Homeaway/VRBO only cover up to $1000 if travelers pay through the site with a Credit Card or echeck. The sites offer travelers the opportunity to buy additional insurance to cover costs.

It seems more common for French Side properties/agencies to request wire transfers.

Homeaway charges a commission to owners for each payment that goes through its site, as do the credit card companies via Paypal or other payment agents. I personally offer guests an additional discount if I save that commission when they pay by check or wire transfer. Most prefer to pay by check as a result. Granted, many of them are repeat guests, but new renters do this as well.

IMO a prospective renter's best course of action is to read reviews on the sites. Properties with a number of positive reviews and a substantial history of listing on VRBO/Homeaway are more likely to be legitimate. After all, it is tough to generate a dozen or more sham reviews over a lengthy period of time. In addition, if an owner is engaging in dicey business practices, they will have their listing dropped by Homeaway/VRBO after multiple complaints.