Auburn vs Federal Way
How do insurance requirements rules compare between Auburn, WA and Federal Way, WA?
Auburn has fewer restrictions than Federal Way.
Auburn, WA
King County
Auburn does not mandate minimum liability insurance for STRs, but Washington RCW 64.37 requires platforms to provide $1 million coverage. Operators should carry their own commercial short-term rental policy.
View full Auburn rules →Federal Way, WA
King County
RCW 64.37.040 requires Federal Way STR operators to maintain at least 1 million dollars in liability insurance or rent only through a platform that provides equivalent coverage.
View full Federal Way rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Auburn | Federal Way |
|---|---|---|
| State minimum (RCW 64.37) | $1,000,000 liability | - |
| Platform coverage | AirCover, Vrbo liability | - |
| Homeowners policy | Usually excludes STR | - |
| Recommended | Dedicated STR policy | - |
| Direct bookings | Operator must carry insurance | - |
| Minimum Coverage | - | 1 million dollars per occurrence |
| State Law | - | RCW 64.37.040 |
| Platform Coverage | - | Airbnb or VRBO may satisfy |
| Homeowner Policy | - | Typically insufficient alone |
| Proof | - | Required on request |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Auburn FAQ
Is platform insurance enough?
It meets the RCW 64.37 minimum for bookings made through that platform, but direct bookings and some claim types may not be covered. A commercial STR policy fills the gaps.
Will my homeowners insurance cover STR stays?
Usually not. Most policies exclude commercial lodging. Notify your insurer to add an endorsement or switch to a short-term rental policy.
Federal Way FAQ
What insurance does Federal Way require for a short-term rental?
Washington state law RCW 64.37 requires at least 1 million dollars in liability coverage, either carried directly by the operator or provided by the hosting platform.
Does my homeowner policy cover STR guests?
Usually not. Most homeowner policies exclude commercial or transient rental use, so a specialized STR policy or platform coverage is needed.
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