It is important to use both to verify the viability of STRs in an area.AirDNA can be hit or miss depending on how many rentals are in a specific area, but looking at overall listings on both AirBNB and VRBO can help add to the data points.You have to ask yourself what would bring folks to Rocklin?

He is telling me that I am still covered and that he will call the insurance company on speakerphone so that I can verify coverage.

I had no verifiable work history, some second-hand furniture, thrift store clothes, a salvaged minivan, and -$2000. 

You are obligated to provide the oldest verifiable operating statement (base year), which is adjusted into today's dollars (Using an LA City formula for inflation) and this is compared to your current year (yes with receipts, cancelled checks, bank statements, k1's etc), which can be significant. 

As part of this process, you should look at a rental applicant’s credit report, criminal history and eviction history, verify income and call references and past landlords.

But almost everyone I know says the same thing:You create the listing and send it for approval.You immediately get a call from the automated service verifying some of the facts about the property.Then you sit and wait.

Then verify via the local county office. 

What documents do they require, what credit scores do they allow, how do they verify previous rental history, etc.?

True Joel, but like pulling teeth to get Syndicators to show you their track record, ie actual total returns with breakdowns of distributions + capital appreciation + principal paydown etc, and SEC so loosely governs Real Estate that it's the only investment category that doesn't require standardized return metrics like the 30=day SEC yield on any fixed income product is mandatory, or audited GAAP accounting standards on finacials from public stocks/Reits etc Real estate seems to be still a bit more un-regulated "Wild Wild West" than other parts of the investment economy, but i guess hence the much better returns i've had in real estate, risk = rewards This is why the good sponsors get have audited financials and have a third party verify their track record.

no kidding this is standard Guru tactics.. no way to verify this and now the OP is all gunho.. but hey give it a try its only money.I have been going to a few of my local REIA meetings and about once a month they bring in a guest who is presenting then pitches their program you can buy..