Short-Term Rental Insurance
Airbnb, Vrbo, and direct-booking coverage for Kingston, Prince Edward County, and the 1000 Islands.
If you rent out your home, cottage, or investment property on Airbnb, Vrbo, or any other platform, your standard homeowners policy almost certainly does not cover you when something goes wrong. Shaw Insurance can place a real policy built for hosts, with one local broker handling the whole thing.
Why Work With a Broker for This Coverage?
- Access to multiple insurers, not a single provider
- Advice based on your situation, not a sales script
- Ongoing support at renewal and when claims arise
- A local Kingston advocate who works on your behalf
- No hidden fees. No pressure. Just honest insurance guidance.
Shaw Insurance works for you, not the insurance company.
The Coverage Gap
Most homeowners policies in Ontario quietly exclude commercial rental activity, and that includes renting on Airbnb or Vrbo. Many hosts only find out when they file a claim. Here is the gap, in plain language.
What your homeowners policy covers
-
Personal use of your home
-
Damage from your family or invited guests
-
Liability for social guests
-
Theft of your belongings
-
Fire, water, weather damage during personal use
What your policy usually does not cover
-
Income earned from short-term rentals
-
Damage from paying guests
-
Liability for guest injuries during a paid stay
-
Theft of items left for guest use
-
The same damage during a rental period, in many policies
If you host even occasionally, you likely have a coverage gap. Talk to a local broker who can place the right policy. Get a quote in three minutes.
Isn't Airbnb's AirCover enough?
AirCover is helpful, but it is not full insurance. It has claim caps, the process is controlled by Airbnb rather than by you, it does not apply when you book guests directly, and Airbnb (not you) is the named insured. For most hosts in the Kingston area, AirCover is best understood as a supplement to a real short-term rental insurance policy, not a replacement for one.
What's Covered
Dwelling & Structures
Contents & Furnishings
Commercial Liability
Lost Rental Income
Guest Medical
Amenities
Damage by Guests
Bed Bug & Pest Remediation
Squatter & Unauthorized Stay
Exact coverage and limits vary by carrier and property. Shaw will compare options across multiple insurers and recommend the right fit.
Shaw has been a Kingston-area broker for over 40 years.
We know the properties, the bylaws, and the carriers that actually want to write this business.
We work with hosts across three main markets.
Kingston
The City of Kingston requires every licensed short-term rental to carry liability insurance as a condition of the STR licence. We help local hosts meet that requirement with coverage that goes well beyond a standard endorsement.
Prince Edward County
From Picton waterfront homes to Wellington farmhouses, PEC short-term rentals come with specific risks (well water, septic, lake access, woodstoves). We place coverage built for the County, not generic urban condo policies.
1000 Islands & Rural Lakes
Waterfront cottages around Gananoque, Lansdowne, Westport, and the Frontenac lakes have unique exposures around docks, boats, and seasonal use. We work with carriers who understand these properties.
Hear From Our Customers
Common Questions Answered
Why can't I just use my homeowners policy?
Most homeowners policies in Ontario exclude commercial rental activity, including Airbnb and Vrbo bookings. A claim during a paid stay is often denied on those grounds. A short-term rental policy is built specifically to cover this activity.
Isn't AirCover enough?
AirCover helps, but it has claim limits, a platform-controlled process, and does not apply to direct bookings. Most hosts use AirCover alongside a real policy, not instead of one.
How much does it cost?
Short-term rental policies in Ontario typically run $1,500 to $4,000 per year per property, depending on the property value, location, amenities, and how often you rent. We will quote your specific property.
Do you cover Vrbo and direct bookings too?
Yes. Coverage applies across Airbnb, Vrbo, Furnished Finder, and direct bookings, as long as your property is listed accurately on the policy.
What about the Kingston STR bylaw?
The City of Kingston requires every licensed STR to carry liability insurance. We can provide a certificate of insurance that meets the licensing requirement.
What if I only rent occasionally?
Occasional renting still creates the same coverage gap. Some carriers offer scaled coverage for part-time hosts. We will recommend the right structure for how you actually use the property.
How long does it take to get covered?
Most quotes come back within one business day. Coverage can typically be bound within 24 to 72 hours after that, depending on the carrier and any inspection requirements.
Do you offer a discount for multiple properties?
Yes. If you operate more than one short-term rental, we can structure a portfolio approach that often reduces the per-property cost. Ask us when you request a quote.
