Massachusetts Statewide Rule
Massachusetts Short-Term Rental Liability Insurance Mandate
Key Facts
- Minimum Coverage
- $1,000,000 liability
- Statute
- M.G.L. c. 175 § 4F
- Platform Exception
- If platform provides equal coverage
- Scope
- All MA short-term rentals
Summary
Massachusetts law requires short-term rental operators to maintain at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance covering each rental, unless intermediary provides equal coverage.
Section 4F. (a) As used in this section, the terms ''hosting platform'', ''operator'' and ''short-term rental'' shall have the same meanings as under section 1 of chapter 64G unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (b) An operator shall 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. Such coverage shall defend and indemnify the operator and any tenants or owners in the building for bodily injury and property damage arising from the short-term rental.
Full Breakdown
Under M.G.L. c. 175 § 4F, every short-term rental operator must maintain liability insurance of not less than $1,000,000 to cover each short-term rental, unless the rental is offered through a hosting platform that maintains equal or greater coverage. The policy must defend and indemnify the operator and the building's tenants for bodily injury and property damage. The short-term rental framework and its definitions appear in c. 64G, enacted by Chapter 337 of the Acts of 2018, and the insurance duty applies statewide.
Violations & Penalties
Operating without required insurance violates state law and may result in registration suspension and civil penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Airbnb's host protection satisfy this?
Can a city require more insurance?
Sources
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