Insurance Requirements: Fairfield vs Vallejo

Does Fairfield require STR hosts to carry liability insurance?

No, Fairfield has no local insurance mandate for short-term rentals because the City does not separately permit sub-30-day rentals in residential zones. Operators of permitted lodging uses (hotels, motels, B&Bs in commercial zones) are expected to maintain commercial general liability insurance as a use permit condition, customarily at $1M-$2M per occurrence. Hosts relying solely on platform coverage (Airbnb AirCover or VRBO Liability) should review exclusions carefully and consider a dedicated short-term rental policy.

Will my homeowners policy cover Airbnb guests?

Almost never. Standard HO-3 and HO-5 policies exclude business or commercial use of the dwelling, which includes short-term rentals. Operating without disclosing the use to your insurer can void coverage on unrelated claims and constitute insurance fraud. Options include a commercial business endorsement, a dedicated STR policy from carriers like Proper, Slice, or CBIZ, or relying on platform-provided coverage as a supplement (not a replacement). Discuss your specific arrangement with a licensed insurance broker before listing.

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 Vallejo requirements. Verify with your local permitting office.