Florida Contractors: Insurance That Fits the Way You Work

If you run a trade business in Florida, the right insurance package can be quoted and bound in days, not weeks. At Schneider & Associates Insurance Agencies, we're an independent agency in Jonesville, so we shop your business across multiple carriers, including Progressive Commercial, to find coverage built for small and mid-sized contractors.

Florida keeps building. Between population growth, hurricane repairs and a steady stream of remodels, there is no shortage of work for plumbers, painters, electricians, HVAC techs and cleaning crews. But general contractors, homeowners and property managers increasingly won't let you on the job without proof of insurance. A Business Owner's Policy (BOP) is often the simplest, most affordable way to get there.

Florida trades we can help insure

We can quote a wide range of small and mid-sized contractors through Progressive, often in minutes. If your business does one of the following, we'd like to hear from you:

• HVAC and refrigeration: air conditioning installation, service and repair; HVAC dealers; commercial refrigeration systems
• Plumbing: residential and commercial plumbing service and repair
• Electrical: electricians handling residential and light commercial work
• Carpentry and interiors: interior and exterior carpentry, wood floor installation, drywall, metal ceiling and wall installation, plastering and stucco
• Flooring and tile: floor covering installation and interior tile, stone and marble work
• Painting and finishing: interior and exterior painting, paper hanging, interior sign painting
• Exteriors: siding installation, fence erection, metal doors and windows, glass sales and installation
• Concrete and masonry: concrete work, masonry, and driveway, parking lot and sidewalk repair
• Outdoor services: landscape gardening, lawn sprinkler installation and repair, power washing
• Cleaning services: commercial cleaning, residential cleaning, carpet cleaning, window cleaning and septic tank cleaning
• Installers and handypersons: appliance installation and repair, furniture and fixture installation, home furnishings installation, insulation, and handyperson services

Don't see your trade? As an independent agency, we work with several carriers. Call us anyway, and we'll find the right fit.

What a Business Owner's Policy does for a contractor

A BOP bundles the core coverages most small contractors need into one policy, usually at a lower price than buying them separately.

• General liability: covers claims that your work caused bodily injury or property damage, like a ladder that scratches a client's floors or a customer who trips over your equipment.
• Commercial property: protects your shop, office, inventory and business equipment if you own or rent a space.
• Business income: helps replace lost income if a covered loss, such as a fire, shuts down your operations.
• Tools and equipment: contractors can add coverage for the tools and gear you haul from job to job, which is often the most valuable property a trade business owns.

Prefer liability only? If you don't have a shop or much equipment, a standalone general liability policy may fit better. We'll help you compare.

Round out your protection

Most contractors need more than a BOP. These coverages can be added or quoted alongside it:

• Commercial auto: your work trucks and vans aren't covered by a personal auto policy when they're used for business. Quoting your BOP and commercial auto together saves time and can unlock a multi-policy discount.
• Cyber liability: if you take card payments, store customer addresses or use scheduling software, a data breach or ransomware attack can cost thousands to clean up. Learn about cyber coverage.
• Employment practices liability (EPL): protects you against claims from employees or applicants alleging discrimination, harassment or wrongful termination. More on EPL.
• Equipment breakdown: covers mechanical or electrical failure of equipment at your business location.

What Florida contractors should keep in mind

• Licensing: many Florida contractor licenses require proof of general liability insurance to obtain or renew. We can provide certificates quickly so you never miss a permit or a job.
• Workers' compensation: Florida requires construction businesses with even one employee to carry workers' comp unless an exemption applies. A BOP does not include workers' comp, but our agency writes workers' comp, and we can quote it at the same time.
• Hurricane season: wind and storm damage can shut down your shop and wreck your equipment. Review your property, business income and tools coverage before June, not after a storm is in the forecast. Flood is excluded from a standard BOP, so ask us about separate flood coverage for your location.
• Certificates and additional insureds: general contractors and property managers often require you to name them on your policy. We handle those requests so you can stay on the job.

Ways to save

• Pay in full: paying your annual premium up front can earn a discount.
• Bundle your policies: combining your BOP with commercial auto, or even your personal auto, can lower your total cost.
• Pre-built packages: contractor-specific coverage packages give you the right protections with built-in savings, so you're not paying for coverage you don't need.

Get a quote today

Whether you're a one-truck handyperson in Alachua County or an HVAC company running several crews across North Central Florida, Schneider & Associates can help you find the right coverage at the right price. As an independent agency, we work for you, not for one insurance company.

Call us at (352) 333-3775 or request a quote online. Have your business details, annual payroll and a list of your vehicles and equipment handy, and we'll take it from there.

Coverage availability, eligibility and discounts vary by carrier and business type and are subject to underwriting approval.