Insurance Requirements: Auburn vs Seattle
How do insurance requirements rules compare between Auburn, WA and Seattle, WA?
Auburn and Seattle have similar restriction levels.
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 →Seattle, WA
King County
Unincorporated King County sets no STR insurance minimum. Hosts should carry a homeowner or landlord policy with an STR endorsement. Airbnb and Vrbo liability programs only supplement private coverage.
View full Seattle rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Auburn | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| State minimum (RCW 64.37) | $1,000,000 liability | - |
| Platform coverage | AirCover, Vrbo liability | - |
| Homeowners policy | Usually excludes STR | - |
| Recommended | Dedicated STR policy | $1M liability |
| Direct bookings | Operator must carry insurance | - |
| County Minimum | - | None required |
| Homeowner Policy | - | Often excludes STR |
| Airbnb AirCover | - | Up to $1M |
| Vrbo Liability | - | Up to $1M |
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.
Seattle FAQ
Does King County require short-term rental insurance?
No. Unincorporated King County does not set a mandatory insurance minimum for STRs. Hosts should still carry appropriate liability and property coverage through a private policy or STR endorsement since standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity.
Is Airbnb host insurance enough coverage for a King County STR?
Airbnb AirCover provides up to $1 million in host liability and damage protection for Airbnb bookings, but it is designed to supplement private insurance and only covers Airbnb bookings. Hosts should maintain a dedicated STR or landlord policy for full protection.
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