The guarantee fund allocated for this benefit is limited to a total of €5,000 per calendar year and is available for all eligible guarantee cases. The HomeLink Board and the relevant national representative decide whether a benefit will be paid after reviewing each individual case.

A real-life example

A family from Schleswig-Holstein had carefully prepared a home exchange with a family from Berlin. The dates had been agreed, the exchange agreement had been completed, and both families were in regular contact.

Two weeks before the trip, the Berlin exchange partner suffered a herniated disc and was unable to travel.

HomeLink initially searched for a suitable replacement exchange family. Since no comparable offer could be found at short notice, the HomeLink Exchange Cancellation Guarantee came into effect: the family from Schleswig-Holstein was nevertheless able to go ahead with its trip to Berlin and received a contribution toward the cost of alternative accommodation.

For the HomeLink Exchange Cancellation Guarantee to apply, the following requirements must be met:

Two risks - two different forms of protection

A: Your exchange partner has to cancel

If your exchange partner cannot carry out the agreed home exchange because of a recognized event, HomeLink will assist you in finding a replacement exchange. If no suitable offer can be found, the Exchange Cancellation Guarantee may provide a contribution toward the cost of your alternative accommodation.

B: You yourself have to cancel

If you or a member of your family is unable to travel, the HomeLink Exchange Cancellation Guarantee does not apply.

Cancellation costs for flights and other booked travel services may - depending on the policy you have chosen - be covered by your own travel cancellation insurance.

Worried that your holiday might fall through?

Find out in good time how you can provide additional protection for your home-exchange holiday.

Check your insurance coverage before travelling

Before you travel, check whether your personal liability and home contents insurance are still valid and cover damage related to a home exchange.

Whether and to what extent insurance coverage applies depends on the terms of your specific policy. Therefore, be sure to ask your insurance provider specifically about damage to third-party property, borrowed or temporarily loaned items, as well as damage caused by guests or exchange partners.

The HomeLink exchange agreement completed online documents the agreed-upon mutual use of the homes. Therefore, keep it in a safe place and submit it to your insurance company as proof if necessary.

Experience shows that HomeLink members usually resolve minor mishaps with each other without any complications. However, in the event of major damage, adequate insurance coverage is essential.