"Golf Cart Included."
It is one of the most profitable filters an Airbnb host can check. In beach towns and large resorts, adding a golf cart can increase your nightly rate by $50 to $100 and boost your occupancy significantly.
But for many hosts, that "value-add" is actually a ticking time bomb.
As software providers for fleet managers, we have analyzed the operational side of short-term rentals. We have seen a disturbing pattern: hosts treating a 1,000-pound motorized vehicle like it's a pool floatie. They leave the keys on the counter, assume their homeowner's insurance covers it, and hope for the best.
Here is why that strategy is failing—and how to protect yourself without removing the amenity.
The "He Said, She Said" Nightmare
Imagine this scenario: You get a text from your guest at 11:00 PM.
"Hey, the golf cart steering is acting funny. We hit a curb because it wouldn't turn. It's pretty scratched up."
You rush over the next morning. The front axle is bent. The repair bill is going to be $1,200. You open a claim with Airbnb AirCover or charge the guest's deposit.
The guest disputes it immediately: "The cart was already damaged when we got here. The steering was loose from the start. This is a maintenance issue, not our fault."
Without proof, you are stuck. You have no timestamped photo of the axle from before their check-in. You have no maintenance log proving the steering was inspected last week. Airbnb sides with the guest. You pay the $1,200.
The Problem with Paper Waivers
Most responsible hosts try to mitigate this with a liability waiver. They download a generic PDF, print it out, and leave it on the kitchen counter for the guest to sign.
Here is the reality of paper waivers in 2026:
They get lost. Cleaning crews accidentally throw them away, or guests spill coffee on them.
They are easily disputed. A guest can claim, "I didn't sign that," or "I signed it, but I didn't know the cart had bad brakes."
They are disconnected from reality. A piece of paper cannot store a photo of the vehicle's condition at the exact moment of handoff.
The Solution: The "Digital Handshake"
The only way to win a dispute—and more importantly, prevent accidents—is to force the guest to acknowledge the condition of the cart before the wheels turn.
This is why we built CartHost.
We created a system that doesn't just ask for a signature; it creates a Forensic Timestamp.
Step 1: The guest scans a QR code on the steering wheel.
Step 2: They sign the legal waiver on their phone (verifying their identity).
Step 3: The app prompts them to take 4 photos of the cart.
If there is a scratch on the bumper, they must photograph it now to protect themselves. If they don't, they own it.
This psychology changes everything. When a guest knows the vehicle has been photographed and their ID is attached to the rental, they drive differently. They treat the asset with respect.
Don't Leave It to Chance
You don't need to stop offering golf carts. You just need to stop treating them like toys. Treat them like a rental car company would.
If you aren't ready to automate your fleet yet, at least get the legal paperwork right.
Download our Free Golf Cart Liability Waiver Template (2026 Edition)
It covers the basics of collision and injury liability. But remember: a waiver is only as good as the evidence backing it up.