Insurance Requirements: Ewa Gentry vs Honolulu
How do insurance requirements rules compare between Ewa Gentry, HI and Honolulu, HI?
Ewa Gentry and Honolulu have similar restriction levels.
Ewa Gentry, HI
Honolulu County
Ewa Gentry STR registrants must provide proof of at least $1,000,000 in commercial general liability insurance or an equivalent homeowner's policy endorsement under ROH Sec. 21-5.730.
View full Ewa Gentry rules →Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
Honolulu requires every owner or operator of a transient vacation unit (TVU) or bed-and-breakfast home to maintain at least $1,000,000 per occurrence in commercial general liability coverage, or homeowner's insurance with business liability coverage (umbrella policies may be combined to reach the limit), under Revised Ordinances of Honolulu (ROH) §21-5.730 as amended by Ordinance 22-7 (Bill 41, CD2). Proof of coverage must be filed with the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) at registration and at every annual renewal, and a hosting-platform policy may satisfy the requirement only if it meets the minimum.
View full Honolulu rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Ewa Gentry | Honolulu |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Minimum Coverage | - | $1,000,000 per occurrence |
| Code Section | - | ROH §21-5.730 (Ord. 22-7) |
| Acceptable Policy | - | Commercial general liability or homeowner's with business liability |
| Umbrella Stacking | - | Allowed to reach $1,000,000 |
| Platform Policy | - | Allowed if it meets the minimum |
| Proof | - | Certificate of Insurance at registration and renewal |
| Penalty (operating w/o registration) | - | Up to $10,000 per day |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Ewa Gentry FAQ
Does my existing homeowner's policy cover STR use?
Often not. Check with your carrier and obtain a written business-liability endorsement before listing the unit.
Do I need coverage even if I use a platform's host protection?
Yes. Platform programs do not satisfy ROH's $1M policy requirement for registration.
Honolulu FAQ
How much liability insurance do I need to operate a short-term rental in Honolulu?
At least $1,000,000 per occurrence in commercial general liability coverage, or homeowner's insurance with business liability coverage that reaches the same limit. ROH §21-5.730, added by Ordinance 22-7 (Bill 41), allows you to stack a homeowner's umbrella policy on top of an HO-3 to meet the minimum, but a standard homeowner's policy by itself almost never qualifies because it excludes commercial rental activity.
Does Airbnb's AirCover or Vrbo's Liability Insurance satisfy Honolulu's STR insurance rule?
Only if the platform policy independently meets the $1,000,000 per-occurrence minimum and the certificate of insurance lists the regulated property. ROH §21-5.730 allows the requirement to be satisfied through hosting-platform coverage, but the burden is on the host to produce a written declaration confirming the coverage meets the minimum, since Airbnb and Vrbo terms can change.
When do I have to show proof of insurance to the city?
At the initial registration of the TVU or B&B home, and again at every annual renewal of the registration certificate with the Department of Planning and Permitting. The Certificate of Insurance must be uploaded with the application and kept current in the on-site informational binder so it can be produced for inspection.
What happens if my STR insurance lapses?
A lapse violates ROH §21-5.730 and the conditions of the registration certificate. DPP can suspend or revoke the registration, which means the property can no longer be advertised or rented for stays under 30 days. Continuing to operate without coverage exposes the owner to fines of up to $10,000 per day under Bill 41's penalty schedule.
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