Running a business in Naples means you're part of one of Florida's most affluent markets—and one of its most challenging. Your restaurant might be packed with snowbirds from January through March, then struggle through a quiet summer just as hurricane season begins. Your high-end boutique on Fifth Avenue South could face storm damage one month and a customer injury lawsuit the next. That's the reality of doing business in paradise, and it's exactly why the right insurance coverage isn't optional.
Here's what you need to know about protecting your Naples business, from the coverage Florida law requires to the policies that'll help you survive hurricane season and keep the lights on when tourist season slows down.
What Florida Law Actually Requires
Let's start with what's non-negotiable. If you own a construction business in Naples—whether you're a general contractor, landscaper, or pool builder—you need workers' compensation insurance the moment you hire your first employee. That includes yourself if you're set up as a corporation or LLC. For non-construction businesses like restaurants, retail shops, or professional services, the threshold is four employees.
Workers' comp covers medical expenses and lost wages when an employee gets hurt on the job. In a hospitality-heavy market like Naples, where your staff is constantly on their feet serving guests, lifting supplies, and working in kitchens, injuries happen. The minimum payroll for rating executive officers in 2024 is $62,400, with a maximum of $187,200. Construction industry officers use a minimum of $31,200.
You also need commercial auto insurance for any vehicles your business owns. Florida requires $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability as minimums—though most Naples businesses carry significantly higher limits given the area's expensive vehicles and high-value property damage potential.
General Liability: Not Required, But Essential
Here's the thing about general liability insurance: Florida doesn't require it, but you're not getting a commercial lease in Naples without it. Landlords in prime locations like Fifth Avenue South, Third Street South, or the Waterside Shops won't even talk to you unless you have general liability coverage. And for good reason.
Slip-and-fall accidents make up roughly 10% of all liability claims, with an average cost of $20,000. Other customer injury claims average around $35,000. If someone trips over a display in your boutique or slips on your restaurant's wet floor, you could be facing tens of thousands in medical bills and legal fees. Your general liability policy covers bodily injury, property damage, and legal defense costs.
Most Florida small businesses pay between $25 and $45 monthly for general liability coverage. For Naples businesses with public foot traffic—restaurants, cafés, retail shops, galleries—this is your foundation policy.
The Hurricane Reality: Property and Business Interruption Coverage
Every Naples business owner remembers Hurricane Ian. The 2022 storm devastated parts of Southwest Florida and served as a stark reminder that coastal businesses operate with unique vulnerabilities. Your commercial property insurance covers your building, equipment, and inventory from fire, theft, and hurricane damage—but here's what catches people off guard: business interruption coverage is a separate consideration, and it's not required by law.
Business interruption insurance, sometimes called business income insurance, replaces the income you lose when you're forced to close temporarily due to a covered event. For a Naples restaurant that's closed for three months after hurricane damage, that could mean the difference between reopening and shuttering permanently. Coverage typically begins 48 to 72 hours after the initial loss and continues for a specified period, often up to 12 months.
Most business interruption policies include civil authority coverage, which kicks in when government orders prevent access to your premises—like mandatory evacuations during hurricane warnings. This is particularly valuable given that Collier County often issues evacuation orders for coastal areas during major storms.
One critical note: flood damage requires separate flood insurance, and most carriers won't write new policies once a named storm enters the Gulf of Mexico. If you're in a low-lying area or near the coast, secure flood coverage well before hurricane season begins in June.
Seasonal Business Considerations
Naples' economy runs on seasonal tourism. While Florida welcomed a record 142.9 million visitors in 2024, Naples and Marco Island saw a 5.3% decline in total visitation from April 2024 to April 2025, with international tourism dropping 32% in that same period. For businesses that depend on that winter season revenue to carry them through slower summer months, this volatility creates real insurance planning challenges.
If your business operates year-round but generates the majority of revenue from November through April, business interruption coverage becomes even more critical. A hurricane that hits in January doesn't just damage property—it wipes out your most profitable months. Many Naples hospitality businesses also carry contingent business interruption coverage, which protects you when your suppliers or distributors suffer damage that disrupts your operations.
For restaurants and bars, liquor liability coverage is another essential consideration. This protects you if an intoxicated patron causes injury or property damage after being over-served at your establishment. Given Naples' active dining and nightlife scene, particularly during season, this coverage addresses a real exposure.
The Business Owner's Policy: Bundling for Savings
For small to mid-sized Naples businesses, a Business Owner's Policy (BOP) bundles general liability and commercial property coverage into one streamlined package. This is typically more affordable than buying the policies separately and simpler to manage. Average small business insurance plans in Naples range from $600 to $2,000 annually depending on your coverage levels, business size, and industry.
A BOP works well for retail shops, professional offices, restaurants, and small contractors. It won't include workers' comp or commercial auto—those are always separate policies—but it gives you a solid foundation of protection at a reasonable price point.
Getting Started: What to Do Now
Start by identifying which coverages Florida law requires for your specific business. If you're in construction or have four or more employees in another industry, workers' comp is mandatory. Any business-owned vehicles need commercial auto coverage. From there, build out your coverage based on your actual risks.
Work with an independent insurance agent familiar with Collier County. They'll understand Naples-specific risks like hurricane exposure, seasonal business fluctuations, and the requirements of local commercial landlords. They can also help you think through scenarios you might not have considered—like what happens if a supplier in Fort Myers gets damaged and can't deliver to your restaurant for weeks.
Review your coverage annually, particularly before hurricane season. Your business has likely changed over the past year—new equipment, higher inventory values, additional employees—and your insurance should reflect that growth. Don't wait until a named storm is tracking toward Southwest Florida to realize your coverage has gaps. By then, it's too late to make changes.
