Insurance Requirements: Madison vs Middleton
How do insurance requirements rules compare between Madison, WI and Middleton, WI?
Madison and Middleton have similar restriction levels.
Madison, WI
Dane County
Madison does not require a specific insurance minimum for STRs, but Tourist Rooming House licensing expects adequate commercial liability coverage. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity.
View full Madison rules →Middleton, WI
Dane County
Dane County and its municipalities (Madison, Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Stoughton) do not mandate a specific STR liability minimum, but Wisconsin tourist rooming house licensing under Wis. Stat. §97.605 and Madison General Ordinances (MGO) Ch. 32 expect hosts to carry adequate coverage. Standard Wisconsin homeowner policies typically exclude commercial rental activity.
View full Middleton rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Madison | Middleton |
|---|---|---|
| City Minimum | Not specified | - |
| Homeowner | Usually excludes STR | - |
| Recommended | 1M liability | - |
| Platform | Secondary only | - |
| Flood | Check near lakes | - |
| State Framework | - | Wis. Stat. §97.605 + ATCP 72 |
| Typical Coverage | - | $500K to $1M recommended |
| Homeowner HO-3 | - | Excludes STR business use |
| Platform Insurance | - | Excess only, not primary |
| Madison Rule | - | MGO Ch. 32 proof required |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Madison FAQ
Does Madison require STR insurance proof?
Not specifically, but you should carry commercial STR liability. Your homeowner policy likely excludes rental activity.
Is Airbnb AirCover enough for my Madison STR?
No, AirCover is secondary. Carry primary commercial coverage of at least 1M liability.
Middleton FAQ
Does Airbnb's AirCover satisfy Dane County insurance requirements?
No. AirCover is secondary coverage. Hosts should carry a primary STR or commercial dwelling policy. Madison's Tourist Rooming House application (MGO Ch. 32) requires proof of primary liability insurance at issuance.
Is my homeowner's policy enough for a Madison STR?
Generally no. Standard HO-3 policies in Wisconsin exclude business pursuits and rentals under 30 days. Contact your carrier for a short-term rental endorsement or a separate DP-3 landlord policy.
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