Insurance Requirements: Boulder vs Longmont
How do insurance requirements rules compare between Boulder, CO and Longmont, CO?
Boulder has fewer restrictions than Longmont.
Boulder, CO
Boulder County
Boulder may require hosts to carry liability insurance for short-term rental properties. Minimum coverage amounts vary by jurisdiction.
View full Boulder rules →Longmont, CO
Boulder County
Longmont requires every short-term rental to be covered by liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000. The coverage may take the form of property liability insurance, commercial liability insurance, or an endorsement of the operator's homeowner's policy specifically covering short-term rental activity. Standard homeowner's policies usually exclude business activity, so most operators must add an endorsement or obtain a separate commercial STR policy. Proof of qualifying coverage is part of the STR license application and renewal process.
View full Longmont rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Boulder | Longmont |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | $500K to $1M typical | - |
| Homeowner Policy | May not cover STR | - |
| Platform Insurance | May not satisfy local rules | - |
| Proof | May be required at renewal | - |
| Minimum Liability Coverage | - | $1,000,000 |
| Acceptable Policy Forms | - | Property liability, commercial liability, or homeowner's endorsement |
| Homeowner's Policy Caveat | - | Standard policies exclude business activity; endorsement required |
| Proof Required | - | At application and at each annual renewal |
| Submission Method | - | Accela Citizen Access (ACA) portal |
| Platform Coverage Status | - | Supplemental only; typically does not satisfy city minimum |
| Penalty for Non-Compliance | - | License suspension/revocation; up to $500/day if operating uncovered |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Boulder FAQ
Does my homeowner insurance cover short-term rentals?
Often no. Standard homeowner policies may exclude commercial rental activity. Check with your insurer about adding a rider.
Does Airbnb insurance satisfy local requirements?
Platform-provided insurance may not meet Boulder requirements. Verify with your local permitting office.
Longmont FAQ
How much liability insurance does a Longmont STR need?
Longmont requires a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability coverage for every licensed short-term rental. The coverage can be in the form of a property liability policy, a commercial liability policy, or an endorsement on the operator's existing homeowner's policy that specifically covers short-term rental activity at the licensed address.
Does my regular homeowner's policy cover my Longmont Airbnb?
Usually no. Standard homeowner's policies contain a business-activity exclusion that voids coverage for paid short-term rental events. To satisfy Longmont's $1,000,000 minimum, you typically need to add a 'home-sharing' or 'short-term rental' endorsement from your existing carrier, or replace the policy with a dedicated commercial STR policy. The city accepts either form as long as the face limit is at least $1,000,000 and the policy actually covers the rental activity.
Does Airbnb's AirCover meet Longmont's insurance requirement?
Generally no, on a stand-alone basis. Platform-provided programs like Airbnb's AirCover and VRBO's liability insurance are typically treated as supplemental coverage and do not, by themselves, satisfy the City of Longmont's $1,000,000 primary-coverage requirement. Operators relying solely on platform coverage should confirm acceptability directly with Code Enforcement before using it as the sole compliance strategy; most operators carry an independent property or commercial liability policy with the platform coverage layered on top.
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