Public Auto Insurance — Shuttles, Limos, Buses & Tour Operators

Commercial auto covers vehicles used in a business (delivery vans, contractor trucks, sales fleets). Public auto specifically covers vehicles that transport people for hire — taxis, limos, shuttles, buses, paratransit, and charter. Public auto carriers underwrite passenger exposure, seat capacity, and route radius differently, and the rates and limits reflect that.

Florida public auto has been in a hard market since 2022. Many national carriers withdrew, capacity shrank, and premiums for shuttles, limos, and motorcoach operators rose 30–60%. We work with the remaining specialty markets and surplus-lines carriers that still write FL livery and passenger transport.

Interstate passenger carriers with vehicles designed for 9+ passengers (including the driver) for compensation need USDOT registration and FMCSA passenger authority (MC number). Intrastate-only Florida operators register with the FL DOT. Both require minimum financial responsibility — $1.5M for 16+ pax vehicles, $5M for hazardous materials.

The big jumps are at 8, 15, and 16 passengers. Below 8 you can usually be rated as livery. 9–15 typically requires interstate passenger authority if you cross state lines. 16+ triggers the FMCSA $1.5M minimum liability and stricter driver requirements (CDL with Passenger endorsement, DOT physical, drug consortium).

Yes for any vehicle designed to carry 16+ passengers including the driver. The driver needs a CDL Class B or C with the Passenger (P) endorsement, a current DOT physical, and enrollment in a DOT drug & alcohol consortium. Many insurance carriers also require 3+ years of driving experience and a clean MVR.

Yes — we write new ventures. Expect higher rates the first 12–24 months (carriers price the unknown loss history) but we have markets that accept new authorities, especially for hotel shuttles, airport transfers, and cruise port operators.