Playing Hooky, Fishing With My Boys, and Thinking About That Second Home

Aug 20

7 min read

Every once in a while, you need to play hooky.

I recently traded the office for a fishing rod and spent the day fishing with my boys. No insurance meetings. No emails. No staring at policy documents. Just some time on the water, a couple of fishing poles, and the kind of day that reminds you why we work so hard in the first place.

And somewhere between trying to catch fish and enjoying the time with my boys, my insurance-agent brain naturally kicked back on.

I started thinking: Wouldn't it be great to own a place where we could do this more often?

Maybe a cabin.

Maybe a little place near the water.

Maybe somewhere we could escape to on weekends and eventually rent out when we're not using it.

It's a conversation I hear from clients around Tacoma all the time. And if I'm thinking about it, I know plenty of other people are too.

But here's the insurance-agent part of me coming out:

Buying a second home isn't quite as simple as buying another homeowners insurance policy.

If you're considering a vacation home, cabin, Airbnb, or rental property in Washington, there are a few things you should understand before you buy.

Is a Second Home Insured Differently Than Your Primary Home?

Usually, yes.

Your primary residence is where you live most of the time. An insurance company understands how that property is being used and can price the risk accordingly.

A second home can be different.

Maybe it's vacant for weeks at a time.

Maybe it's in a more remote location.

Maybe you rent it out occasionally.

Maybe you rent it out all the time.

Those details matter.

The insurance company needs to know how you're actually using the property because that determines what type of coverage you need.

And this is where I always tell people: don't try to save a few dollars by being vague about how you're using the house.

You want your insurance company to understand the risk before there's a claim—not after one.

What If It's Just a Vacation Home?

Let's say I find that perfect fishing cabin.

My family uses it on weekends and during the summer, but nobody lives there full-time.

That property may need a second-home or seasonal-home policy rather than the same type of homeowners policy we carry on our primary residence.

Insurance companies may look at things like:

How frequently the property is occupied
Where it's located
Distance from fire protection
The home's age and condition
Heating and plumbing systems
Whether anyone rents the property
Whether there are docks, boats, outbuildings, or other features

A cabin sitting empty for three weeks has different risks than a house that's occupied every day.

Imagine a pipe breaks on Monday.

At your primary residence, you'll probably notice it pretty quickly.

At your vacation property?

You might not discover it until Friday night.

That's a very different insurance risk.

What If You Want to Rent the Property?

This is where the conversation becomes even more important.

Maybe you're thinking:

"We'll use the house ourselves most of the time, but we'll Airbnb it a few weekends each month."

Or maybe you're buying a house specifically as a long-term rental.

Those are different situations, and your insurance should reflect that.

Long-Term Rental Properties

If you purchase a property and rent it to a tenant, you'll generally need insurance designed for a landlord or rental property rather than a standard homeowners policy.

The policy may help protect the structure and provide liability coverage for you as the property owner.

Your tenant should typically have their own renters insurance to protect their personal belongings and provide their own liability protection.

Short-Term Rentals

Short-term rentals can get more complicated.

If you're renting your property through Airbnb, Vrbo, or another platform, don't automatically assume your homeowners or second-home policy covers that activity.

Some policies may offer endorsements or options for occasional short-term rentals. Other situations may require coverage specifically designed for short-term rental properties.

The important thing is to have the conversation before you start accepting reservations.

"But Airbnb Has Insurance, Right?"

This comes up a lot.

Short-term rental platforms may provide certain protections for hosts, but I wouldn't treat platform-provided protection as a substitute for having the right insurance on your property.

You want to understand:

What your own policy covers
What the platform may cover
Where exclusions exist
What happens if a guest is injured
What happens if a guest damages the property
What happens if you lose rental income after a covered loss

Those are questions worth answering before someone you've never met is sleeping in your house.

Don't Forget About Liability

Whenever we talk about second homes and rental properties, people naturally focus on the building.

I'm also thinking about liability.

Imagine owning a cabin on a lake.

Now imagine a guest slips on the dock.

Or someone falls down the stairs.

Or a tree comes down and damages a neighboring property.

Or a tenant's guest is injured at your rental.

Owning additional property can mean taking on additional liability exposure.

That's why purchasing a second home or rental property is also a good time to review the liability limits on all of your insurance policies.

It may even be worth discussing an umbrella insurance policy, which can provide additional liability protection above certain underlying home and auto policies.

What About Everything Inside the House?

This is another detail that's easy to overlook.

