Kirkland, WA Short-Term Rentals: Insurance Requirements (2026)

Under the Washington Short-Term Rental Act (RCW 64.37.050), every STR operator in Kirkland must either carry commercial liability insurance with at least 1 million dollars in combined single-limit coverage for each STR unit or offer the unit exclusively through a marketplace platform that provides equivalent liability coverage. Major platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO provide Host Liability and Host Damage programs that meet this statutory minimum, but operators who advertise through smaller or direct-booking channels must purchase standalone STR insurance. Standard homeowner insurance usually excludes commercial lodging, and operators should either add a short-term rental endorsement or switch to a dedicated STR policy that covers guest injuries, theft, and property damage. Kirkland business license holders may be asked to provide proof of insurance on renewal, and landlords typically require tenants to show proof of renters insurance with STR endorsement if subletting is allowed. RCW 64.37.050 also requires operators to post insurance information and emergency contact details inside the rental, and failure to maintain required coverage can result in revocation of the Kirkland business license. Operators should also consider umbrella liability and loss-of-rents coverage in case a covered claim closes the unit for repairs, and should verify that platform coverage applies to every stay rather than only to certain booking paths.