Is liability insurance required for an adult family home in Washington?

Yes. Washington requires adult family homes to carry liability insurance as a condition of licensure under WAC 388-76-10191, covering both commercial general liability and professional liability.

How much liability insurance does an adult family home need in Washington?

The required minimum limits are $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 in aggregate. Higher limits are available and often add only modest premium.

Does the State of Washington have to be named on an adult family home insurance policy?

Yes. The State of Washington, the department, and its elected and appointed officials, agents and employees must be listed as additional insureds, and the policies must indemnify and hold them harmless for claims arising from the acts or omissions of the licensee, staff, contractors and residents.

What is the difference between general and professional liability for an adult family home?

General liability covers ordinary business risks such as a visitor injured on the premises. Professional liability covers claims arising from the care itself, including allegations of medication administration errors, neglect, and abuse or molestation.

Will homeowner's insurance cover an adult family home?

No. Operating a licensed care business from a residence is commercial activity that personal homeowner's policies typically exclude, and failing to disclose it can jeopardise that policy.

AFH Weekly

The Monday email for Washington adult family homes.

Every licensed home that opened or closed in Washington last week, pulled from the DSHS list each Monday morning. Plus rule changes worth knowing and one straight answer from my guides. Written by me, Henos. My family runs an adult family home in Lynnwood.

Every new AFH licence in the state, by county, every Monday
Homes that closed or changed hands, so you see your market moving
Rule and rate changes that affect your licence, in plain English
Coming soon: AFH-ready homes for sale, checked against the state rules before they reach you

From a recent Monday

26 new licences statewide	week of Aug 31
King 7 · Thurston 4 · Pierce 4 · Spokane 4 · Snohomish 4	by county
5 homes closed, 2 changed ownership	closures
One toilet per five people counts your own family	rule of the week

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