Owning a retail center, office building, warehouse or medical building in Florida means planning for hurricanes, flood, aging roofs and systems, and the people who walk through your doors every day. Some owners occupy their own building; others lease all or part of it. The insurance questions are similar, but the details depend on who uses the space and what the leases say.

This page explains, as education, what owners of commercial buildings in North Central and Northeast Florida should understand about their insurance. It doesn’t cover apartments or condominium and homeowner associations.

What commercial property owners deal with

Retail

Heavy foot traffic, parking lots, signage and storefront glass. Several tenants with different operations, including restaurants that add fire and grease exposure.

Office

Elevators, HVAC and building systems, after-hours access and tenant build-outs.

Warehouse

Large roofs, high-piled storage, forklifts and truck traffic, and contents that may belong to tenants or customers rather than you.

Medical

Expensive tenant equipment, generators, medical waste and patients who may be less mobile, plus extra attention to accessibility.

Typical claims for commercial property owners

Without quoting statistics, the large losses for Florida commercial buildings usually come from wind, water and fire. Liability claims tend to come from slips and falls in parking lots and common areas. Equipment breakdown, like a failed chiller or electrical system, is a common source of business interruption. Accessibility lawsuits under the Americans with Disabilities Act can involve both the owner and the tenant.

Coverage at a glance

Coverage Why it matters here Learn more
Commercial property The building against fire, wind and other covered losses, with the windstorm deductible spelled out Business insurance
General liability Injuries in parking lots, sidewalks and common areas General liability
Business income or loss of rents Income or rent lost while a covered loss is repaired Ask us about business income
Equipment breakdown Sudden breakdown of HVAC, electrical, boilers and building systems Ask us about equipment breakdown
Ordinance or law Code-related costs after a covered loss, such as tearing down the undamaged part of the building, demolition and the extra cost of rebuilding to current code. It’s usually added to the policy with its own limits. Ask us about ordinance or law
Flood Flood damage, usually excluded from property policies FloodSmart
Commercial umbrella Extra liability limits Umbrella
Cyber Building access systems, tenant data and the systems you depend on Cyber

Leases, contracts and certificates

If you lease space, your leases should say what insurance tenants carry, whether you’re an additional insured on their policy, whether both sides waive subrogation, and who maintains which parts of the building. If you hire contractors for repairs, roof work or build-outs, your contracts with them should require their insurance, name you as an additional insured and include a waiver of subrogation, and you should collect certificates before they start. A certificate is for information only. It doesn’t change or add coverage.

For a deeper look at leases and tenant certificates, see our page on lessor’s risk insurance.

Workers’ comp

If you have employees, such as maintenance staff, Florida’s general rule requires workers’ comp once you have four or more employees, full- or part-time, counting corporate officers or LLC members who haven’t filed an exemption. If your own staff do construction work, such as renovations or build-outs, the one-employee construction rule can apply. Contractors you hire should carry their own coverage; collect their certificates or exemptions before they start.

Florida issues to plan for

  • Windstorm deductibles. Many Florida commercial property policies have a separate, often percentage-based, windstorm deductible. Know what it is in dollars.
  • Flood. Flood is usually excluded from property policies. NFIP building limits are capped, and lenders may require more, so private and excess flood options are worth a look.
  • Roof age and condition. Insurance companies commonly ask about roof age and condition at renewal. Keep permits and inspection records.
  • Accessibility. The ADA applies to places of public accommodation and commercial facilities. ADA.gov has guidance for businesses and building owners.

Practical risk management steps

  • Inspect parking lots, sidewalks and lighting on a schedule and keep a log
  • Maintain roof, HVAC and electrical records and service contracts
  • Prepare a hurricane plan: shutters, generator fuel, contact lists and photos of the building before the season
  • Collect tenant and contractor certificates and track expiration dates
  • Review accessibility with a qualified professional, especially parking and entrances
  • Know your building’s flood zone and elevation

Questions to ask before you renew

  • Does my property limit reflect today’s rebuilding cost?
  • What is my windstorm deductible in dollars?
  • Do I have business income or loss of rents, and for how long?
  • Do I have equipment breakdown and ordinance or law coverage?
  • Do I need flood coverage, or more of it?
  • Are my tenants’ and contractors’ certificates current?
  • Do my liability limits fit the foot traffic at my building?

Frequently asked questions

Is wind covered on my commercial property policy?

Usually, but often with a separate windstorm deductible. Check the deductible in dollars.

Is flood covered?

Usually not. Flood is normally covered separately.

What is equipment breakdown coverage?

It can cover sudden breakdown of building systems like HVAC, electrical and boilers, which property policies often exclude.

Do I need business income if I lease my building?

Loss of rents coverage helps replace rent you lose while a covered loss is repaired.

Who is responsible for ADA compliance, the owner or the tenant?

Under the federal ADA rules, both the landlord and the tenant of a place open to the public have obligations. The lease can divide responsibility between them.

Should contractors I hire name me as an additional insured?

Yes, that’s common. It can give you coverage under their policy for claims caused by their work, but only as far as the endorsement allows. Some endorsements cover only work in progress, so ask for completed operations coverage too, and get a copy of the endorsement along with the certificate.

Sources

General information, not legal or coverage advice. Coverage depends on the policy issued, its terms and underwriting, and contract requirements depend on the contract you sign. Check licensing and safety rules with the agency that enforces them.

McGriff-Williams Insurance is an independent insurance agency in Gainesville, in business since 1983 and licensed in Florida. We’re at 3501 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32607. Questions: (352) 371-7977, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Last updated October 31, 2026