How does the certificate of insurance process work - how fast can I get one, how do I make sure it meets my client's requirements, and what impact does it have on my policy?

We issue COIs quickly – within 24-48 hours, although often same day. For fastest service, we recommend requests be submitted via email, our online portal, or text. It’s more than just speed though - we make sure your policy and the COI are compliant so not only do you get paid, but there are no coverage issues or surprises down the line.

What steps can I take to make sure my subcontractors have proper insurance in place and that I have the right contracts to avoid audit penalties and coverage issues?

It starts with the right COIs and having written agreements in place. We provide our clients with the resources they need, like subcontractor insurance checklists and sample agreements to help verify coverage, confirm additional insured status, and structure contracts that meet policy requirements. We’ll walk you through how to manage and track this, and can even verify that your subcontractors COIs are in compliance. We stop a problem from it ever becoming a problem.

I got hit hard on my last audit – what can I do to avoid that again?

Most audits go sideways because of misclassified payroll, missing sub agreements, or invalid COIs. We help you fix that on the front end. Our onboarding process includes class code reviews, subcontractor compliance guidance, and mid-policy check-ins so you’re never caught off guard. This is all part of our Pelican Flight Path - a mapped-out strategy to keep you ahead of the curve.

I’ve been told I need written agreements and hold harmless clauses with my subs - can you walk me through what is needed and if there is any effect on my policy?

Absolutely. Many liability policies require written contracts with hold harmless and indemnification clauses for coverage to be triggered, or others put a cap on the coverage if they are not in place. We’ll help you understand what your carrier expects, how to build a process around it, and provide a resource agreement for you and your legal counsel to customize it. Getting this wrong can void coverage. We’ll make sure it’s done right.

What exactly does liquor liability cover, and how do I make sure I’m protected without overpaying or missing anything?

Liquor liability protects you if a customer causes damage or injury after being served alcohol—on or off your premises. But coverage can vary widely both by carrier and state. We review your food-to-alcohol ratio, staff training, hours of operation, and other exposures to tailor a risk management strategy to reduce your overall risk. This in turn can reduce the premium of the policy we will customize for you.

My liquor liability policy keeps going up and I can’t get an answer from my current agency – can you help?

Yes. While premiums are increasing on an industry wide level, risk management strategies and an ongoing review of your sales & audit exposure can stave off any claims to begin with, as well as stabilize and maybe even reduce your premium.

We just had a liquor liability audit - what should I be keeping track of, and how do I avoid surprises next time?

Track monthly alcohol vs. food sales, POS system data, and staff alcohol training records. We help clients put systems in place for this from day one with our Pelican Flight Path so that audits are smooth and expected -not panic-inducing. And if your audit process was a mess last year from your previous agency, we can help clean it up for the next one.

With all the challenges in the Florida market, what are my options for coverage on my commercial property? Is wind available?

Yes, wind coverage is still available. We work with both admitted and surplus lines carriers that specialize in Florida risks. If your property has been updated (roof, HVAC, plumbing), we can often find strong options. We help you present the risk properly, and even layer it with multiple carriers if necessary.

I manage several apartment buildings and the coverage feels pieced together - how do I make sure I’ve got the right policies in place?

We consolidate your portfolio into a cohesive strategy—GL, property, loss of income, umbrella, and more— and work with you throughout the year so you stay informed and nothing falls through the crack. You won’t have scattered policies with hidden gaps anymore. We’ll help you simplify and protect your assets with fewer headaches and better results.

I own a building where one of the tenants is considered high-risk – what are my options?

We work with this scenario often. If you lease to higher risk tenants like machine shops, or cannabis businesses, it’s all about how the lease and insurance are structured. We work with markets that specialize in underwriting these risks and advise on how to manage them through policy structuring and tenant COI requirements. We also provide insurance checklists to help you vet your tenant’s coverage the right way.

My workers’ comp premium keeps going up - what’s this experience mod rating, and is there anything I can do about it if it’s wrong? If it’s right, how can I get it back down?

Your MOD is a score that compares your claim history to others in your industry. If it’s inaccurate, it could be costing you thousands, if not more. We pull your mod worksheets, check for errors, and help dispute inaccuracies. Right or wrong though, we can help reduce it with a cohesive risk management strategy - better tracking, safety practices, compliance support, claim management, and more.

