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

King County has no ordinance setting a minimum liability insurance amount for short-term rental operators in unincorporated areas. Hosts carry responsibility to protect themselves from guest injuries, property damage, and liability claims. Standard homeowner insurance policies often do not cover commercial short-term rental activity, and many policies exclude or limit coverage once a dwelling is rented for fewer than 30 days. Hosts should contact their carrier to add a short-term rental endorsement, convert to a landlord policy, or purchase a dedicated short-term rental policy from carriers that specialize in vacation rentals. Recommended coverage typically includes at least $1 million in general liability, plus replacement-cost dwelling coverage, personal property coverage, loss of use, and an umbrella policy for higher-net-worth hosts. Airbnb provides AirCover for Hosts, which includes host liability up to $1 million and host damage protection, and Vrbo offers a similar Liability Insurance program. These platform programs are designed to supplement, not replace, private insurance, and they only apply to bookings made through the platform. Hosts who rent directly (via their own website or direct bookings) have no platform coverage and must rely entirely on private insurance. Some rural properties in unincorporated King County may also need wildfire-specific coverage, particularly in Cascade foothill areas.