Insurance Requirements: Kennesaw vs Smyrna

Does Kennesaw require liability insurance for an Airbnb?

Yes. Chapter 22, Article XIII requires every Short-Term Rental Certificate applicant to submit proof of short-term-rental liability insurance. The published application checklist does not list a specific dollar minimum, so carriers' standard $1 million per occurrence STR product typically satisfies the requirement.

Will my homeowner policy meet Kennesaw's STR insurance requirement?

Usually not. Standard Georgia homeowner forms exclude commercial or transient rental use under 30 days. The Business License Office expects a dedicated short-term rental, vacation rental, or commercial general liability policy that covers transient lodging.

Is Airbnb's host protection enough for Kennesaw?

AirCover for Hosts provides up to $1 million per occurrence but only for bookings made through Airbnb and with significant exclusions. Hosts using multiple platforms or direct bookings should carry a stand-alone STR or commercial general liability policy to satisfy the certificate requirement.

Does Smyrna require Airbnb hosts to carry liability insurance?

Yes. Smyrna's Short-Term Rental Ordinance (Ch. 22, Art. XI) requires proof of liability insurance as part of the STR License application. The published code does not list a specific minimum dollar amount - applicants should call the Smyrna Business License Coordinator at 678-631-5363 to confirm the current acceptable coverage limit.

Will my homeowners policy satisfy Smyrna's STR insurance requirement?

Usually not. Standard HO-3 homeowners policies typically exclude commercial or short-term rental use. Most insurers recommend adding a short-term rental endorsement or buying a landlord/STR policy. Airbnb's AirCover and Vrbo's Liability Insurance provide secondary coverage on covered bookings but generally aren't a substitute for a primary host policy when you submit your COI to the city.