Injured at a VRBO in San Diego? Understanding Slip-and-Fall Liability

By Eugene Bruno on June 24, 2025

San Diego is a top destination for travelers looking for sunshine, beaches, and relaxation—and short-term vacation rentals like VRBO have become increasingly popular for both weekend getaways and longer stays. But what happens when your vacation takes a painful turn?

If you suffer a slip-and-fall accident at a VRBO in San Diego, you may be left wondering who is responsible. Is it the host? The platform? The property manager? And, more importantly, how can you seek compensation for your injuries?

In most cases, the VRBO company is not responsible for the condition of the rental property or the safety of guests. That means your injury claim is typically brought against the host or property owner rather than the VRBO company itself.

This makes it critical to identify the person or entity responsible for maintaining the property and warning guests of any hazards.

What Hosts Are Legally Required to Do

Under premises liability law in California, all property owners and occupiers, including short-term rental hosts, have a duty of care to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. This includes:

• Inspecting the property regularly
• Fixing known hazards (like loose stairs, slippery tile, or broken railings)
• Providing warnings about non-obvious dangers
• Taking precautions during guest turnover (like ensuring walkways are dry and lit)

If a host fails to meet these duties and a guest is injured as a result, that host can be liable under VRBO host negligence rules and premises liability California law.

The Difference Between Hosted vs. Non-Hosted Properties

In San Diego, local ordinances now regulate short-term rentals, and there’s a legal distinction between hosted and non-hosted properties:

• Hosted rentals: The host lives on the property and rents out a room or portion of the home.
• Non-hosted rentals: The entire property is rented out, and the host does not reside there during the guest’s stay.

This matters for liability because:

• Hosted rentals may provide more direct evidence of maintenance (or negligence).
• Non-hosted properties often rely on third-party cleaners or property managers, complicating responsibility.

In both cases, the property owner carries the legal burden of making sure the home is safe for paying guests.

Common Slip-and-Fall Hazards in Vacation Rentals

We’ve seen a wide range of short-term rental accidents, especially slips, trips, and falls. Common causes include:

• Slippery tile floors in bathrooms or kitchens with no rugs or non-slip mats
• Uneven steps or thresholds between rooms
• Outdoor areas with loose stones, cracked pavement, or wet decking
• Missing or broken railings on balconies or staircases
• Poor lighting, especially in stairwells or outside walkways
• Recently mopped floors without warning signs

Because many VRBO homes were not designed for public or commercial use, they may lack the safety features required in hotels or public accommodations.

Can You File a Claim Against the Host’s Homeowners Insurance?

Yes, homeowners insurance may cover your injury if the host carries a valid policy and the fall was due to negligence. Unfortunately, not all insurance policies cover short-term rentals.

Here’s how it usually breaks down:

• If the host disclosed to their insurer that they rent the property on VRBO, they may have a rider or special coverage for vacation rental injury liability.
• If they failed to disclose rental activity, their claim could be denied, and your path to compensation becomes more complicated.

Your attorney can investigate whether insurance coverage exists and whether a personal injury claim can proceed through the host’s policy. Otherwise, your case could require litigation against the host.

What About VRBO’s Liability Coverage?

VRBO offers some insurance protections to hosts under its Liability Protection program, but this coverage has limits:

• It’s intended to protect the host, not the guest
• It may exclude certain types of claims
• It does not replace the need for a personal insurance policy
• It may not cover injuries that result from intentional acts or violations of the law

In general, your best path for compensation lies in proving VRBO host negligence and identifying applicable premises liability coverage under homeowner’s or landlord insurance.

Steps to Take After a Slip-and-Fall Accident at a VRBO

If you’ve been injured in a San Diego VRBO, the actions you take immediately after the accident can strengthen your claim.

Report the Incident to the Host

Notify the property owner or manager right away. Request that they document the injury and take photos.

Take Your Own Photos

Capture images of the hazard (wet floor, broken step, etc.) and the surrounding area. Time-stamped images are crucial.

Seek Medical Attention Right Away

Even if your injuries seem minor, get checked out. This establishes a medical record linking the fall to the injury.

Save Communication Records

Keep texts, emails, and messages between you and the host or VRBO platform. These may prove the host knew about the hazard.

Contact a Slip-and-Fall Attorney

Don’t wait to talk to a qualified San Diego slip-and-fall attorney. Starting an investigating right away increases the chances of identifying liability and securing compensation.

VRBO Slip-and-Fall Accident Scenario

A couple visiting San Diego booked a beachside VRBO. While walking down an exterior staircase, the husband fell due to a missing railing and slippery steps.

Through an investigation, their attorney discovered a homeowner’s insurance policy that covered guest injuries. The couple’s attorney secured a significant settlement for the client’s medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, demonstrating how important documentation, witness reports, and local legal knowledge can be in these cases.

Reasons to Choose Eugene Bruno & Associates

At Eugene Bruno & Associates, we have over 85 years of combined experience helping injured clients recover what they deserve. We have a 99.7% success rate, proudly giving each case our personal attention.

Speak With an Experienced San Diego Slip-and-Fall Lawyer

If you’ve been injured due to unsafe conditions at a short-term rental, you may be eligible to receive compensation under California premises liability law.

Call Eugene Bruno & Associates today at 1-888-BRUNO-88 (1-888-278-6688) to schedule your free consultation with a San Diego premises liability lawyer.