Short-term rental insurance in California

The homeowners or landlord policy on your California vacation rental was not designed for Airbnb or VRBO guests, and it usually won't pay out for them. Short-term rental insurance covers what is missing: the structure, host liability for guest injuries, and the booking income a covered event like wildfire can wipe out.

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One of California's top short-term rental insurers.

Eric Martin

I had a quote within half an hour and then connected them with my mortgage lender for closing via email. Very easy to work with.

Elizabeth Oreo

They respond quickly and communicate well. I was able to get the policy I needed to convert my vacation home to Airbnb.

Arnold Chambers

The process of getting a landlord policy was very smooth. A few text messages, and the price was great, new policy saved us over $600!

Protect your property with short-term rental insurance in California

California’s short-term rental laws vary across cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. Airbnb hosts and property managers must stay current with local regulations and liability requirements.

Steadily offers flexible short-term rental insurance that protects homes, condos, and vacation rentals statewide. California property owners get coverage for damage, guest injuries, and more, all in one affordable policy.

Before your next guest checks in to your California rental, Steadily’s coverage is built for exactly this kind of hosting, so you can keep taking bookings with confidence.

Who is short-term rental insurance for?

Short-term rental insurance protects your investments when they are rented as a vacation rental, Airbnb, VRBO, etc. Short-term rental insurance covers rental periods as short as one night. This insurance offers coverages for:

Legal liabilities

Fire and water damage

Financial protection against natural disasters

Protection for your furnishings

What does short-term rental insurance cover?

We cover a wide range of risks, or you can choose a limited set of coverages for a lower premium

Fire

Covers damage from fire, smoke and related events, such as wildfires, accidental kitchen fires or electrical fires caused by malfunctioning appliances.

Legal liability

Landlord liability insurance pays medical bills, legal defense, and settlements when a tenant or visitor is injured at your rental. Steadily writes $300K-$2M of liability into every landlord policy in all 50 states. Quote in two minutes.

Water

Covers certain water damage not caused by flooding, including burst pipes, HVAC leaks and plumbing overflows.

Storm and hail

Covers damage to your rental property caused by storms, hail, wind and lightning - such as fallen trees or hail punctures in roofing structures.

Loss of rent

Covers lost rental income for when your rental becomes uninhabitable due to covered perils, or while the repairs are being made.

Vandalism & burglary

Covers damage made to your rental property by a burglar or a vandal, such as broken windows or defacements made to walls or exterior structures.

Riot & civil commotion

Covers damage to your rental property caused by riots, civil unrest, and public disturbances.

Short-term vs. long-term rentals explained

Short-term rentals

Stays that are 30 days or less at a time.

Rented in short stays

Guests book by the night or week, cycling through constantly instead of one household staying put. A short-term rental policy is priced for that turnover.

Furnished space for paying guests

You supply the beds, furniture, and everything guests use.

Rental income rises and falls with bookings

Revenue is variable and business-like, and loss of rent coverage can replace bookings lost after a covered event.

Requires an STR policy or endorsement

An STR carries a meaningfully different risk profile than a long-term rental. Having the wrong policy can result in coverage gaps and claims being denied.

Long-term rentals

A tenant's permanent residence.

Leased for months or years

One tenant signs a lease and lives there full-time; there's no nightly turnover.

A different risk profile

A single long-term tenant creates far less turnover and guest liability than a stream of nightly visitors, so it's underwritten differently.

Steady rent, tied to a lease

Using a homeowners policy for a rental property can create major coverage gaps.

Does not require an STR policy or endorsement

A tenant-occupied rental calls for a landlord policy built around long-term tenants.

Not sure if your STR is covered? Enter your address and get a free quote instantly:

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How much short-term rental insurance costs in California

Expect a short-term rental policy to cost roughly 15% to 25% more than the landlord policy you would buy for a long-term tenant since insurers price in the added risk that comes with paying guests.

In California, wildfire risk is one of the bigger reasons a premium can land at the upper end of that range.

Your rate reflects the property's replacement cost, its occupancy, local risk, and how much liability and income protection you carry.

For the precise cost on your home, a quick quote is the fastest answer.

Short-term rental rules every California host should know

Before you list a California property, it's worth checking the local ordinance, because short-term rental rules there vary from one municipality to the next. Our California short-term rental law guide lays out what to look for.

Many jurisdictions require registration and a permit number that has to appear on your listing, along with occupancy caps and basic safety requirements.

Budget for transient occupancy or hotel taxes on each stay, and check whether your platform remits them or leaves the filing to you.

Many permit applications now include an insurance requirement, so a short-term rental policy can be both a legal box to check and your real protection against a claim.