Insurance Requirements: Bellevue vs Kirkland
How do insurance requirements rules compare between Bellevue, WA and Kirkland, WA?
Bellevue and Kirkland have similar restriction levels.
Bellevue, WA
King County
Bellevue requires STR operators to carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance under LUC 20.20.800. Platform-provided host protection like Airbnb AirCover may satisfy the requirement.
View full Bellevue 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 | Bellevue | Kirkland |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Coverage | $1,000,000 | - |
| Coverage Type | Liability per occurrence | - |
| Platform Coverage | Counts if limits match | - |
| Proof | May be required | - |
| Code | LUC 20.20.800 | - |
| 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.
Bellevue FAQ
Do I need special insurance for my Bellevue Airbnb?
Yes. LUC 20.20.800 requires at least $1,000,000 in liability coverage. Platform-provided coverage such as Airbnb AirCover typically satisfies the requirement if the limits match.
Does my homeowner policy cover short-term rental claims?
Standard homeowner policies usually exclude commercial short-term rental activity. You should confirm with your insurer and add a commercial rider or separate STR policy if needed.
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 Bellevue 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