifications, your profile and added references (not mandatory but highly recommended) you can start applying for sits.
I hope that answers your question, if not then please just ask and I will refer you to a Membership Services Team member who will be happy to help.
Hi @Angela! Of course, ,your answer is what I were looking for.
To start you have to choose one of the payment options and then start looking for homes to take care of. That’s right?
Thanks you very much!
aloha everyone
I am wondering how many of you have bought insurance - in case the HO cancels or if the pet is sick and needs vet treatment. I am wondering what the insurance covers?
It is great that you are considering if insurances will be right for you. Here is a reminder of the different insurance for sitters depending on membership level:
Here is the help desk article which explains the different insurance:
Veterinary treatment if the pet gets sick is not covered by insurance and is covered by the owner, here are the T&Cs which might help:
ensure you have adequate provisions in place for veterinary care of your pet (such as pet insurance); and you hereby authorise the Sitter to obtain veterinary care for your pet(s) during a Sit if you cannot be reached;
remain responsible at all times for any veterinary treatment that your pet(s) may require, including all costs and expenses incurred by the Sitter in relation to the same; and you will reimburse the Sitter for any such costs within 14 days of completion of a Sit;
Also please feel free to reach out to Membership Services as they can give you more details at support@trustedhousesitters.com
If you use the spyglass there are also several topics discussing sitter’s insurance, here is an example:
