For the Chapters That Require a Specialist
Standard insurance covers the basics. Specialty insurance covers the unique risks of your industry, from employees and data breaches to construction sites and cocktails.
One Size Does Not Fit All.
A standard "Business Owners Policy" is a great foundation, but it has massive gaps for specialized industries.
If you have employees, you have Workers' Comp exposure.
If you serve alcohol, you have Liquor Liability exposure.
If you are building a structure, you have Builders Risk exposure.
At Novel Insurance, we don't try to shoehorn your unique business into a generic policy. We open the "Specialty" catalog to find coverage designed specifically for your trade.
Our Coverage Menu
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The Mandatory Coverage. In Florida, if you have 4 or more employees (or just 1 in the construction industry), this is required by law.
Covers: Medical bills and lost wages for employees injured on the job.
Our Role: We help you manage "Experience Mods" to keep premiums low and file Exemptions for owners who don't want to be included.
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For any business that stores data, swipes credit cards, or uses email.
The Reality: Small businesses are the #1 target for ransomware because they have weaker security than banks.
Covers: Ransom payments, data recovery, legal fees, and notifying customers of a breach.
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For bars, restaurants, and caterers in Ybor, Soho, and Downtown.
The Law: General Liability does not cover alcohol-related claims. If a patron gets intoxicated and causes an accident, your business can be held liable. This policy is your only defense.
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Standard property insurance doesn't cover a building that doesn't exist yet.
Covers: The structure while under construction, plus materials on site and in transit.
Crucial for: Developers, General Contractors, and Homeowners building custom homes.
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Required for many Florida contractors to get licensed or pull permits.
We offer: License & Permit Bonds, Bid Bonds, and Performance Bonds to prove to the city (and your clients) that you can finish the job.
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Planning a wedding, festival, or corporate gala?
Covers: Cancellation due to weather, liability for guest injuries, and property damage to the venue for a single specific event.
How We Review Your Policy
Specialty policies are technical. We review the details that often trigger fines or denials:
Officer Exemptions (Work Comp): As a business owner, do you want to pay for coverage on yourself, or do you want to "Exempt" yourself to save money? We handle the state filing for you.
Retroactive Dates (Cyber): If you buy a Cyber policy today, does it cover a breach that started 6 months ago but you only just discovered? We fight for "Full Prior Acts" coverage.
Soft Costs (Builders Risk): If a fire delays your construction project by 6 months, who pays the extra loan interest and architect fees? We ensure "Soft Costs" are included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or contact us anytime.
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A: Be careful. Florida is very strict about this. Just because you call them "Independent Contractors" doesn't mean the state agrees. If you control their hours and tools, the state may classify them as employees, and you could be fined for not having Workers' Comp.
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A: No. This is a common and dangerous myth. General Liability covers bodily injury and property damage. It does not cover digital assets, data breaches, or ransomware. You need a standalone Cyber policy.
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A: Yes. A standard Homeowners policy won't cover a home under major construction. A "Course of Construction" (Builders Risk) policy protects the asset until the Certificate of Occupancy is issued.
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A: It depends on the bond amount and your credit score. A simple $5,000 License Bond might only cost $100. A large Performance Bond for a construction project is usually 1-3% of the contract price.
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A: Yes. This is called "Special Event Liquor Liability." If you are hosting a wedding or a company party where alcohol is served, we can write a single-day policy to protect you.