Insurance Requirements: Daly City vs San Mateo
How do insurance requirements rules compare between Daly City, CA and San Mateo, CA?
San Mateo has fewer restrictions than Daly City.
Daly City, CA
San Mateo County
Daly City Municipal Code Chapter 5.92 does not specify a dollar-amount liability insurance requirement for short-term rental hosts. Instead, applicants must sign an Indemnification and Waiver Agreement as part of the Short-Term Rental Permit application, agreeing to hold the City harmless for losses arising from STR activity. Hosts using major hosting platforms typically receive platform-provided host protection (Airbnb's AirCover offers up to $1 million in liability coverage, Vrbo's Liability Insurance offers up to $1 million) but this platform coverage is not a city mandate. Hosts should also confirm their homeowner's or renter's policy permits STR use and consider a dedicated commercial-style STR policy.
View full Daly City rules →San Mateo, CA
San Mateo County
San Mateo's STR ordinance (Chapter 5.66) does not mandate specific minimum liability insurance as a condition of registration. Operators are encouraged to carry adequate coverage. Platform insurance (Airbnb AirCover) provides some protection but has limitations.
View full San Mateo rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Daly City | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| City Minimum | No dollar amount specified in DCMC 5.92 | - |
| Required Document | Indemnification and Waiver Agreement (signed) | - |
| Primary Residence Cert. | Required with permit application | - |
| Airbnb AirCover (typical) | Up to $1M host liability | - |
| Vrbo Liability (typical) | Up to $1M per occurrence | - |
| Recommended Carriers | Proper, Steadily, dedicated STR policies | - |
| Code Section | DCMC Chapter 5.92 | - |
| City Mandate | - | No specific insurance required |
| Recommendation | - | Adequate liability insurance advised |
| Airbnb | - | AirCover — $1M liability |
| Homeowners Policy | - | Often excludes STR activity |
| STR Insurance | - | Specialized policies available |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Daly City FAQ
Does Daly City require a specific amount of liability insurance for STRs?
No. DCMC Chapter 5.92 does not state a minimum dollar amount. The host instead signs an Indemnification and Waiver Agreement releasing the City from STR-related claims.
Will my regular homeowner's insurance cover my Airbnb?
Often not. Most California HO-3 policies exclude 'business pursuits.' Notify your insurer and add an STR endorsement or buy a dedicated short-term rental policy.
Is Airbnb's AirCover enough?
AirCover provides up to $1M host liability and $1M damage protection for Airbnb bookings only. It does not cover direct bookings or every type of claim, so primary insurance is still recommended.
What happens if I don't have insurance and a guest is injured?
You would be personally liable. The Indemnification and Waiver Agreement signed with the City means Daly City is not responsible for guest injuries or neighbor damages.
San Mateo FAQ
Does San Mateo require STR insurance?
No. Chapter 5.66 does not mandate specific insurance. However, adequate liability coverage is strongly recommended.
Will my homeowners insurance cover STR guests?
Most homeowners policies exclude commercial activities like short-term rentals. Check with your insurer about an STR endorsement.
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