Insurance Requirements
Our rental model is built around your existing coverage. Here's how it works within the structure of Florida law.
Why We Rent Only to Fully Insured Drivers
Tigertail Rentals is designed for people and businesses who already carry good insurance.
Instead of selling you add-on insurance at the counter, we let your existing auto or commercial policy do what it was built to do.
The benefit to you:
- •No surprise add-on insurance fees
- •Lower, more transparent rental prices
- •Clear responsibilities from the start
- •Your own familiar coverage travels with you
How Florida Law Works (High Level)
In Florida, vehicle owners normally have primary responsibility for insurance on their vehicles.
However, Florida Statute § 627.7263 allows a rental agreement to designate the renter's own auto or business policy as the primary coverage for a rented vehicle — as long as the contract includes clear, specific language.
Our rental agreement is written to follow that rule: your policy responds first, and any coverage on our side is excess only.
What this means: We operate within the structure of Florida law to make rentals simpler for people and businesses who already have solid coverage. This isn't a workaround — it's how the law is designed to work.
What We Look For
Individuals
- Full-coverage personal auto policy — not just liability
- Liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage
- Coverage that extends to rented or temporary vehicles
We'll need to see your insurance card or declaration page showing these coverages.
Businesses
- Commercial auto policy or Hired & Non-Owned Auto (HNOA)
- Liability and physical damage coverage (comprehensive + collision)
- Coverage extending to rented or hired vehicles
We'll need to see proof of your commercial auto or HNOA coverage. Acceptable proof includes a photo or PDF of your insurance card, policy declarations page, or any document clearly showing the business name, active policy dates, liability limits, and physical damage coverage. No Certificate of Insurance (COI) is required.
If your business does not have commercial auto or HNOA coverage, the rental can be placed under an individual with full-coverage personal auto insurance.
What You'll Sign
Before you drive, you'll sign a simple rental agreement that:
- •Confirms your insurance is primary for the rental
- •Confirms you accept responsibility for loss or damage to the van
- •Follows the structure Florida law allows for properly insured renters
We'll highlight the key points and have you initial them so there are no surprises.
Can I Rent if I Only Have Liability Insurance?
No. We require full-coverage auto insurance (liability + comprehensive + collision) for individuals, or qualifying commercial coverage for businesses. Your policy must apply to rented or temporary vehicles.
If you only carry liability insurance, here are your options:
- Upgrade your policy: Contact your insurance provider to add comprehensive and collision coverage. This is often affordable and protects your own vehicle as well.
- Check credit card coverage: Some premium credit cards offer rental car insurance. Verify with your card issuer whether the coverage meets our requirements (note: most credit card coverage is secondary).
- Non-owner policies: If you don't own a car, some insurers offer non-owner car insurance policies that include coverage for rentals.
How Do I Know If My Policy Covers This?
Most full-coverage personal and commercial policies include coverage for rented or hired vehicles, but every situation is different.
We always recommend checking with your agent to confirm before you book.
Questions to ask your insurance agent:
- •"Does my policy extend to rented or temporary vehicles?"
- •"Do I have comprehensive and collision coverage?"
- •"If the rental agreement designates my policy as primary, is that acceptable?"
Important: We do not provide legal or insurance advice. The information on this page explains how our rental process is structured. Renters should consult their own insurance professional to confirm coverage for rented or hired vehicles.
Questions About Insurance?
We're happy to review your coverage details and answer questions before you book.