Hotel Shuttle Insurance in Florida: Coverage Guide

If your Florida hotel operates a courtesy shuttle — to the airport, the beach, a convention center, or just around the property — you are running a public auto risk, not a regular commercial auto risk. Underwriters price it differently, lenders require specific endorsements, and one missing coverage can turn a fender bender into a six-figure claim.

This guide walks through how Florida hotels (full-service, limited-service, resorts, and extended-stay) should structure their public auto insurance program.

Why Hotel Shuttles Are a Public Auto Risk

Once you transport guests for a fee — or as part of a paid room rate — your van is no longer "commercial auto." It's livery / public auto. That distinction matters because:

• Standard commercial auto carriers exclude paid passenger transport.
• Limits typically jump from $300K to $1M–$5M Combined Single Limit.
• Florida PIP still applies, but underwriting requires UM/UIM, often stacked.
• You need a SAM endorsement (Single Accident Maximum) for multi-passenger losses.

Core Coverages Every Hotel Shuttle Should Carry

• Auto Liability $1M CSL minimum (most flag brands require this contractually).
• UM/UIM stacked — Florida is a high-uninsured-driver state.
• Physical Damage (Comp & Collision) with stated value to match replacement cost.
• Hired & Non-Owned Auto — covers rentals when your shuttle is down.
• Garagekeepers Legal Liability — if you valet guest vehicles.
• Excess / Umbrella — $2M–$10M sits over auto + general liability.

What Underwriters Will Ask

• Seat capacity per vehicle (8–14 pax shuttles get one rating, 15+ another).
• Radius of operation (on-property vs. airport runs vs. off-property tours).
• Driver CDL-Passenger endorsement status.
• Whether shuttle is free to guests or charged.
• USDOT number (required once you cross state lines or exceed seat thresholds).

Common Coverage Gaps We Find

• No valet / garagekeepers coverage — one stolen guest car ends the program.
• Auto limits at $500K when the brand requires $1M.
• No SAM endorsement, leaving multi-passenger claims exposed.
• Missing hospitality liquor liability tie-in when the shuttle runs to the bar/restaurant.