If a vehicle is titled to your business, used to haul tools, materials, product or people for pay, or driven by employees, a personal auto policy almost always leaves gaps. Carriers can deny claims on a personal policy when they find out the vehicle was used for business. Commercial auto exists to cover exactly that use.
Ricardo spent years in roofing, restoration and solar before he was licensed. He's been the guy with a truck full of material trying to get a certificate before 7am. That's why his quoting process is built around what you actually have to send to a GC, a shipper or a landlord — not around what's easy for the insurance side.
Who this is for
- Contractors with pickups, utility vans and dump trucks
- Hotshot, box truck and local delivery operators
- Landscapers, pool and pressure-washing companies
- Mobile mechanics, HVAC, plumbing and electrical trades
- Any business where an employee drives a company vehicle
What this coverage typically addresses
Auto liability
Bodily injury and property damage you cause to others while operating a business vehicle. This is the part contracts and state rules usually care about most.
Physical damage
Collision and comprehensive for the vehicle itself — a rollover on I-75 or a tree limb through the windshield after a storm.
Hired and non-owned auto
Employees driving their own cars for work, or a rental picked up for a job. Often the gap small businesses don't know they have.
Medical payments / PIP
Florida is a no-fault state; PIP and med-pay options matter for drivers and passengers.
Cargo and equipment
What's in the bed, on the trailer or in the box. Usually a separate coverage; Ricardo will tell you when you need it.
Uninsured motorist
A lot of Florida drivers carry minimum or no coverage. UM protects your people when the other party can't.
What Ricardo will ask you for
Have these ready and the quote goes smoother. Don't have everything? Call anyway — Ricardo will tell you what actually matters for your situation.
- Business name, address and what you do
- Number and type of vehicles (year, make, model, VIN if handy)
- How each vehicle is used and the radius you operate in
- Driver list with license numbers and dates of birth
- Current carrier, premium and renewal date (if you have coverage now)
- Any filings or certificates you've been asked to provide
Why business owners call Ricardo instead of an 800 number
Commercial auto underwriting asks questions most agents have never had to answer from the other side: what's a reasonable radius, what counts as a 'service vehicle', why a dump trailer changes the quote. Ricardo has driven these trucks. He knows what underwriters are looking for and how to describe your operation accurately so you aren't overpaying for a risk you don't have — or underinsured for one you do.
You also get one phone number. Not a queue. If a GC emails you at 4:45pm asking for an updated certificate, you text Ricardo.
Common questions
Do I need commercial auto if my truck is in my personal name?
Title doesn't decide it — use does. If the vehicle hauls tools, materials or product for your business, or is driven by employees, most carriers consider that commercial use. Ricardo can review your situation and tell you which carriers will write it and how.
What is a 'radius of operation' and why does it matter?
It's how far from your base your vehicles typically travel. Local (under 50 miles), intermediate and long-haul are rated differently. Being honest about radius keeps claims from being contested later.
How do I get a certificate of insurance?
Once a policy is bound, send the certificate holder's details. Ricardo handles certificate requests directly — see the certificate page.
How fast can you quote?
With the checklist above complete, Ricardo can get your quote moving right away. Timing depends on the carriers, and multi-vehicle or specialty operations can take longer because underwriters ask more questions.
Do you work with Spanish-speaking business owners?
Yes. Ricardo is a native Spanish speaker and handles the whole process — questions, applications, certificates — in Spanish when you prefer.
Local pages
Coverage availability, eligibility and pricing vary by carrier and are subject to underwriting. Nothing on this page guarantees a premium, savings, approval or coverage.