Commercial Auto Insurance
Florida Commercial AutoInsurance
Coverage for your business vehicles, fleets, and drivers. From a single work truck to a full commercial fleet, we have the right policy for your Florida business.
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Commercial Auto Coverage Options
Personal auto policies typically exclude vehicles used for business purposes. Commercial auto insurance fills this gap, covering your business vehicles whether they're used for deliveries, transporting employees, or hauling equipment. In Florida, where contractors rely on work trucks, trailers, and service vehicles, the right coverage is essential to protect your business from a single accident that could otherwise wipe out years of profit.
- Liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage
- Collision and comprehensive coverage
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Medical payments coverage
- Hired and non-owned auto (HNOA) coverage
- Fleet programs for multiple vehicles
Commercial Auto for Florida Contractors
Florida contractors face unique commercial auto exposures. A work truck carrying tools, materials, and employees to job sites is not covered by a personal auto policy — and if an employee has an accident on the way to a job, your business could be liable. Commercial auto insurance covers your company's liability, vehicle damage, and occupant injuries, regardless of whether the driver is you or an employee.
Carriers classify commercial vehicles by their use and gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). Light-use vehicles (pickups, SUVs used for work) are underwritten differently from heavy-use vehicles (dump trucks, concrete mixers, cranes). Vehicles requiring a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) — generally those with a GVWR over 26,000 lbs — have additional underwriting requirements and typically cost more to insure. Bright Coast Insurance works with carriers that specialize in contractor fleets to get competitive rates across all vehicle types.
Solutions for Every Business Type
Single Vehicle
Coverage for a single work truck, van, or service vehicle. Ideal for independent contractors and small businesses with one work vehicle.
Hired & Non-Owned Auto
Protects your business when employees use personal or rented vehicles for work. Essential if your employees ever drive their own cars on company business.
Fleet Program
A single policy for 5 or more vehicles. Fleet programs simplify billing, provide volume discounts, and make it easy to add or remove vehicles as your business grows.
Florida Fact
Florida Has One of the Highest Uninsured Driver Rates
Approximately 1 in 5 drivers in Florida is uninsured. If an uninsured driver hits your work vehicle, the uninsured motorist coverage on your commercial auto policy pays for the damage — without depending on the other driver having insurance. This coverage is especially important for contractor fleets operating in high-density urban areas like Miami, Orlando, and Tampa.
Florida Requirements
Florida Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements
Florida's commercial auto insurance requirements differ significantly from personal auto. Understanding the state's minimum liability limits, PIP rules for commercial vehicles, and the difference between FR-44 and SR-22 filings is essential for any Florida business operating vehicles.
| Coverage Type | Florida Minimum | Recommended for Contractors | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodily Injury Liability (per person) | $10,000 | $100,000–$300,000 | Florida's statutory minimum is low. A single serious injury claim can far exceed $10K. Most commercial contracts require $100K+. |
| Bodily Injury Liability (per accident) | $20,000 | $300,000–$1,000,000 | Multi-person accidents are common. Commercial GCs and property managers typically require $300K–$1M per accident. |
| Property Damage Liability | $10,000 | $100,000–$300,000 | Work trucks often operate near expensive equipment and structures. $10K is insufficient for most commercial job sites. |
| Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | $10,000 (personal vehicles) | Verify with carrier | PIP requirements for commercial vehicles depend on vehicle type and use. Many commercial policies replace PIP with medical payments coverage. |
| Uninsured Motorist (UM) | Optional (must reject in writing) | Match liability limits | ~1 in 5 Florida drivers is uninsured. UM coverage is strongly recommended for contractor fleets operating in urban areas. |
| Hired & Non-Owned Auto (HNOA) | Not required by state | Required if employees use personal vehicles | Covers your business liability when employees drive personal or rented vehicles for work. Inexpensive to add to a GL or commercial auto policy. |
FR-44 Filing
FR-44: Florida's DUI Insurance Requirement
An FR-44 is a certificate of financial responsibility required by Florida for drivers convicted of DUI or DWI. It requires higher liability limits than a standard policy:
- →$100,000 bodily injury per person
- →$300,000 bodily injury per accident
- →$50,000 property damage
If a driver on your commercial policy has an FR-44 requirement, your carrier must file the FR-44 on their behalf. This affects your premium. Bright Coast Insurance works with carriers that accommodate FR-44 drivers on commercial policies.
SR-22 Filing
SR-22: Proof of Financial Responsibility
An SR-22 is required for drivers who have had their license suspended for reasons other than DUI — such as driving uninsured, accumulating too many points, or failing to pay a judgment. Florida SR-22 minimums are:
- →$10,000 bodily injury per person
- →$20,000 bodily injury per accident
- →$10,000 property damage
SR-22 is less common on commercial policies than FR-44, but if a driver on your fleet requires one, your carrier must file it. Bright Coast Insurance can help you find coverage even with SR-22 drivers on your policy.
Key Difference
FR-44 vs SR-22: Which Does Your Driver Need?
FR-44 is exclusively for DUI/DWI convictions and requires significantly higher limits ($100K/$300K/$50K). SR-22 covers other license suspensions and only requires Florida's standard minimums ($10K/$20K/$10K). Both require your insurance carrier to file the certificate directly with the Florida DHSMV — you cannot file it yourself.
Common Questions
Commercial Auto Insurance FAQ
What does commercial auto insurance cover in Florida?+−
Florida commercial auto insurance covers liability for bodily injury and property damage caused by your business vehicles, collision and comprehensive damage to your vehicles, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, medical payments, and hired and non-owned auto liability. Personal auto policies typically exclude vehicles used for business purposes — even if the vehicle is only used part-time for work.
Do I need commercial auto insurance if I use my personal vehicle for work in Florida?+−
Yes. If you regularly use your personal vehicle for business purposes — such as making deliveries, visiting job sites, or transporting tools and equipment — your personal auto policy likely excludes those activities. A commercial auto policy or a hired/non-owned auto endorsement is needed to cover business use. Many contractors discover this gap only after a claim is denied.
When does Florida require a CDL for commercial vehicles?+−
A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required in Florida for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 lbs or more, vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver), or any vehicle transporting hazardous materials requiring placards. Dump trucks, large flatbeds, and concrete mixers commonly require a CDL. Carriers underwrite CDL-required vehicles differently — let us know your vehicle types when requesting a quote.
Can I insure a fleet of vehicles under one commercial auto policy?+−
Yes. Bright Coast Insurance offers fleet insurance programs that cover multiple vehicles under a single commercial auto policy. Fleet programs simplify billing, provide volume discounts, and allow you to add or remove vehicles easily as your business grows. Fleets of 5 or more vehicles typically qualify for fleet rating, which can significantly reduce per-vehicle costs compared to individual policies.
What is hired and non-owned auto coverage and do I need it?+−
Hired and non-owned auto (HNOA) coverage protects your business when employees use their personal vehicles or rented vehicles for work purposes. It covers your business's liability if an employee causes an accident while driving a non-company vehicle on company business. If your employees ever drive their own cars to pick up supplies, meet clients, or run business errands, HNOA is essential — and it's typically inexpensive to add to a commercial auto or general liability policy.