Florida vacation-rental market and licensing
Florida is the nation's vacation-rental capital, with hundreds of thousands of properties listed on Airbnb, Vrbo, and similar platforms. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) requires vacation-rental licensing in most jurisdictions. However, rules are fragmented: counties and cities set their own caps, fees, and inspection standards. Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange, and Duval counties are major vacation-rental markets with strict regulations; some smaller jurisdictions ban short-term rentals entirely.
Why homeowners insurance excludes STRs
Standard homeowners, landlord, and even investor policies exclude regular commercial short-term rental use. If you rent out a property on Airbnb, Vrbo, or by owner-direct channels, your homeowners insurance will deny claims for guest injuries, guest property damage, or business liability. This leaves you personally exposed to claims that can reach tens of thousands of dollars.
What vacation-rental insurance covers
Vacation-rental (STR) insurance is designed for Airbnb/Vrbo and similar short-term rental operations. Coverage typically includes:
- Guest liability. covers injuries to guests staying in your property, including medical and legal costs
- Host property damage. covers damage to your rental contents caused by guests, with negotiated sub-limits by category
- Host liability. covers injuries to third parties (neighbors, service providers) and property damage they suffer
- Loss of income (business interruption). reimburses lost rental income if your property becomes uninhabitable due to a covered peril such as fire, theft, vandalism, or water damage
- Optional event cancellation. reimburses lost income if you must cancel bookings due to a covered cause (hurricane, illness, vendor no-show)
Hurricane and flood exposure
Florida vacation-rental properties face concentrated hurricane and storm exposure during the June–November season. A hurricane can render a property uninhabitable for weeks or months. Loss-of-income coverage is critical because it reimburses the rental income you lose while repairs are ongoing — income on which you may have a mortgage. Many Florida STR owners carry higher loss-of-income limits than they would in other states.
Local ordinances and venue liability
Many Florida cities and vacation-rental listing platforms require STR owners to carry liability insurance and meet minimum limits (often $1 million or higher). Some venues and local ordinances also impose host-liquor-liability requirements if guests bring or consume alcohol. Maru helps you understand your local requirements and ensures your policy meets them.
Why buy vacation-rental insurance through Maru
The Florida vacation-rental insurance market is large and competitive, but rules and rate drivers are hyperlocal. Maru understands Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange, and other major rental markets, compares carriers writing STR policies in your jurisdiction, helps you navigate local licensing and liability requirements, and builds a policy that protects your rental income and your personal assets. A licensed local advisor handles everything at no added cost.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Florida vacation-rental license?
Does my homeowners policy cover my Airbnb or Vrbo guests?
What is loss-of-income coverage?
Can I get STR insurance if my property is in a high-risk flood zone?
Licensed independent insurance agent · WA & FL
Written and reviewed by a licensed Maru advisor. Maru Insurance is an independent agency (WA License WAOIC #1365574, FL License #G363233) representing multiple A-rated carriers across Washington and Florida.
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