<p>I’m getting ready to use VRBO for the first time. It has been recommended by others here. Do those who use it typically take out insurance? The cost of the rental is 1600, and the insurance is over 160. I want to be smart but not throw money away. Advice?</p>
<p>I had to google what VRBO is.</p>
<p>Vacation Rental By Owner.</p>
<p>We’ve rented through VRBO in Paris, Quebec and the US. Never took out insurance, never had a problem.</p>
<p>I have a VRBO rental.</p>
<p>What is the cancellation policy?</p>
<p>Can you wait til you’re just getting to that deadline and then buy the insurance if you think you still need it?</p>
<p>We are going to Hawaii. On the VRBO site, they offer insurance. Our person prefers checks to credit card, and there is a 3% extra fee to pay with credit card. (But I’m assuming I could dispute the charge if I used a credit card and the place didn’t come through). How do most VRBO owners work payment, do you know? Thanks</p>
<p>Never bought insurance. Only had one “iffy” rental in DC. It was a basement apt in a town home, and based on the contents of the medicine chest and fridge, it appeared to be inhabited permanently, with the owner tossing them out when she could rent it. Never saw her either, just left the check on the counter. Weird…</p>
<p>“How do most VRBO owners work payment, do you know? Thanks”</p>
<p>what do you mean? are you asking which payment method do most use?</p>
<p>I dont know which method MOST use, but on the VRBO-owners forum, there seems to be a split between those who accept credit cards (I do), and those who only accept checks. </p>
<p>Have used VRBO many times. Never took out insurance. Never had a problem. Ever. Have a great trip!</p>
<p>Yes, that’s what I was asking. Just trying to make sure checks are “normal.” I don’t mean to sound paranoid, but I’m just a little nervous about turning over money to an individual instead of a management company. I really like the idea though, and I’ve heard almost universally good things about the rentals.</p>
<p>"“Only had one “iffy” rental in DC. It was a basement apt in a town home, and based on the contents of the medicine chest and fridge, it appeared to be inhabited permanently, with the owner tossing them out when she could rent it. Never saw her either, just left the check on the counter. Weird…”"</p>
<p>lol…that sounds like an AirBnB rental. Some of those folks rent their own homes out …or rent a room out. VRBO rentals are typically vacation homes, etc…that the owners would only use for an occasional vacation.</p>
<p>I’m guessing that you’re concerned that you might have to cancel (illness) and lose your money. Is that the concern?</p>
<p>Concerns include needing to cancel, and also the slight fear of having the people take our money and double book the condo or something like that. </p>
<p>Would you take out insurance on a cruise or other trip that you might wish to cancel for whatever reason? If you would do it for non-VRBO travel you might want to consider it. </p>
<p>When we traveled internationally we paid a deposit and then the balance in cash on our arrival (or soon after). In the U.S. we have always paid in advance, by check.</p>
<p>We used VRBO a few years ago on the Cape. We paid by check. There was no problem. D has used airbnb many times. She used it when she was interviewing for residencies and has used it several times for vacations. She has always had a good experience. </p>
<p>Are they having you pay thru the VRBO payment process (aka Reservation Manager)? </p>
<p>are you paying by credit card? If so, then if they were to double book, then you could get your money back thru Visa/mastercard.</p>
<p>@mom2collegekids … Yep, it was weird. The ad on VRBO was very misleading. Nothing about it being a basement apt. Or that a herd of thundering kids lived upstairs! I almost called the owner one night to complain, but then realized it was HER kids upstairs. The location was great, though, and all in all it worked out ok. Would use VRBO again, especially in more resort-y areas.</p>
<p>I have used VRBO without problem. Never took insurance and paid by check. Are there any reviews to read re: the place you are thinking about?</p>
<p>We just came back from Spain using airbnb to rent a very nice apartment. We paid the agency instead of individual owner. The owner doesn’t get the payment until a day after we showed up. If we had any problem with the reservation, the agency wouldn’t release our payment. We paid with our credit card. Two weeks before our arrival, I noticed I wrongfully booked one extra night. I was able to cancel online and get that one night rental back. There was an additional deposit for damage, we just gave the agency our credit card, but we were never charged.</p>
<p>Yes, read the reviews. those who’ve been owners for awhile and have top reviews would not keep your money if they accidentally double-booked. double-booking is rare these days now that we can sync calendars with other rental sites.</p>
<p>We just did a VRBO this past February. Great experience with just a few glitches. (I paid for a heated pool, and it wasn’t heated the first week. I was corresponding with the mngt company, but the day I cc’d the owner, it got taken care of immediately ). I plan to use the service again. The house was even better than the pictures. </p>
<p>Mom2college kids, what city is your rental in, if I may ask?</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. The reviews are 100% positive, and the owner has been renting for many years. I wrote the check. I have time to decide if I want to get insurance. </p>