I don’t understand our cyber policy – how do I know if I’m protected and not just buying a buzzword policy?

You’re not alone. Most business owners don’t know what their cyber policy actually covers. We translate the jargon into plain English and look at your real digital exposure to match you with the coverage you actually need.

Do I even need a cyber policy?

If your business uses a website, stores client info, accepts payments, or even utilizes email—you do. Cyber is no longer optional, even for “non-tech” companies. The good news is that we can scale a policy to fit your operation without bloating the cost. We can provide benchmarks in your industry to show what exposures a business such as yours faces the most, and provide risk control tools to protect your business.

I’ve had to chase my current agent just to get basic service—what’s your process like when it comes to communication and support?

We do what we say we’re going to do, and we believe communication should be proactive—not reactive. Our service model includes set response times, check-ins throughout the year, and one-on-one support that puts you first. As part of your Client Flight Path, you get a team that’s organized, responsive, and planning ahead—not playing catch-up.

I haven’t heard from my current agent in years (or hardly at all, or can’t remember the last review), and I’m not even sure my business is insured properly or even what I have - can you review my coverage and help bring it up to date?

Yes, and we do it thoroughly. Once we have a discussion of your pain points and what keeps you up at night, we review every line of coverage you have, highlight what’s outdated or overlapping, and give you a full-picture risk assessment. No pressure to switch—just answers you’ve been missing.

My policies are all over the place and I’d like to bring them under one roof – can you help with that?

Definitely. We specialize in packaging accounts—property, GL, WC, cyber, auto, umbrella, and more—under one coordinated plan. Fewer gaps, cleaner billing, and a strategy that actually makes sense

What are surplus lines?

Surplus lines coverage comes from carriers not admitted in your state, although the carriers are still heavily regulated. They are used for harder-to-place risks or for businesses that need much more customized policies than the standard market can provide. Risks can range from coastal property to a brand new technology provider. We routinely work in the surplus lines market and make sure your coverage is placed properly, explained clearly, and managed strategically.

FAQs | Pelican Shield Insurance Group

How does the certificate of insurance process work - how fast can I get one, how do I make sure it meets my client's requirements, and what impact does it have on my policy?
We issue COIs quickly – within 24-48 hours, although often same day. For fastest service, we recommend requests be submitted via email, our online portal, or text. It’s more than just speed though - we make sure your policy and the COI are compliant so not only do you get paid, but there are no coverage issues or surprises down the line.
What steps can I take to make sure my subcontractors have proper insurance in place and that I have the right contracts to avoid audit penalties and coverage issues?
It starts with the right COIs and having written agreements in place. We provide our clients with the resources they need, like subcontractor insurance checklists and sample agreements to help verify coverage, confirm additional insured status, and structure contracts that meet policy requirements. We’ll walk you through how to manage and track this, and can even verify that your subcontractors COIs are in compliance. We stop a problem from it ever becoming a problem.
I got hit hard on my last audit – what can I do to avoid that again?
Most audits go sideways because of misclassified payroll, missing sub agreements, or invalid COIs. We help you fix that on the front end. Our onboarding process includes class code reviews, subcontractor compliance guidance, and mid-policy check-ins so you’re never caught off guard. This is all part of our Pelican Flight Path - a mapped-out strategy to keep you ahead of the curve.
I’ve been told I need written agreements and hold harmless clauses with my subs - can you walk me through what is needed and if there is any effect on my policy?
Absolutely. Many liability policies require written contracts with hold harmless and indemnification clauses for coverage to be triggered, or others put a cap on the coverage if they are not in place. We’ll help you understand what your carrier expects, how to build a process around it, and provide a resource agreement for you and your legal counsel to customize it. Getting this wrong can void coverage. We’ll make sure it’s done right.

