Florida requires commercial auto insurance for business vehicles, with set limits for personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL) coverage. Luckily, Kemper Auto is a trusted provider with over 100 years of experience and a BBB A+ rating, so we can help you understand what you need to cover your business vehicle.
On this page, you will find what you need to know about Florida auto insurance requirements, coverage options, and how to get personalized, affordable quotes.
If you use a vehicle for business tasks like carrying materials between sites or visiting clients, you need to carry commercial auto insurance. Under Florida state law, businesses that own, lease, or regularly use vehicles for work purposes must carry commercial auto insurance, with minimum coverage limits of:
- $10,000 PIP
- $10,000 PDL
If your employees also use their personal vehicles to complete work activities, you may need hired and non-owned auto coverage (HNOA) to help cover costs if they are in an accident.
Auto insurance requirements in Florida are overseen by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which regulates compliance across the state. Not maintaining proper coverage when you are on the road can result in penalties, fines, or suspension of your license and driving privileges. Make sure your vehicle meets all state auto insurance requirements to help keep your business functioning smoothly.
If you want flexibility in your auto insurance options for your Florida business, the good news is that there are various coverage types to choose from. Here are the common options and how they can protect your business vehicle(s):
Optional Coverage
At Kemper, we also offer additional coverage options to make covering unforeseen events easier for you and your business. A couple of other coverages not required by law that we offer are:
- General liability: Can cover certain business liability events
- Roadside Assistance: Can help with essential services like towing, battery jumps, lockouts and more
- Car rental reimbursement: Helps cover the cost of a temporary replacement vehicle while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered accident
Speak with a Kemper Auto agent about your business and vehicles so you can choose the right commercial auto insurance coverage options for your situation.
Who needs coverage for commercial car insurance in Florida?
Whether your business needs commercial car insurance depends on whether you use any vehicles for business use, even in the most minimal sense. In Florida, commercial auto insurance generally applies to a range of vehicles, including cars, pickup trucks, and vans, within certain specifications.
- Business-owned vehicles: Vehicles owned by a company and used for transporting tools, equipment, employees, and more.
- Employee-owned vehicles used for work: If employees use their personal vehicles for business tasks, like deliveries or visiting clients.
- Leased or financed vehicles: Vehicles that are leased or financed and used for business purposes may require commercial auto insurance, particularly with collision and comprehensive coverage.
- Contractors (construction, electrical, plumbing, HVAC)
- Landscapers and lawn care
- Delivery services (and couriers)
- Food trucks (and mobile vendors)
- Service providers (cleaning and janitorial, for example)
At Kemper, we cover a variety of vehicle body types and insure business vehicles from a range of industries, with over 6,000 occupations. If you need commercial car insurance in Florida, Kemper can help.
Commercial auto insurance costs can have a lot to do with personal and local factors. Not everyone’s price will look the same, especially due to different business operations, driver profiles, and unique environments based on ZIP codes. Some of the main factors that may impact your premium are:
- Driving record: Maintaining a clean driving history can lower your premiums.
- Vehicle (age, make, model, usage)
- Business location: Where you garage your work vehicle can impact pricing.
- Business type: Higher-risk industries may end up paying more for auto insurance.
- Coverage limits: The higher limits you have, typically the more costly your premiums will be.
- Deductibles: Higher deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage can lead to lower premium prices.
- Claims history: Frequent or severe losses due to accidents can raise rates.
- Area-specific risks: Florida has unique risks due to natural events like hurricanes, flooding, storms, and others that increase physical damage claims and can lead to higher insurance costs. Also, insurance may be more costly in high-traffic areas like Miami, Tampa, and Orlando.
- Flexible payments: Auto insurance providers, like Kemper Auto, offer payment options that can lead to reduced pricing, like a discount for paying your premium in full.
- Prior coverage: A consistent insurance history can signal reduced risk as a driver and can lower your rates.
- Multi-vehicle: You can insure multiple vehicles under one policy, and insurers like Kemper Auto can offer a discount.
- Telematics (Kemper Copilot): Consider using tracking systems that may help you save.
Once you have the necessary details and documents, you can begin the process of activating your policy:
- Apply: Online, by phone, or with a local agent
- Initial underwriting: Insurers review your information
- Get a quote: Obtain your quote once your information has been processed. You can get a personalized quote in minutes with Kemper Auto today! Remember, a quote is not always your final price and may change after underwriting is complete.
- Activate policy: Make your payment, usually choosing monthly installments or paying in full, and start your coverage.
Choosing the right auto insurance provider for you means finding one that aligns with your priorities, whether that’s flexibility, affordability, or reliability. Here are key factors you may want to consider:
- Coverage flexibility: Look for an insurer that can tailor coverage to your business and make sure you comply with state law.
- Claims process: A smooth and responsive claims process can matter a lot, especially when car accidents or other unforeseen events can be stressful.
- Financial strength: Research providers that have the financial stability to pay claims reliably.
- Agent availability: Often, having access to local agents can make a difference as they can help you understand your options and provide personalized support.
