Insurance Requirements: Kirkland vs Seattle
How do insurance requirements rules compare between Kirkland, WA and Seattle, WA?
Seattle has fewer restrictions than Kirkland.
Kirkland, WA
King County
RCW 64.37.050 requires all Washington short-term rental operators to carry at least 1 million dollars in liability insurance or use a platform that provides equivalent coverage for guests.
View full Kirkland rules →Seattle, WA
King County
Unincorporated King County sets no STR insurance minimum. Hosts should carry a homeowner or landlord policy with an STR endorsement. Airbnb and Vrbo liability programs only supplement private coverage.
View full Seattle rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Kirkland | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| State minimum | 1 million dollars liability | - |
| Source law | RCW 64.37.050 | - |
| Platform option | Airbnb and VRBO qualify | - |
| Homeowner policy | Usually excludes STR | - |
| Proof required | On license renewal | - |
| County Minimum | - | None required |
| Recommended | - | $1M liability |
| Homeowner Policy | - | Often excludes STR |
| Airbnb AirCover | - | Up to $1M |
| Vrbo Liability | - | Up to $1M |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Kirkland FAQ
Does Airbnb coverage satisfy the Washington requirement?
Yes, the Airbnb Host Liability program provides the 1 million dollar minimum, but the coverage only applies to bookings made through Airbnb and not to off-platform or direct bookings.
Does my homeowner policy cover an STR?
Most standard homeowner policies exclude income-producing lodging use; you should purchase an STR endorsement or separate commercial policy to avoid coverage gaps.
Seattle FAQ
Does King County require short-term rental insurance?
No. Unincorporated King County does not set a mandatory insurance minimum for STRs. Hosts should still carry appropriate liability and property coverage through a private policy or STR endorsement since standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity.
Is Airbnb host insurance enough coverage for a King County STR?
Airbnb AirCover provides up to $1 million in host liability and damage protection for Airbnb bookings, but it is designed to supplement private insurance and only covers Airbnb bookings. Hosts should maintain a dedicated STR or landlord policy for full protection.
Compare other topics
See how Kirkland and Seattle compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool