Auburn vs Kirkland
How do insurance requirements rules compare between Auburn, WA and Kirkland, WA?
Auburn has fewer restrictions than Kirkland.
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 →Kirkland, WA
King County
RCW 64.37.050 requires all Washington short-term rental operators to carry at least 1 million dollars in liability insurance or use a platform that provides equivalent coverage for guests.
View full Kirkland rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Auburn | Kirkland |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| State minimum | - | 1 million dollars liability |
| Source law | - | RCW 64.37.050 |
| Platform option | - | Airbnb and VRBO qualify |
| Homeowner policy | - | Usually excludes STR |
| Proof required | - | On license renewal |
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.
Kirkland FAQ
Does Airbnb coverage satisfy the Washington requirement?
Yes, the Airbnb Host Liability program provides the 1 million dollar minimum, but the coverage only applies to bookings made through Airbnb and not to off-platform or direct bookings.
Does my homeowner policy cover an STR?
Most standard homeowner policies exclude income-producing lodging use; you should purchase an STR endorsement or separate commercial policy to avoid coverage gaps.
Compare other topics
See how Auburn and Kirkland compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool