HOMEOWNERS
AUTO
BOAT
MOTORCYCLE
RENTERS
COMMERCIAL
UMBRELLA
HEALTHCARE
FLOOD
UBER

850-378-2500

6705 Pine Forest Rd - Suite 300
Pensacola, FL  32526
Fax : 850-807-5071

Contact your local Agent
Call : 850-378-2500 or

Commercial Auto Insurance

What is Commercial Auto Insurance?

GreatFlorida Insurance offers commercial auto insurance (e.g., truck insurance) policies to protect against liabilities for property damage and bodily injury.

You can’t control what people do behind the wheel, but you can give yourself optimum protection with a sound insurance policy.

Florida commercial auto insurance insures your vehicles for physical damage and liability coverage for amounts, situations and usage not covered by a personal auto policy.

This type of business insurance covers a variety of vehicles and is also referred to as commercial car insurance, truck insurance, or fleet insurance.

Whether you currently own a business or are a prospective business owner, you can get a Free Commercial Auto Insurance quote today. 

Simply call 850-378-2500 or complete our online quote request form.

Our Agents at GreatFlorida Insurance will help you find affordable Florida Commercial Auto Insurance to protect you and your business.

Why do you need Commercial Auto Insurance?

In general, if an auto is used in tasks related to the operator's occupation, profession or business, other than commuting, a commercial policy is necessary. 

This is because many business uses and auto types may be excluded from personal policies.

• If you are using your auto to transport goods or people for a fee or if you use your auto to conduct a service, you may need a commercial auto insurance policy.
  
  
• A commercial auto policy may be appropriate if you need higher limits of liability because of the nature of your work.
  
  
• Hauling a considerable weight in tools or equipment or towing a trailer used to conduct your business may require a commercial auto insurance policy.
  
  
• A commercial insurance policy may be needed if employees operate the auto or if ownership is in the name of a corporation or partnership.

Your GreatFlorida Insurance Agent in West Pensacola can help you determine the coverage you need based on how your vehicles are used in conducting your business and who will be driving your vehicles.

What does Commercial Auto Insurance cover?

Florida Commercial Auto insurance, like your personal auto policy, provides similar coverages such as liability, collision, comprehensive, medical payments (or personal injury protection) and uninsured motorists coverage.

However, there are also differences between a commercial auto insurance policy and your personal auto policy that may include eligibility, definitions, coverages, exclusions, and limits. Most Commercial Auto policies are "named driver only" policies, meaning only those drivers listed on the policy can operate a covered auto.

What are the coverages?

• Bodily injury liability coverage – This pays for bodily injury or death resulting from an accident for which you are at fault and provides you with a legal defense.
  
  
• Property damage liability coverage – Property damage liability coverage provides you with protection if your car accidentally damages another person’s property. It also provides you with a legal defense.
  
  
• Combined single limit (CSL) – Liability policies typically offer separate limits that apply to bodily injury claims for property damage. A combined single limits policy has the same dollar amount of coverage per covered occurrence whether bodily injury or property damage, one person or several.
  
  
• Medical payments, no-fault or Personal Injury Coverage – This extremely important coverage usually pays for the medical expenses of the driver and passengers in your car incurred as a result of a covered accident regardless of fault.
  
  
• Uninsured motorist coverage – This coverage pays for your injuries and, in some circumstances, certain property damage caused by an uninsured or a hit-and-run driver. In some cases, underinsured motorist coverage is also included. This is for cases in which the at-fault driver has insufficient insurance.
  
  
• Comprehensive physical damage coverage – This pays for damage to or replacement of your car from theft, vandalism, flood, fire, and other covered perils.
  
  
• Collision coverage – Just like the name sounds, this pays for damage to your car when it hits or is hit by another object.

Are there commercial truck insurance policies available?

Yes. Your GreatFlorida Insurance Agent in West Pensacola wants to protect you from liabilities related to your commercial truck(s). Your business may qualify for coverages such as:

• Tow truck insurance: If your business involves towing vehicles, you’ll need special policies in place. These include On Hook Towing (to cover damages caused to vehicles that you tow) and Garagekeeper’s Legal Liability (covers your business when you store cars for parking or service).
  
  
• Bobtail or non-trucking liability insurance:  This type of coverage protects your vehicle if you’re using it for personal use and you are involved in an accident.
  
  
• Motor truck cargo insurance:  Does your business involve moving cargo? You’ll need a special policy to protect you in the event that damages are caused to the cargo.

Types of vehicles covered

Commercial Auto Insurance covers a variety of vehicles that you rely on to serve your customers.  Often times, these vehicles include trucks such as:

• Garbage trucks
• Dump trucks
• Flatbed trucks
• Box trucks
• Tank trucks
• Tow trucks
• Front loader trucks
• Pickup trucks
• Semi trucks

Additional vehicles include:

• Vans
• Cargo vans
• SUVs
• Cars

Contact GreatFlorida Insurance for a complete list of commercial and truck insurance vehicle coverages.

Are there limits on who can be covered by a commercial auto insurance policy?

Yes. To secure a commercial auto insurance policy or truck insurance policy for your business, your employees will need to have clean driving records (i.e., no violations or points on the license). 

Flexible payment plans

GreatFlorida Insurance offers a variety of payment options to keep your business on the move.  Commercial auto insurance and truck insurance policies don’t have to financially inconvenient. Our policyholders benefit from premium payment plans.

Additionally, we accept several forms of payment.

Get a Quote Online

About Commercial Auto Insurance in West Pensacola, FL

Whether you use your own car or oversee a fleet of vehicles, GreatFlorida Insurance offers commercial auto insurance to keep things moving forward when the unexpected occurs.

Our experienced agents in West Pensacola can present you with options for commercial auto coverage limits and deductible amounts to fit your budget and needs.

Even if you do not own company cars but an employee uses their own vehicle for work, you could be responsible for any accidents they cause.  

Keep your business and employees protected by signing up for dependable and affordable commercial auto insurance in West Pensacola.

Do not let your business skip a beat when an accident occurs. GreatFlorida Insurance can partner with you to have a secure commercial auto policy in place.

GreatFlorida Commercial Auto or Truck Insurance can guard your business by helping you invest into the right insurance policy. If you are using your own car for small tasks or you own a fleet of vehicles, Donna Creel at GreatFlorida Insurance West Pensacola, FL has options to conform to your long term business goals.

GreatFlorida Insurance can guide you through the process of setting up suitable Commercial Auto or Business Insurance coverage for your company. We offer competitive rates from A+ rated insurance companies to fit into your business' needs.

Your local GreatFlorida Insurance Agent in West Pensacola can help you find the right Commercial Auto or Truck Insurance policy at the right price.

by GreatFlorida Insurance

7/6/2015

This year’s Florida legislative session was filled with hostility and drama. The standard 60-day session ended three days early due to contention between the House and Senate on Medicaid Expansion. Without a state budget passed, a Special Session was called June 1 -20. An early end to the session, along with a stalemate, doomed many bills. This year there were many proposal casualties.

PASSED – NEW LAWS

• Ticket quotas cannot be used to generate revenue for police departments.
• States, counties and cities can only buy American made flags- a patriotic move
• Attention craft beer lovers, 64 ounces of beer, known as “growlers” can finally be sold in Florida.
• Drones cannot take pictures on private property; violators will not be arrested but can be sued.
• Gay people can adopt children.
• Florida school districts can start the school year as early as August 10.
• Scale back testing in public schools
• Tax cuts-about $400 million in tax cuts with sales tax holidays and a tax cut to cable, TV and cellphone services.

CASUALTIES

• Comprehensive state water policy
• Medicaid Expansion
• Prison Reform
• Texting while driving considered a primary offense
• Abolishment of the death penalty
• Equal pay for women on state contracts
• Education– school choice, eliminating sales tax on student textbooks, mandatory uniforms for K-8, a minimum $50,000 salary for new teachers, concealed weapons to be carried by designated employees on school property in K-12 schools, ban on concealed weapons on college campuses
• Undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver’s license.
• Tupelo honey designated as the official state honey
• Expansion of gambling- a victory for Disney and other’s wanting to maintain a family friendly state environment
• Legalization of medical marijuana

GreatFlorida Insurance has been serving Florida since 1991. Dedicated to helping Floridians make informed decisions about their insurance, we offer professional service and affordable insurance. GreatFlorida Insurance specializes in:  auto insurance, homeowner’s insurance, boat insurance, motorcycle insurance, commercial insurance, renters insurance, health insurance and umbrella insurance.

Our knowledgeable agents have 115 offices located throughout Florida. Reliability is a must for our customers. We provide 24-hour service, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The right insurance coverage can give your clients peace of mind, knowing their investment is protected.

Call 888-478-7801 to talk to a local agent or go online to www.greatflorida.com for a free quote.

---

 

Sources: http://politics.heraldtribune.com/2015/05/06/legislature-sets-special-session/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/instituteforjustice/2015/05/18/florida-finally-legalizes-64-ounce-growlers/
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/what-passed-what-failed-in-floridas-2015-legislative-session/2234411

The post 2015 Legislative Session- What Passed What Failed? appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.

by GreatFlorida Insurance

6/24/2015

Getting a ride somewhere has been made easier than ever thanks to ride-sharing programs such as Uber and Lyft. The apps are convenient, but what happens if you are in an accident? Who is responsible for the damages is the source of debate in Florida.

Uber states, “From the moment you are picked up until you are dropped off, you are covered under our commercial liability insurance, every trip in every city.” Uber and Lyft riders are covered under a one million dollar policy that covers riders. This is more auto insurance coverage than taxis or limos. They also have added uninsured and under insured motorist coverage.

According to The Insurance Journal, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, Deputy Chief of Staff, Monte Stevens said the Uber policy meets the state insurance requirements. So what is the problem?

“The uncertainty comes into play for drivers, when they are logged into the app but are waiting for a rider,” said Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance. “During this period, a driver’s personal car insurance is responsible for damages. Unfortunately, many personal auto insurance policies would be likely to deny the claim because the driver is logged into the app, so it would fall into the commercial driving category. During that time Uber’s policy is “contingent,” leaving gray area.”

Many Florida lawmakers are arguing, “Is this considered a taxi service or carpooling service?’  The state is deliberating new insurance requirements and ride-sharing regulation. Uber is hoping to get the issues picked up in the special June legislative sessions but it is unlikely that ride-sharing will be addressed by lawmakers until the 2016 session.

If you are a ride-sharing driver, agents at GreatFlorida Insurance can make sure you get the proper coverage for you and riders. Contact us today to discover all the auto insurance and commercial insurance options available for you.

The post Uber and Lyft Could Leave You Uncovered appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.

by GreatFlorida Insurance

5/21/2015

Each year many Florida drivers commit a transgression resulting in the loss of their driver’s license. Thankfully, forgiveness is extended by the state in the form of an SR22 or FR44. To help get their license get reinstated and put drivers back on the road, GreatFlorida Insurance has launched a new website, SR22.greatflorida.com.

The new website provides information specific for Florida drivers who find themselves in need of an SR22 or an FR44. “Our insurance company has been providing  auto insurance to high risk drivers in Florida for years, despite the reluctance of many insurance companies to deal with these challenging circumstances. We feel the new website will share with the public our services and help by providing accurate information that is exclusive to Florida motorists,” said Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance.

A popular misconception about an SR22 and FR44, they are not insurance but actually a certificate of financial responsibility. It informs the state that you have purchased the appropriate insurance limits required to drive. The certificate is filed by your insurance agent electronically directly to the state. This alerts the state that you are maintaining continuous insurance coverage.

