Safely

About Safely

Safely operates within the insurtech sector, providing specialized protection solutions for the short-term rental market. The company was established in 2013 by Andrew Bate, who serves as the CEO. Bate identified a critical vulnerability for second-home owners: the apprehension of renting to unvetted strangers from the internet, which often left valuable properties vacant for extended periods. This insight, derived from his background as a management consultant for travel companies, led to the creation of Safely to address two fundamental concerns for property hosts: "Who is staying in my house?" and "What happens when something goes wrong?".

Based in Atlanta, the firm primarily serves vacation rental homeowners and property managers, offering a suite of products designed to mitigate the risks associated with short-term lets. Safely's business model is centered on integrating its technology with property management systems to automate guest screening and the provision of commercial insurance. This integration facilitates a seamless process for hosts, from vetting potential guests to securing coverage for each booking. The company generates revenue through fees for its insurance products and guest screening services. Safely is not a direct insurance carrier but functions as a licensed agency, partnering with established carriers, including being a Lloyd's of London Coverholder, to offer tailored policies.

The core services include comprehensive guest screening and commercial liability insurance. The screening process is extensive, checking guests against government records, criminal databases, international watchlists, and the company's proprietary database of guests who have previously caused property damage. This serves as a preventative measure to filter out high-risk renters. On the protection side, Safely provides up to $1,000,000 in coverage for both property damage and bodily injury liability. A key feature of their service is an expedited claims process, with a stated goal of paying out 90% of claims within three business days, a significant differentiator from traditional insurance procedures. This combination of proactive screening and responsive insurance coverage allows property managers and homeowners to more confidently monetize their assets on platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com.