--- title: "Florida Short-Term Rental Insurance: What the Rules Say" description: "What Florida regulators, Citizens Property Insurance and Airbnb's own terms say about insuring a short-term rental, from hurricane deductibles to AirCover." url: https://floridahosts.com/resources/florida-short-term-rental-insurance/ --- ![A house key on a house-shaped keyring handed over at the start of a lease](/images/long-term-rental-management-keys.webp) Hurricanes & Insurance # Florida Short-Term Rental Insurance: What the Rules Say What Florida regulators, Citizens Property Insurance and Airbnb's own terms say about insuring a short-term rental, from hurricane deductibles to AirCover. 10,000+ guest reviews since 2016 · [Call (321) 321-2348](tel:+13213212348) Free rental projection — about a minute Free, no obligation. Prefer to talk? Call [(321) 321-2348](tel:+13213212348). By the Florida Hosts team · October 13, 2026 · Hurricanes & Insurance Insuring a Florida short-term rental means checking three things against official sources: whether your property policy allows nightly or weekly rentals, how wind and flood are covered, and what liability coverage applies to guests. Platform protections such as Airbnb’s AirCover sit on top of that, and Airbnb’s own terms say they do not replace it. ## Who regulates property insurance in Florida? The Florida [Office of Insurance Regulation](https://floir.gov/consumers) (OIR) oversees insurers and publishes consumer tools, including an [Active Company Search](https://companysearch.myfloridacfo.gov/) to confirm an insurer is authorized in Florida. Individual consumer help runs through the Department of Financial Services, whose Insurance Consumer Helpline is 1-877-693-5236. For owners struggling to find a policy, DFS points to the [Florida Market Assistance Plan](https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/ica/shoppingforinsurance), which it describes as a free service that helps find coverage for a Florida home, rental and vacation property. The same DFS page says insurers regulated by OIR must include Ordinance and Law coverage of at least 25% of the coverage amount on the home. ## Will Citizens Property Insurance cover a short-term rental? Citizens Property Insurance Corporation’s own rule on short-term rentals is direct. Its [FAQ on short-term rentals](https://securesupport.citizensfla.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1531/~/does-citizens-provide-coverage-for-short-term-rentals%3F) says Citizens does not offer Personal Residential Multiperil coverage for a property that meets either test: - It is rented to guests more than three times in a calendar year for periods of less than 30 days or one calendar month, whichever is less. - It is advertised or held out to the public as a place regularly rented to guests. Those tests match Florida’s definition of a transient public lodging establishment in [section 509.013(4)(a)1](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0500-0599%2F0509%2FSections%2F0509.013.html), the same definition that makes a home need a DBPR vacation rental license. Citizens’ [Agent Technical Bulletin 006-14](https://securesupport.citizensfla.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1914/~/agent-technical-bulletin-%23006-14:-personal-residential:-short-term-rental) says OIR approved the rule, effective June 1, 2014 for new business and July 1, 2014 for renewals. A property that fails the test and sits in a wind-only eligible area may qualify for a wind-only form: Homeowners 6 Unit-Owners Wind-Only (HW-6), Dwelling Property 2 Wind-Only (DW-2) or Mobile Home Dwelling Property 1 Wind-Only (MD-1). A wind-only form covers wind, so the home’s other risks need separate coverage. Citizens also requires flood insurance on its personal residential policies that include wind, phased in until every such policy needs it from January 1, 2027 ([Citizens flood page](https://www.citizensfla.com/flood)). Our [flood zone guide](/resources/florida-flood-zones-for-rental-owners/) has the schedule. ## What does Florida law require insurers to offer? Florida sets the menu for hurricane deductibles. Under [section 627.701(3)(a)](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699%2F0627%2FSections%2F0627.701.html), before issuing a personal lines residential policy an insurer must offer hurricane deductibles of $500, 2 percent, 5 percent and 10 percent of the policy dwelling limits. The $500 option is not required if the percentage deductible would be less than $500. The same statute says the hurricane deductible applies on an annual basis to all covered hurricane losses in a calendar year ([§627.701(5)(a)1](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699%2F0627%2FSections%2F0627.701.html)). Wind mitigation can lower the premium. OIR’s [wind mitigation page](https://floir.gov/consumers/wind-mitigation-resources) says insurers must give policyholders a notice (Form OIR-B1-1655) on lowering windstorm premiums at issuance and each renewal, and that a completed Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802) is valid for up to five years if the structure is not materially changed. ## What is Airbnb AirCover for Hosts? Airbnb’s [AirCover for Hosts](https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/3142) bundles guest identity verification, reservation screening, $3 million of Host damage protection, $1 million of Host liability insurance and a 24-hour safety line. Airbnb says AirCover isn’t a substitute for personal insurance and tells hosts to ask their insurer how their own policy overlaps. The [Host liability insurance](https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/937) page says it provides $1 million of coverage if a host is found legally responsible for a guest getting hurt or for damage to a guest’s or others’ property. It excludes damage or injury from something done intentionally, notes that other exclusions apply, and sends damage to the host’s own place to Host damage protection instead. ## What does Airbnb say AirCover is not? The [Host Damage Protection Terms](https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2869), last updated August 1, 2026, are explicit. Section 2.5 says the terms are not an insurance contract, do not take the place of insurance, and are not a homeowners insurance contract, and Airbnb strongly encourages hosts to buy insurance for losses the program does not cover. The exclusions that matter most in Florida: - Acts of nature, including earthquakes and weather-related events such as hurricanes and tornadoes - Water, unless contained in a