What commercial insurance covers
Commercial insurance is a group of policies that protect a business, not a single product. Most Miami businesses end up with a mix of these:
- General liability. Pays for injury to other people and damage to their property that your business causes, plus legal defense costs. Leases and customer contracts usually ask for it.
- Commercial property. Covers the building if you own it, and your equipment, inventory and improvements either way. It is often paired with business income coverage for the weeks a loss keeps you closed.
- Business owner’s policy. A package that combines general liability and property coverage, usually for smaller businesses with lower-hazard operations.
- Workers’ compensation. Medical care and part of the lost wages for employees hurt on the job. Florida requires it once you pass an employee threshold that depends on your industry. Our workers’ compensation guide has the numbers.
- Commercial auto. Covers vehicles the business owns or uses. A personal auto policy may not cover business use, so check before you assume it does.
- Umbrella and excess liability. Sits on top of general liability, auto and employer’s liability to raise your limits when a contract or a large claim calls for more.
- Specialty coverages. Professional liability, cyber, liquor liability, abuse and molestation, directors and officers, and others, depending on exactly what you do.
Not sure which of these apply to you? Start with what insurance a Florida business needs.
What is different about insuring a business in Miami
Insurance is underwritten and priced by address, so where you operate matters. These are the Miami issues we raise early.
Wind and hurricane season
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Many Florida commercial property policies carry a separate named-storm or windstorm deductible, often a percentage of the insured value of the building rather than a flat dollar amount. On a high-value building, a percentage deductible can mean a very large out-of-pocket cost after a storm. We ask for the deductible stated in dollars so you can decide whether you could pay it.
Flood is usually separate
Standard commercial property policies typically exclude flood. Many properties in Miami-Dade County sit in mapped flood zones, and a lender may require flood coverage as a condition of a loan. Flood is bought separately, and new flood policies often have a waiting period before they take effect, so it is not something to arrange once a storm is in the forecast.
Building age, roof and construction
Carriers look closely at the year a building was built, the roof’s age, type and condition, the construction type, and the age of the electrical, plumbing and air-conditioning systems. Older buildings and older roofs can limit which carriers will quote, or change the terms, for example by paying roof losses on a depreciated basis. Knowing these details before you shop saves time.
Leases, landlords and contracts
Landlords, general contractors and customers often require a certificate of insurance that shows minimum limits and names them as an additional insured. The wording of those requirements matters, and a certificate is only evidence of coverage. It does not change the policy. Send us the contract language early and we will tell you what it asks for.
Many kinds of operations under one roof
Miami businesses range from restaurants, retail shops and offices to contractors, gyms and many others, and one building often houses several of them. Mixed uses can change how a property is rated. Describe everything that happens at the location, not just the main activity.
How we work with Miami businesses
- You tell us about the business. A short form covering what you do, where, your payroll and revenue, and anything a lease or contract requires. Start here.
- We take it to market. We approach carriers that fit your type of risk. Admitted carriers first, surplus lines when the risk calls for it, and we tell you which is which.
- You see a real comparison. Limits, deductibles, exclusions and conditions side by side, with a plain-language recommendation from a licensed agent.
- You decide. If you go ahead, we handle the paperwork and certificates, and we start the renewal conversation well before your policy ends.
What to have ready
- Your legal business name, address and what the business does.
- Annual revenue and payroll, split by type of work if the work varies.
- The number of employees, and whether you use subcontractors or independent contractors.
- For a building: the year built, construction type, roof age and type, square footage, and whether you own or lease it.
- Your current policies and expiration dates, and any claims in the last five years if you have them.
- Any lease or contract language that sets insurance requirements.
You do not need everything to start. We will ask for the rest.
Where we work
We are based in Miami and licensed in Florida, so that is where we work. That includes Miami-Dade County and the rest of the state.
Last reviewed October 13, 2026. This page is general information. It is not legal advice and it is not an offer of coverage.