Commercial liability insurance (also called business liability insurance and commercial general liability insurance) protects your Florida business from financial loss resulting from claims of injury or damage cause to others by you or your employees. A policy typically covers:
- Bodily Injury – physical damage to a person other than an employee at your place of business and injuries caused by you or an employee at a client’s home or work place.
- Property Damage – damage caused by you or an employee to someone else’s property.
- Personal Injury – libel, slander, copyright infringement, invasion of property or privacy, wrongful eviction, false arrest and similar acts that cause damage to a person’s reputation or rights.
- Advertising Injury – losses caused by your advertising
- Legal Defense and Judgments – costs to defend against real and frivolous suits and judgments up to the limit of your coverage. Note this generally does not include punitive damages for negligence or willful misconduct.
Florida Minimum Business Insurance Requirements
Commercial Liability Insurance is not mandatory for businesses operating in Florida. Although there is a movement for tort reform in Florida, the state has a reputation for being litigious and the courts are known for awarding large judgments in favor of plaintiffs. If you own property or other valuable assets you would be wise to invest in sufficient commercial general liability coverage for your Florida business to limit your risk exposure.
How Much Florida Liability Insurance Should You Carry?
Each situation is unique, but as a general guideline, the type of Florida business you operate or products you manufacture should determine how much Florida commercial general liability insurance you need. A good rule of thumb for most small businesses is between $500,000 and $1 million. However, if yours is a high-risk business such as the building trades or has a high volume of interaction with the public such as a retail business, you should consider increasing your coverage. Note that if you operate out of your home, your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance has limited coverage for business liability and loss.
How Are Premium Costs Assessed?
Florida commercial liability insurance premiums are based on a number of factors including the types of service or products you provide, the number of people you employ, how long you’ve been in business, and your claims history. Coverage is typically capped at a specific dollar amount for your policy period.
Other Insurance To Consider For Your Florida Small Business
Mandatory
- Workers Compensation Insurance is required for any Florida business with at least four full or part-time employees. Note that partners and sole proprietors do not count as employees in Florida. For the construction industry, workers compensation is required for just one full or part-time employee. Different requirements apply to the agricultural industry.
- Florida requires that all drivers carry minimum automobile insurance. If you use cars or trucks for your business, you are required to purchase a commercial vehicle policy in Florida.
Optional
- Short-Term Disability Insurance
- BOP – Business Owner’s Package
- E&O – Errors & Omissions
- EPLI – Employment Practices Liability Insurance
- Professional Liability
- Product Liability
- Supplemental Hurricane & Flood Damage Insurance