If it's your vacation home, you might have:

Furniture
TVs
Fishing equipment
Outdoor gear
Appliances
Tools
Personal belongings

If it's a furnished rental, you may own nearly everything inside the property.

Your insurance should account for that.

The amount and type of personal property coverage you need can depend on whether the property is for personal use, long-term rental, short-term rental, or some combination.

What If the Property Is Near the Water?

Considering how this whole idea started while I was fishing, I'd definitely be looking near the water.

And waterfront property creates another conversation.

Flooding is generally not covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy.

If you're looking at a home, cabin, or rental property near a lake, river, creek, Puget Sound, or another body of water, flood exposure is something you should investigate.

Don't wait until after you've closed on the property to ask about it.

In fact, this leads to one of the biggest pieces of advice I give anyone shopping for a second home.

Call Your Insurance Agent Before You Buy the Property

Not after closing.

Before.

Insurance should be part of your due diligence.

I've seen people fall in love with a property and start running numbers on the mortgage, taxes, rental income, maintenance, and renovations.

Then insurance gets treated like an afterthought.

I'd rather have you call us while you're still considering the property.

We can talk about how you plan to use it and help you understand what insurance considerations could come with it.

Sometimes those conversations uncover things you hadn't considered.

That's much better than finding out after you've signed the paperwork.

Second Home vs. Rental Property Insurance: The Simple Answer

If you're wondering what insurance you need for a second property, here's the simplest way I can explain it:

The right insurance depends on what the property is and how you use it.

A family vacation cabin, a long-term rental, and a short-term Airbnb may all require different insurance solutions.

That's why there isn't one universal "second-home insurance policy" that's right for everybody.

This is also where working with a local insurance agency can be valuable.

Instead of trying to figure everything out yourself, you can explain what you're buying and what you want to do with it, and we can help you understand your options.

Thinking About Buying a Second Home or Rental Property in Washington?

Maybe your version isn't a fishing cabin.

Maybe you've been thinking about a place in Gig Harbor.

A cabin near Mount Rainier.

A weekend place on the Peninsula.

A rental property in Tacoma.

Or maybe you've been scrolling through waterfront listings and telling yourself you're "just looking." playing-hooky-fishing-with-my-boys-and-thinking-about-that-second-home

I get it.

Apparently, one fishing trip with my boys is enough to get me doing the same thing.

But if you're seriously considering buying a second home, vacation property, or rental property, make insurance part of the conversation early.

At Barr Insurance Agency in Tacoma, WA, we can help you understand how insuring a second property may differ from insuring your primary residence and help you find coverage that fits how you actually plan to use the property.

Get a Free Insurance Review

Already own a second home or rental property?

We'll review your existing insurance with you, explain your coverage in plain English, and help identify potential gaps.

Our insurance reviews are free, and there's no obligation.

Get a Free Insurance Quote

Shopping for a second home or investment property?

Let us take a look before you close.

Contact Barr Insurance Agency in Tacoma for a free insurance quote and let's make sure the property you're excited about buying is also properly protected.

And if you know of a great fishing cabin for sale...

Maybe don't send that one to me.

My wife might prefer that I stick to selling insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Second Home and Rental Property Insurance

Do I need different insurance for a second home in Washington?

Potentially. Insurance needs depend on how frequently the property is occupied, its location, condition, and whether it's rented to others. A second home may require different coverage than your primary residence.

Does homeowners insurance cover an Airbnb or Vrbo?

You shouldn't assume that it does. Short-term rental activity may be limited or excluded under some homeowners policies. Talk with your insurance agent about how frequently you rent the property and whether additional or specialized coverage is appropriate.

What insurance do I need for a rental property in Tacoma?

A property rented to tenants will typically require insurance designed for a landlord or rental property. Your specific coverage needs depend on the property and how it's rented.

Do tenants need renters insurance?

Landlord insurance generally protects the property owner's interests, not all of a tenant's belongings or liabilities. Requiring or encouraging tenants to maintain renters insurance can help clarify those responsibilities.

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding at a waterfront property?

Standard homeowners policies generally exclude flooding. Depending on the property's location and risk, separate flood insurance may be worth considering.

Should I get an insurance quote before buying a second home?

Yes. Getting an insurance quote before closing can help you understand the property's potential insurance costs and uncover coverage considerations before you complete the purchase.

Can Barr Insurance Agency insure second homes and rental properties?

Barr Insurance Agency can help Tacoma and Washington property owners evaluate insurance options based on the property, location, and intended use. Contact us for a free quote or free insurance review.