What exactly does liquor liability cover, and how do I make sure I’m protected without overpaying or missing anything?
Liquor liability protects you if a customer causes damage or injury after being served alcohol—on or off your premises. But coverage can vary widely both by carrier and state. We review your food-to-alcohol ratio, staff training, hours of operation, and other exposures to tailor a risk management strategy to reduce your overall risk. This in turn can reduce the premium of the policy we will customize for you.
My liquor liability policy keeps going up and I can’t get an answer from my current agency – can you help?
Yes. While premiums are increasing on an industry wide level, risk management strategies and an ongoing review of your sales & audit exposure can stave off any claims to begin with, as well as stabilize and maybe even reduce your premium.
We just had a liquor liability audit - what should I be keeping track of, and how do I avoid surprises next time?
Track monthly alcohol vs. food sales, POS system data, and staff alcohol training records. We help clients put systems in place for this from day one with our Pelican Flight Path so that audits are smooth and expected -not panic-inducing. And if your audit process was a mess last year from your previous agency, we can help clean it up for the next one.

With all the challenges in the Florida market, what are my options for coverage on my commercial property? Is wind available?
Yes, wind coverage is still available. We work with both admitted and surplus lines carriers that specialize in Florida risks. If your property has been updated (roof, HVAC, plumbing), we can often find strong options. We help you present the risk properly, and even layer it with multiple carriers if necessary.
I manage several apartment buildings and the coverage feels pieced together - how do I make sure I’ve got the right policies in place?
We consolidate your portfolio into a cohesive strategy—GL, property, loss of income, umbrella, and more— and work with you throughout the year so you stay informed and nothing falls through the crack. You won’t have scattered policies with hidden gaps anymore. We’ll help you simplify and protect your assets with fewer headaches and better results.
I own a building where one of the tenants is considered high-risk – what are my options?
We work with this scenario often. If you lease to higher risk tenants like machine shops, or cannabis businesses, it’s all about how the lease and insurance are structured. We work with markets that specialize in underwriting these risks and advise on how to manage them through policy structuring and tenant COI requirements. We also provide insurance checklists to help you vet your tenant’s coverage the right way.

My workers’ comp premium keeps going up - what’s this experience mod rating, and is there anything I can do about it if it’s wrong? If it’s right, how can I get it back down?
Your MOD is a score that compares your claim history to others in your industry. If it’s inaccurate, it could be costing you thousands, if not more. We pull your mod worksheets, check for errors, and help dispute inaccuracies.

Right or wrong though, we can help reduce it with a cohesive risk management strategy - better tracking, safety practices, compliance support, claim management, and more.

I don’t understand our cyber policy – how do I know if I’m protected and not just buying a buzzword policy?
You’re not alone. Most business owners don’t know what their cyber policy actually covers. We translate the jargon into plain English and look at your real digital exposure to match you with the coverage you actually need.
Do I even need a cyber policy?
If your business uses a website, stores client info, accepts payments, or even utilizes email—you do. Cyber is no longer optional, even for “non-tech” companies. The good news is that we can scale a policy to fit your operation without bloating the cost. We can provide benchmarks in your industry to show what exposures a business such as yours faces the most, and provide risk control tools to protect your business.

I’ve had to chase my current agent just to get basic service—what’s your process like when it comes to communication and support?
We do what we say we’re going to do, and we believe communication should be proactive—not reactive. Our service model includes set response times, check-ins throughout the year, and one-on-one support that puts you first. As part of your Client Flight Path, you get a team that’s organized, responsive, and planning ahead—not playing catch-up.
I haven’t heard from my current agent in years (or hardly at all, or can’t remember the last review), and I’m not even sure my business is insured properly or even what I have - can you review my coverage and help bring it up to date?
Yes, and we do it thoroughly. Once we have a discussion of your pain points and what keeps you up at night, we review every line of coverage you have, highlight what’s outdated or overlapping, and give you a full-picture risk assessment. No pressure to switch—just answers you’ve been missing.
My policies are all over the place and I’d like to bring them under one roof – can you help with that?
Definitely. We specialize in packaging accounts—property, GL, WC, cyber, auto, umbrella, and more—under one coordinated plan. Fewer gaps, cleaner billing, and a strategy that actually makes sense
What are surplus lines?
Surplus lines coverage comes from carriers not admitted in your state, although the carriers are still heavily regulated. They are used for harder-to-place risks or for businesses that need much more customized policies than the standard market can provide. Risks can range from coastal property to a brand new technology provider. We routinely work in the surplus lines market and make sure your coverage is placed properly, explained clearly, and managed strategically.

FAQs

Real-World Questions & Answers Clients Call About

Contractors