Insurance Glossary
Vacation Rental Insurance policies can contain technical industry terms that make reading a challenge. To avoid confusion, the carrier as created the following list of definitions for a number of industry terms and phrases.
The following definitions are provided for informational purposes only. Please refer to your Vacation Rental Insurance Policy or Certificate of Insurance for definitions and coverages specific to your Policy/Certificate.
Share By Owner
Timeshare unit dates that are rented directly from the owner, rather than through a property management firm.
See also: Direct Marketing terminology, Client, Owner, Target, Lead, Complex, Hijack Origin: Vacation Rental Association Link: VRIA.org
Short-Term Rental
Synonymous with Vacation Rental, Holiday Let, Holiday Home. A cabin, condo, apartment, house or villa available for rent on a nightly, weekly usulaly for under 30 days, but occasionally longer. Usually fully furnished including a kitche, bath and sleeping area.
See also: short term, short term rental, Vacation Rental, Holiday Let, Holiday Home, mid-term rental, long-term rental Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Shoulder Season
The period between peak and low periods when business is stronger, but has room from growth.
See also: Travel Seasons, Peak Season, Low Season Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Sickness
An illness or disease of the body which: (1) Requires examination and treatment by a Physician; and (2) Commences while the plan is in effect.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Site Inspection
An assessment tour of a destination of facility by a meeting planner, convention or trade show manager, site selection committee, tour operator, wholesaler or incentive travel manager to see if it meets their needs and requirements prior to selecting a specific site for an event. After site selection, a site inspection may be utilized to make arrangements.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Ski-In Accommodations
Building, rooms or living units in a ski resort area where guests can ski to the building or reasonably close to it. Could require guests to remove skis to access the building or its grounds. Not necessarily down hill to the building but access would usually be without major obstacles between the slopes and the accommodations.
See also: Ski-Out Accommodations, Ski-In Ski-Out Accommodations Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Ski-In and Ski-Out Accommodations
Building, rooms or living units in a ski resort area where guests can get out to access the ski lifts and return from the ski lifts directly from the slopes. Could require guests to walk short distances to reach snow. Not necessarily down hill to and from building to the slopes but access would usually be without major obstacles between the slopes and the accommodations.
See also: Ski-In Accommodations, Ski-Out Accommodations Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Ski-Out Accommodations
Building, rooms or living units in a ski resort area where guests can get out to access the ski lifts. Could require guests to walk short distances to reach snow. Not necessarily down hill from building to the slopes but access would usually be without major obstacles between the slopes and the accommodations.
See also: Ski-In Accommodations, Ski-In and Ski-Out Accommodations Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Smoking Penalty
The fee charged to guests for smoking in a No Smoking lodging facility. Usually the fee is significant due to the costs associated with cleaning facilities sufficiently to return them to a no smoking condition; and to deter unauthorized smoking.
See also: No Smoking Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Sold Out
When a destination, location or unit has no available dates left for sale, it is tempting to refer to those as Sold Out.
See also: See Noso Origin: Istay
Spa
(1) A small pool usually indoors and accommodating 2 to 12 people who can sit in and enjoy the hot water usually 100 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Usually self contained including pumps, air jets, covered when not in use and treated with chlorine or similar chemical to keep the water sanitary. Also called a hot tub. (2) A business which offers health and therapeutic treatments such as massage, facials and exercise.
See also: Hot Tub Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Spa Hot Tub Cleaning Fee
A certain amount above and beyond the rental rate charged to renters wishing to use a hot tub.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Spa/Pool Heating Fee
A certain amount above and beyond the rental rate charged to renters wishing to use the heater on your pool or hot tub.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Spouse Program
Special activities planned for those who accompany an attendee to a convention, trade show or meeting. Note that programs today are not simply for women, but rather for men and women, spouses and friends. Programs must be creatively designed to interest intelligent and curious audiences.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Stay Over
See Hold Over.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Sundries
Incidental supplies provided along with rent of a lodging property such as paper goods, soaps, salt/pepper and other kitchen basics. Many managers provide a started supply of such things. Most do not provide an unlimited stash.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Sunspots Vacation Rentals Network
Network of Vacation Rental Management Companies, each independently owned and operated operated by trained and certified managers in various geographic areas.
See also: Sunspots Network Origin: Vortex Link: SunspotVacationRentals.com
Supplier Bankruptcy or Default
Bankruptcy or default of an airline, cruise line or tour operator resulting in a complete cessation of travel services which occurs more than 14 days after your policy's effective date. To qualify for coverage you must purchase the insurance prior to or within 24 hours of making your final trip payment.
Origin: CSA Travel Protection
Tariff
Rate of fare quoted and published by a travel industry supplier (i.e. hotels, tour operators, etc.) Usually an annual tariff is produced in a booklet form for use in sales calls at trade shows.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Tenant
A person or persons who rents a real estate property for an extended stay. As opposed to a "Guest" who rents a property for a short stay. The difference between a Guest and a Tenant is usually determined by local governing bodies such as states, counties, cities or home owner associations. Many jurisdictions consider tenants to be those who stay for more than 30 days. Tenants and Guests have different rights of use for the property.
See also: Guest Origin: Vacation Rental Association