Protect your business vehicles with a Florida commercial auto policy
Many of Florida’s 3.6 million small businesses need commercial auto insurance to protect against liabilities that arise from a variety of incidents involving their work vehicles. Personal auto policies generally don’t cover vehicles used for business because they’re typically exposed to more liability than personal vehicles.
Over 700,000 small business owners across America trust us to insure their commercial vehicles. Each gets customized coverage to match their unique needs, whether they own a real estate business in Tampa or a landscaping company in Orlando.
Commercial auto coverage for a variety of business types:
Florida commercial auto insurance cost
Several factors affect the cost of your Florida commercial auto policy, including your:
Profession
Some industries have more risk than others. An electrician who carries tools and equipment to various job sites every day can expect to pay more than an accountant who runs occasional errands.
Vehicle
Your vehicle’s size and use affect your rate. A large carpet cleaning van with an expensive vacuum system will usually have a higher premium than a small delivery van without any attached equipment.
Driving history
Your commercial insurance carrier will run a motor vehicle report for all drivers with access to your commercial vehicles. Drivers with accidents or violations on their driving record will usually cause your rate to increase. You can expect your insurance company to take the past three years of driving history into account.
Location
It’s common to pay more for commercial auto coverage in a large city like Miami than in a smaller city like Fort Meyers. Keep in mind, locations that experience more claims are usually priced higher than other locations. Areas susceptible to weather-related events, such as hurricanes and floods, are also factors.
Travel radius
The distance you routinely travel can influence your commercial auto rate. A vehicle with a local route within Fort Lauderdale's city limits is considered lower risk than a vehicle with a regional route that covers the entire Florida panhandle.
Coverage needs
The amount of coverage you need affects your rate. Policyholders with the Florida state minimum limits of 10/20/10 will pay less than a policyholder needing a liability limits of $1M.
Florida commercial auto insurance requirements
Florida state law requires a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) to pay for the medical expenses of your drivers and passengers, regardless of who is at fault for an accident. Florida is considered a “no-fault” state, meaning that you can only sue an at-fault driver for injuries once this coverage has been exhausted.
The state’s minimum liability limits are $10,000 per person, $20,000 per accident for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage (i.e., 10/20/10). In Florida, this is referred to as residual bodily injury and property damage (RBI-PD) because it pays in excess of a third-party’s insurance if you’re at-fault. Property damage liability is required, while residual bodily injury is optional.
You might be required to carry higher limits based on the types of vehicles listed on your policy. It’s best practice to select limits that are right for your business, in addition to what’s required by Florida state law.
Florida commercial auto resources:
Common professions that need commercial auto insurance in FL:
Browse more examples of professions we insure.
Commercial auto insurance anywhere in Florida
We offer Florida commercial auto insurance statewide, including these major cities:
- Miami
- Tampa
- Orlando
- Port St. Lucie
- Hialeah
- Jacksonville
- Tallahassee
- St. Petersburg
- Fort Lauderdale
- Cape Coral
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