An SR22 can be mandated by the courts for a number of reasons including: excessive tickets and previously driving without insurance. Florida is one of the few states that necessitates an FR44. An FR44 is mandatory for those who have committed a DUI. While they detail new and possibly higher insurance limits, neither of the certificates place restrictions on your driver’s license.

For more information on obtaining an SR22 or FR44, you can visit the new website, http://sr22.greatflorida.com/, where you will find answers to many of your questions.

GreatFlorida Insurance is insurance for Floridians by Floridians. Since 1991, we have faithfully served Florida residents and their insurance needs. Unlike many insurance companies in the state, we are a network of independent, franchised insurance agents located in communities across Florida. This means we are not bound to one company to fulfill your insurance requirements, but we can shop around to find the best coverage and price for you. This flexibility allows GreatFlorida Insurance agents to craft a custom insurance policy specific for your needs, not just offer a standard insurance policy.

GreatFlorida Insurance provides homeowners insurance, auto insurance, health insurance, boat insurance, motorcycle insurance, renters insurance, commercial auto insurance and umbrella insurance. We are dedicated to providing our customers professional, prompt and courteous service. We work with reputable insurance carriers across the nation such as: Travelers, Progressive, Nationwide and more.

It is savvy to make informed decisions about your insurance. GreatFlorida agents are there to guide you every step of the way by giving you options and simplifying the process of buying insurance. Contact us online or give us a call today.

 

 

 

 

 

The post Have you lost your Florida Driver’s License? Forgiveness awaits. appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.

by GreatFlorida Insurance

3/6/2015

The Florida 2015 Legislative Session is underway. During the next 60 days, officials will decide and debate, on close to the 1,100 bills filed according to Florida Politics.com.

“This legislative session, lawmakers will reexamine some issues from last year as well as introduce new ones. GreatFlorida Insurance wants to keep our agents and customers updated on the issues that are important to you,” said Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance.

Some of the hotly contested issues on the agenda this session include the following:

Budget-Florida law requires an annual state budget passed every year. Governor Rick Scott’s proposed budget includes $673 million in tax cuts. He wants to see reductions in cell phone and cable and satellite TV bills as well as manufacturing and machinery and equipment. He also wants to eliminate sales tax on college text books and increase a corporate tax exemption.

Water and Land-Last year, 75 percent of Florida voters said they want to put $1 billion towards water and land conservation projects. Lawmakers must decide which projects get that money. Proposed projects include: Everglades clean-up, stormwater and land acquisitions and beach restoration.

Medicaid- During the previous legislative sessions, there has been a bid for Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Many are waiting to see if it gets anywhere this time around.

Marijuana-A revised medical marijuana amendment has been proposed to ease the suffering of those with chronic illnesses such as ALS and cancer.

Guns-After the November 20, shooting at Florida State University, there is renewed interest to repeal the ban of guns on campus. Most university presidents across Florida are opposed to the bill.

Gambling-This a battle between gambling resort owners and those who want to maintain Florida’s family friendly attractions. The state’s five year, $ 1 billion casino compact with the Seminole tribe expires this year. Lawmakers must decide if they want to expand gambling beyond tribal reservations.

Insurance-Some are pushing for statewide insurance requirements and background checks for ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft. These companies assert they are tech firms and not taxi services.

Other bills for consideration include:

Repeal capital punishment

Necessitate greyhound tracks to report dog injuries to the state

Regulate the use of remote controlled drones

Provide financial education and job training for people with developmental disabilities

Legalize 64 oz. beer containers, or growlers

Permit grocery and drug stores to sell hard liquor

GreatFlorida Insurance has been serving Florida since 1991. Dedicated to helping Floridians make informed decisions about their insurance, we offer professional service and affordable insurance. GreatFlorida Insurance specializes in health insurance, auto insurance, homeowner’s insurance, boat insurance, motorcycle insurance, business insurance, renters insurance and umbrella insurance.