tank, piping system or other processing equipment - Mold, mildew, fungus and other microorganisms - Deterioration, rust, corrosion and lack of maintenance - Interruption of business and loss of use, apart from the narrow Booking Income Loss the terms define The terms also set deadlines. Within 14 days of the guest’s checkout, the host must try to recover the amount from the guest; Airbnb can be asked to pay only if the guest does not. Within 30 days of checkout, the host must file the payment request with evidence. ## Do any Florida cities require insurance for a rental? Some do. Miami Beach requires an owner, before advertising a short-term rental, to swear in an affidavit that insurance covering liability for injury or harm to guests will be in effect at all times while the home is rented ([City Code §102-386](https://library.municode.com/fl/miami_beach/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=SPAGEOR_CH102TA_ARTVLOBUTA_S102-386PROWRERELEPETRREOCSHRMREPR)). Hollywood’s [Vacation Rental License checklist](https://www.hollywoodfl.org/DocumentCenter/View/19221/Vacation-Rental-License-Application-Check-list) asks for a certificate of liability insurance covering injury or harm to occupants and invitees, with an acknowledgment that the coverage stays in effect whenever the home is used as a vacation rental. Our [Miami Beach](/miami-beach/) and [Hollywood](/hollywood/) pages cover the rest of those cities’ rules. ## What should an owner ask their insurance agent? These questions come straight from the rules above: 1. Does the policy allow transient rental use as defined in section 509.013, or does it exclude it? 2. Is wind covered in this policy, or is it a separate wind-only policy? 3. Which hurricane deductible did I choose, in dollars? 4. Is flood covered, by the NFIP or a private policy, and when did it start? 5. What liability limit applies to guests, and does it respond before or after Airbnb’s Host liability insurance? 6. Is loss of rental income covered after a covered loss? 7. Does the policy meet my city’s insurance requirement, if it has one? ## How Florida Hosts helps This guide names no carriers or products; the choice of policy belongs with you and a licensed agent. What we bring is licensing and registration help with the DBPR license, local registration and tax accounts, our own cleaning and maintenance staff across Florida who see the home between every stay, and 24/7 guest communication. Short-term management is 18–25% of booking revenue, quoted in writing; see [pricing](/pricing/) or ask for a [free rental projection](/rental-projection/) within one business day. This guide is general information and not legal or tax advice; confirm coverage with a licensed insurance agent and current rules with OIR, Citizens or the platform. FH Written by the Florida Hosts team We're a vacation rental management company working across Florida. We manage 350+ homes, have earned 10,000+ guest reviews, and bring 10 years of hands-on hosting experience to every guide we publish. [More about Florida Hosts →](/about/) Questions about your specific property? Talk to a real person on our team — straight answers, no scripts. [Call (321) 321-2348](tel:+13213212348) [Get a free projection](/rental-projection/) Free projection · about a minute ## What could your property earn? Tell us about it and we'll build a free, comps-based projection — a real person, not an algorithm, back to you within one business day. Free, no obligation. Prefer to talk? [Call (321) 321-2348](tel:+13213212348) Common Questions ## Frequently Asked Questions Will Citizens Property Insurance cover my Airbnb? Not under a Personal Residential Multiperil policy. Citizens says a property is ineligible for that coverage if it is rented to guests more than three times a calendar year for stays under 30 days or one calendar month, whichever is less, or if it is advertised as a place regularly rented to guests. In a wind-only eligible area, it may qualify for a wind-only policy. Is Airbnb AirCover insurance? Partly. AirCover for Hosts includes $1 million of Host liability insurance, but the $3 million Host damage protection is not insurance: Airbnb's terms say it is not an insurance contract and does not take the place of insurance. Airbnb also says AirCover isn't a substitute for personal insurance. Does AirCover cover hurricane damage? No. Airbnb's Host Damage Protection Terms exclude losses caused by acts of nature, including earthquakes and weather-related events such as hurricanes and tornadoes. What hurricane deductible options must Florida insurers offer? Under section 627.701(3)(a), Florida Statutes, an insurer issuing a personal lines residential policy must offer hurricane deductibles of $500, 2 percent, 5 percent and 10 percent of the policy dwelling limits. The $500 option is not required if the percentage deductible would be below $500. Where can I get help finding coverage for a Florida vacation property? The Florida Department of Financial Services points owners to the Florida Market Assistance Plan (FMAP), which it describes as a free service that helps find coverage for a Florida home, rental and vacation property. DFS also runs an Insurance Consumer Helpline at 1-877-693-5236. Looking for more owner guides? [← Back to all resources](/resources/) [See our pricing](/pricing/) [Get my free projection](/rental-projection/) Related guides ## Keep reading [Hurricanes & Insurance ### Florida Flood Zones: What Rental Owners Need to Know How FEMA flood zones work, how to look up a Florida rental's zone, when flood insurance is required, and what an NFIP policy does and does not cover. Read the guide →](/resources/florida-flood-zones-for-rental-owners/) [Hurricanes & Insurance ### Hurricane Plan for a Florida Vacation Rental Florida hurricane season dates, evacuation zones, what an order means for guests, Airbnb and Vrbo storm refund rules, and a manager's storm checklist. Read the guide →](/resources/hurricane-plan-for-florida-vacation-rentals/) [Hurricanes & Insurance ### Sea Turtle Lighting Rules for Florida Beach Rentals Florida sea turtle nesting season dates from FWC, the low, long and shielded lighting rule, and what Sarasota and Walton County codes require of rentals. Read the guide →](/resources/sea-turtle-lighting-rules-beach-rentals/) ## See what your home could earn Get a free, no-obligation rental projection from people who actually manage homes in your neighborhood. [Get my free projection](/rental-projection/) [or call (321) 321-2348](tel:+13213212348) Free · comps-based · delivered within one business day.