Quick answer
Commercial property insurance covers your building, if you own it, and the equipment, inventory and furnishings inside, with business income coverage available for revenue lost after a covered loss. In Florida, the named-storm or hurricane deductible and the coinsurance clause often matter as much as the limit. Older and coastal buildings may need an excess and surplus lines market.
Coverage Overview
Commercial property insurance covers more than just the building - and in Florida, how a policy handles named-storm wind damage often matters as much as the coverage limit itself.
What commercial property coverage typically includes
- Building coverage for the structure itself, if you own it
- Business personal property coverage for equipment, inventory, furnishings, and fixtures
- Business income coverage for lost revenue and ongoing expenses if a covered loss forces you to close temporarily
Carriers we compare
Standard risks are placed through our commercial markets, and coastal or older buildings that don't fit standard underwriting are placed through excess & surplus lines access via Tapco Underwriters, RPS, and program administrator ISC, plus Great American for equipment breakdown and inland marine coverage on specialized equipment.
Commercial Property Insurance FAQ
What's the difference between building coverage and business personal property coverage?
Building coverage insures the structure itself. Business personal property covers what's inside it - equipment, inventory, furniture - and is a separate limit that needs its own accurate valuation, especially for inventory-heavy businesses.
Does commercial property insurance include lost income after a covered loss?
Only if business income coverage is added - it's not automatic. Without it, a fire or storm that shuts you down for months could leave you covering rent and payroll with no income to offset it.
Why do some Florida commercial buildings need excess & surplus lines coverage?
Older buildings, coastal locations, and certain construction types can fall outside what standard carriers will write at a reasonable rate. Excess & surplus (E&S) markets exist specifically to underwrite risks the standard market won't take on comparable terms.
What it usually doesn't cover
- Flood from rising water or storm surge. Flood insurance →
- Lost income, unless business income coverage is added.
- Equipment breakdown, unless added.
- Liability to others. General liability insurance →
Every policy is different. Your declarations page and policy form decide what's covered.
Have this ready before you ask for a quote
- Address, year built, construction type and square footage
- Roof age and type, and electrical, plumbing and HVAC updates
- Building value, if you own it, and contents value
- Wind mitigation or other inspection reports
- Sprinklers, alarms and occupancy (what's done in the building)
- Prior claims for the last five years
Don't have everything? Send what you have; an agent will ask for the rest. Coverage can't be bound or changed through this website.