 

The post Your Tax Dollars at Work appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.

by GreatFlorida Insurance

12/31/2014

Parties, gatherings and football games usually include an abundance of food and seasonal libations. It is easy to get carried away with the celebration and lose track of how many drinks you have consumed. The most dangerous thing you can do at that point, is get behind the wheel. Every driver is familiar with the risky practice of driving while intoxicated.

“Florida drivers ought to be proactive and avoid placing themselves and others in a dangerous situation this holiday season, said Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance. “Driving after having too many drinks can create financial burdens, affect future employment, be grounds for raised or dropped auto insurance coverage and worse, cause serious injuries or death along with long term guilt and shame.”

The Florida Highway Patrol  (FHP) has launched their annual campaign to curb drinking and driving. The, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” campaign lasts through January 1, 2015. During last year’s efforts, 421 impaired drivers were removed from the roads to keep themselves and others safe. “It will be hard to enjoy the holiday season when you are sitting in a jail cell or worse,” said Colonel David H. Brierton, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol.

FHP offers some tips for keeping the roadways safe in Florida this holiday season.

• Plan ahead and find a designated driver. Keep in mind, one drink can increase the risk of a crash.
• If you feel “buzzed” or had too much to drink, call a cab, friend or family member for a ride. At drinkinganddriving.org, you can find a list of designated driver services available in Florida counties. Some of the services will transport you and your vehicle safely home.
• If you spot an impaired driver on the road, call *FHP (*347). This simple act could save a life.

Drivers who get behind the wheel of a vehicle often think they are fine to drive.  Unfortunately, someone who has been drinking has an altered perception and is unable to properly identify danger. Impairment begins after only one drink and impaired drivers fail to recognize they are not safe to operate a car. Reactions times are slowed down and those who have been drinking tend to disregard speed limits. They have difficulty steering and tracking moving objects. They experience reduced coordination and struggle focusing on driving.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles,  in Florida, drivers are considered legally intoxicated and can be arrested and charged with a DUI with a .08 blood alcohol level. Blood alcohol content, (BAC), or blood alcohol concentration is the concentration of alcohol in your blood. In Florida, adults cannot legally exceed .08, drivers under 21 years old cannot exceed .02 and commercial drivers have a limit of .04.

Buzzed driving can be just as dangerous. Driving ability can be impaired below the legal alcohol limit. Even if there is no .08 BAC reading, an arrest can be made on the observations of the officer using roadside sobriety checks.

At GreatFlorida Insurance, we know no one is a perfect driver. We can help you find auto insurance that suits your budget while providing the coverage you need.

The post Florida Cracks Down on Drinking and Driving appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.

by GreatFlorida Insurance

11/10/2014

Florida prohibits texting while driving but hand held cell phone use is permitted. Safety minded Florida drivers have embraced hands free devices such as earpieces, the speakerphone or a dashboard auto system in an effort to promote safety but are they really that much safer?

The National Safety Council, (NSC) released a report about the distraction a hands free cell phone conversation can have on your mind and how that can affect your driving. Their results show it causes slow response and reaction times. It also proves difficult for drivers to maintain their lane.

Having our sight is vital while driving. Not only is talking on a cell phone while driving a cognitive distraction but a visual distraction as well. Multitasking significantly narrows our field of view.  The report it states, “Drivers using hands free phones have a tendency to “look at” but not “see” objects. Estimates indicate that drivers using cell phones look but fail to see 50 percent of information in their driving environment.  It is a condition similar to tunnel vision.”

When your brain is distracted, even by something as seemingly harmless as a cell phone conversation, it cannot process everything in the roadway making the driver unable to identify potentially hazardous situations and unable to respond to unexpected situations. It is referred to as “inattention to blindness” and caused by the cognitive distraction of a cell phone conversation.

“Drivers generally know when they are physically or visually distracted from the road but, it can be more difficult to discern when they take their mind off the road,” said Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance.

