Skip navigation

Join the Vacation Rentals Conversation!

Get answers to all of your questions from fellow owners and travelers.

Join the CommunityX

CommunitySeek, Ask, and Share in the Vacation Rentals Community
Up to Discussions in Insurance
1919 Views 7 Replies Latest reply: Jun 21, 2012 6:42 PM by twobitrentals RSS
moltened Contributor
moltened
Currently Being Moderated

Jun 15, 2012 12:29 PM

Insurance for service animal

Thought I would share the fact that CSA rental insurance does not cover damage done by an animal BUT they told me that they will when it is a service animal.  I don't allow pets but we owners have to take liscensed service animals when asked to.  It is illegal to ask for an increased deposit (or deposit period) for the animal.  I worried because I don't ask for a deposit at all on my rentals... I only take rental insurance.  I was relieved to find out I was covered.

  • skiandglee Community Ambassador
    skiandglee
    266 posts since
    Apr 27, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jun 15, 2012 2:43 PM (in response to moltened)
    Re: Insurance for service animal

    I'm sorry, but I am a little incredulous at being forced by law to allow a pet or service animal stay in your own home.  That is what are vacation properties are, our homes, not a corporation.  I think you may be mistaken on that.

     

    Rick

    www.vacationrentalhelper.com

    • msdebj Community Ambassador
      msdebj
      1,125 posts since
      May 25, 2011
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jun 15, 2012 3:15 PM (in response to skiandglee)
      Re: Insurance for service animal

      I've never been able to get exact clarification on how the ADA ( Americans with Disabilities) law impacts private VR owners and Service Dogs. I've gotten various responses from different attorneys over the years. I think it's because the law is written in rather broad terms. (You can Google the ADA law).

       

      I DO know that we are not required to make our homes handicap accessible, with ramps, bath facilities, etc.

       

      I don't think there has been a court case concerning this matter yet, at least not one I've been able to find. If anyone knows of one in your state could you please share it?

       

      It is good to know some insurance covers this.

      Debj 

      • moltened Contributor
        moltened
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jun 15, 2012 3:47 PM (in response to msdebj)
        Re: Insurance for service animal

        Well, my units are normally long term rentals and I rent them short term.  I fall under the laws that regulate discrimination against persons with disablities.  The service animal can even be a cat... if the person has a liscense for the theraputic companionship for anxiety for instance.  I cannot take a damage deposit in excess of what I had posted in the listing or require the purchase of additional insurance be the prospective tenant.  Luckily, CNS would cover service animal damage.

         

        Lets let Rick refuse a guide dog for the blind and report back as to the reprecussions.

  • thefarmm New Member
    thefarmm
    1 posts since
    Jun 20, 2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jun 20, 2012 4:14 PM (in response to moltened)
    Re: Insurance for service animal

    I have just been checking out the ADA ( Americans Disability Act) after a guest signed a no pet contract, then 3 months later wrote to tell us a 7 yr old was coming with their "service dog"  for her diabetes.  I am so glad she has a service dog and wish her well.  Unfortunately our house is a "mammal dander free" home for those with severe allergies.  It sleeps 18 and last year someone tried to sneak a dog in, which cost us $600 in cleaning fees to "sterilize" the whole house ( they paid), they had signed and it wasn't a "service" dog.  Now I am finding out I HAVE NO RIGHTS when it comes to service animals.....I have to take them, I will be paying the cleaning fee myself, so frankly it means I will be paying for 13 people to vacation at my home and I can't say a thing about it !!! JHow does an owner pay the bills doing this?  anyone have any thoughts or help on this?  I have a place in another state where I have designated a dog friendly cabin out of my 5 so I am not a mean person.

    • anja Community Ambassador
      anja
      1,267 posts since
      Aug 9, 2011
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jun 20, 2012 5:20 PM (in response to thefarmm)
      Re: Insurance for service animal

      Frankly, the answer that I think you you need in this situation is from a lawyer.... contact a lawyer to confirm whether you MUST forfeit YOUR RIGHTS to rent your house "pet free".  You can easily get a qualified answer to that.

       

      Unless there is a lawyer on this Community forum with knowledge  of all the condiitons and exemptions {there are exemptions to the ADA laws},  I'd be careful to get  into any discourse with the people you have a contract with. You never know what they will do...how far they will go to challenge *their right* to have the service dog.

    • moltened Contributor
      moltened
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jun 20, 2012 5:33 PM (in response to thefarmm)
      Re: Insurance for service animal

      Two things.  First is that this posting of yours is linked to your properties.  In other word someone in a dispute with you can easily search your property, email and/ your username in a search on Google....they'd surely find and copy what you've posted here.  It sure won't look good if you're sued by this person if you suddenly have a "plumbing" problem that causes the property to be unavailable.

       

      Secondly you're risking legal action by making it difficult or uncomfortable for this renter.  I suggest you post in your listing after this that you are a pet dander free rental because of a severe allergy of your own and then just pray no one with a service animal is willing to risk your health.

       

      It takes more to defend against legal action then to pay them a couple thousand to drop the suit.  Live and learn.

Not a member?

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Register Now

More Like This

  • Retrieving data ...

Bookmarked By (0)