US, Sept. 28 -- Pikl founder and CEO Louise Birritteri has grown a UK insurance business focused on the risks behind short-term rentals. In an eTurboNews executive interview, she explained how a conversation with an Airbnb host led her to develop specialist cover for UK properties. Pikl now also helps property management companies offer flexible cancellations and alternatives to guest security deposits. Birritteri said the company has about 80 employees in London and Norwich and works with partners handling several million bookings a year.

Pikl's international reach has a clear qualification: its host property insurance is for eligible UK properties, while its cancellation and deposit products can support stays elsewhere when the propert...