Whether it's property damage, a safety concern, or behavior that just doesn't sit right, it's normal to wonder what steps to take and who to turn to. This guide walks through both paths, property damage and reporting member behavior, and clears up one of the biggest misconceptions we hear: Harvest Hosts is not an insurance company. The Property Protection Plan (PPP) is a helpful safety net, but it works alongside insurance, not instead of it. For the full breakdown, see What do I do if there's been an incident with a member at my location?
If there's property damage
Start with the Member. First, work it out directly with the member and determine who caused the damage. Most situations get resolved at this stage with a simple, honest conversation.
Let insurance respond next. If the Member caused the damage, their insurance should respond first. All Members are required to carry insurance, so this is the expected next step, not an extra ask. Responsibility follows the cause of the damage. For example, if a rig backs into a barn, the driver is responsible for that damage, even if they were being guided at the time.
Host insurance and the PPP, if needed. If the situation isn't fully resolved through the member and their insurance, your own Host insurance may come into play. This is where the PPP can help. It may assist with eligible host deductibles, but it is not an insurance replacement, and Harvest Hosts is not your insurer. Think of it as backup support for specific, eligible situations, not a blanket policy that covers every incident. Read more here: Do you have liability coverage? What is the Property Protection Plan for Hosts?
Not all property damage is severe enough to warrant filing a claim, and you're never required to file one. We review every case individually, so what applies to one incident won't necessarily apply to another.
If it's a behavior or safety concern
Some incidents aren't about damage at all. They're about a Member's behavior, like a suspicious profile, an inappropriate message, or conduct that doesn't align with our community values.
If you ever feel unsafe or believe there's an immediate safety risk, call local law enforcement first. Please don’t engage with a violent or enraged guest. Your safety and the safety of your property always come before reporting through Harvest Hosts. Once that's handled, or if the situation doesn't rise to that level but still needs to be flagged, let us know.
Reserve formal reports for serious situations: safety issues, property damage, or significant policy violations.
To report a Member:
From your Host Dashboard, go to your hosting location and open the Stays section.
Find the "Report a Member" link at the bottom of the right column and select "Report Member Behavior." Or, if you're reviewing a specific stay, open that request and click the red Report button in the top right corner of the Review window.
Choose a category, add the details of what happened, and click Report Issue.
Full steps and more examples of when to report are here: Reviews: How do I report bad behavior by a member?
Quick recap
If there's property damage, work it out with the Member first, let their insurance respond next, and lean on your own host insurance and the PPP only if needed, with the PPP assisting with eligible deductibles rather than acting as your insurance. If it's a safety concern, call the police first if you feel you need to, then report the Member so our team can look into it.