Voice command infotainment systems are developed by car makers with the goal of contributing to driver safety.  It is designed to make performing tasks in your vehicle hassle free, convenient and hands free.

AAA’s Foundation for Traffic Safety released a report that evaluated the demands of using hands free voice systems. The report is entitled, “Mental Workload of Common Voice-Based Vehicle Interactions across Six Different Vehicle Systems”. They took six top automakers’ voice activated infotainment systems and put them to the test.

They conducted a research using 18 men and 18 women and measured brain activity, heart rate and had a passenger evaluate their reactions. At the end of the study each participant took a questionnaire about their experience. The drivers were given a map and task assignments such as, “from your contacts, call Joel Cooper on his cell” and “tune the radio to 103.5 FM.”

AAA’s results suggest that even if a driver’s eyes are on the road and their hands are on the wheel, their ability to respond may be impaired. “Common voice tasks are generally more demanding than natural conversations, listening to the radio, or listening to a book on tape.” They also reported that system errors, such as the system, not recognizing your command can cause frustration and increase your cognitive workload.

Below are the results of the in-car voice systems beginning with the system, which imposed modest demands to the systems which required the most mental work.

• Toyota Entune
• Hyundai Blue Link
• Chrysler Uconnect
• Ford’s MyTouch
• Mercedes COMAND
• Chevrolet MyLink

The post Hands Free Driving Is Not Risk Free appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.

by GreatFlorida Insurance

9/16/2014

A vehicle breakdown never comes at a good time, especially if that vehicle is an integral part of your business success. Regular service and maintenance of your commercial fleet, whether it is one car or many will keep your business moving forward.

Preventative auto maintenance will ensure the safety of your company’s vehicle. A regular brake inspection can reveal a problem with the brakes, so you know before they go out.

Overall auto performance can also be improved. Proper oil levels usually result in better gas mileage and lower your vehicle’s emissions. Maintaining a car’s fluids, belts, hoses, filters and tire pressure will prolong its life on the road and as part of your team. In the long run you will save money and time while providing driver confidence.

Implementing a preventative maintenance schedule will keep your commercial cars and trucks running efficiently.

If your company does not already have one in place Business Fleet Magazine, provides 8 quick steps to developing a preventative maintenance plan for commercial vehicles.

1. Keep in mind, the goal of a preventative maintenance plan is to reduce mechanic visits outside of scheduled maintenance.
2. Make a spreadsheet to track each vehicle.
3. Create an annual budget.
4. If any vehicles are behind on maintenance, take them into a shop and get them up to date.
5. Establish driver and mechanic communication, drivers are more likely to be attentive to maintenance if they are part of the process.
6. Follow manufacturer recommendations for each vehicle.
7. Vehicles engaged in adverse conditions might need a more aggressive preventative maintenance plan. Make sure the plan is designed for the kind of work the vehicle performs.
8. Keep up communication with the driver. Ask on a regular basis if there are any issues with the vehicle.

While a preventative maintenance schedule could cost more upfront, in the long run it can save your company lots of money and less time with a mechanic.

Consider setting up a schedule with a particular shop to do perform all of your vehicle work. Also, place someone in charge of the maintenance from your company, either the car driver or a fleet manager.

Preventative maintenance along with the proper commercial auto insurance will keep your commercial fleet running smoothly and efficiently.

“To clear up any confusion, any auto used for work related tasks with the exception of commuting, is considered a commercial vehicle,” reports Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance. “Eligibility, definitions, coverages, exclusions and limits are the differences between a commercial auto policy and your personal car insurance.”

GreatFlorida can make sure you have the commercial car and truck insurance you need. We offer commercial coverage on a variety of trucks such as flat beds, tow trucks and semi-trucks, vans, SUV’s and cars. Visit us online at www.greatflorida.com or call us at 1-888-478-7801 for a quote.

The post Benefits of Scheduling Preventative Maintenance for Your Commercial Autos appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.