Worcester County MA short-term rental operators must carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance per stay under MGL c. 64G, §14. This is a statewide mandate applicable in every Worcester County municipality. Standard homeowner policies typically exclude commercial STR use; hosts usually need a commercial STR rider, landlord policy, or specialized STR insurance. Airbnb Host Protection and Vrbo Liability Insurance may qualify as primary coverage if meeting the $1M threshold and scope.
Insurance for Worcester County STRs is governed by MGL c. 64G, §14 (added by Ch. 337 Acts of 2018), which requires all Massachusetts short-term rental operators to 'maintain liability insurance of not less than $1,000,000 to cover each short-term rental, unless such short-term rental is offered through a hosting platform that maintains equal or greater coverage.' The platform-maintained coverage clause means Airbnb's Host Protection Insurance ($1M coverage) and Vrbo's Liability Insurance generally satisfy the state requirement for bookings on those platforms. However, direct-booking operators (private websites, property management firms, VRBO-but-through-website bookings) must carry their own $1M policy. Standard homeowner policies under MA property insurance (MGL c. 175) typically exclude 'business use' or 'rental' activity, leaving coverage gaps. Options include: (1) commercial STR rider added to homeowner; (2) landlord dwelling policy (DP-3); (3) dedicated STR insurance (Proper Insurance, Slice, CBIZ); (4) umbrella policies. The DOR STR Registration portal requires attestation of coverage. Some Worcester County municipalities (Worcester, Fitchburg) require proof of insurance certificate for local registration. Commercial condominium STRs may also need c. 183A condominium association approval and an endorsement on the master policy. Recent MA case law has enforced the $1M mandate strictly.
Operating without $1M insurance: DOR registration denial/suspension under MGL c. 64G, §14. Uninsured claims: personal liability for host plus platform removal. Potential criminal penalties for false attestation under MGL c. 268, §13. Local permit revocation for failure to maintain proof of insurance.
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