Florida General Contractor Insurance Requirements
2026 Florida CGC/CBC license requirements: $1M/$2M GL is the working standard (DBPR floor: $300K for licensing). Officers may exempt from workers' comp (up to 3).
Required Insurance Coverage at a Glance
| Coverage Type | Minimum Required | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General Liability | $1,000,000 / $2,000,000 aggregate (DBPR floor: $300K) | COI must name CILB. $300K satisfies licensing; $1M/$2M required for commercial work. |
| Workers' Compensation | Required for all non-exempt employees | Up to 3 officers may file for exemption |
| Commercial Auto | Required if company vehicles are used | Hired & non-owned auto recommended |
| Builders Risk | Typically required by contract | Required on most commercial projects |
Source: F.S. 489.115, DBPR Rule 61G4, CILB. Effective 2026.
General Liability Insurance Requirements
The Florida CILB requires CGC and CBC license holders to maintain a minimum of $300,000 per occurrence in GL as a condition of licensure — but that is a licensing floor, not a working standard. Any lapse triggers automatic license suspension under F.S. 489.115.
The real standard is $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate. Every commercial GC, property manager, landlord, and project owner requires $1M/$2M with an additional insured endorsement. A $300K policy will be rejected on virtually every commercial project, permit application, and subcontract agreement. Upgrading from $300K to $1M typically adds only $100–$300/year to your premium — there is no good reason to carry less.
The certificate of insurance must name the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) as the certificate holder. The CILB address for COI purposes is: 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Bright Coast Insurance can issue a compliant COI same-day.
Workers' Compensation Requirements
Florida general contractors must carry workers' compensation for all non-exempt employees under F.S. 440. The construction industry threshold is one or more employees — lower than most other industries, which require four or more. This means even a GC with a single part-time laborer must carry WC.
Officer Exemption — General Contractors
Unlike roofing contractors, Florida general contractors may exempt up to three corporate officers from workers' compensation coverage. To qualify, the officer must own at least 10% of the corporation and file Form DFS-F2-DWC-250 (Notice of Election to be Exempt) with the Florida Division of Financial Services. Exemptions must be renewed annually. Sole proprietors with no employees are also exempt but must cover any uninsured subcontractors.
Subcontractor Liability
If a subcontractor you hire does not carry their own workers' compensation policy, their employees become your liability. Always obtain a current certificate of insurance from every subcontractor before work begins. The Florida Department of Financial Services actively audits general contractors for uninsured subcontractor exposure.
Workers' Comp Class Codes for Florida General Contractors
Workers' compensation premiums are calculated per $100 of payroll using NCCI class codes. Proper classification is critical — misclassification can result in audit penalties or coverage gaps.
Contracting — Executive Supervisor
Project managers, superintendents, non-manual GC staff
Carpentry — NOC (General Contractor)
Hands-on GC labor, framing, general construction
Concrete Construction — NOC
If GC self-performs concrete work
Clerical Office Employees
Office staff, bookkeepers, estimators (no field work)
Rates are NCCI advisory rates effective January 1, 2025. Actual premiums depend on your experience modification factor (EMR) and carrier.
How Much Does General Contractor Insurance Cost in Florida?
Insurance costs for Florida general contractors vary significantly based on annual revenue, payroll, type of work, and claims history. The table below provides typical ranges for a small-to-mid-size GC in Florida.
| Coverage | Typical Annual Cost | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|
| General Liability ($1M/$2M) | $1,500 – $6,000/yr | Annual revenue / project type |
| Workers' Comp (5606 — supervisor) | $850 – $2,500/yr | Payroll × $0.85 rate |
| Workers' Comp (5651 — labor) | $4,500 – $12,000/yr | Payroll × $4.50 rate + EMR |
| Commercial Auto | $1,200 – $3,500/yr | Number of vehicles / drivers |
Bright Coast Insurance shops multiple carriers to find the most competitive rate for your specific operations. Call (239) 475-0361 for a same-day quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
What insurance is required to hold a Florida general contractor license?
Florida CGC and CBC license holders must maintain General Liability insurance with a minimum of $300,000 per occurrence and active workers' compensation coverage for all non-exempt employees. The certificate of insurance must name the CILB (Construction Industry Licensing Board) as certificate holder and be kept current at all times. Any lapse in coverage triggers automatic license suspension.
How much General Liability insurance does a Florida general contractor need?
The Florida CILB requires a minimum of $300,000 per occurrence to obtain and maintain a CGC or CBC license — but that is a licensing floor, not a working standard. The real answer is $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate. Every commercial GC, property manager, landlord, and project owner requires $1M/$2M with an additional insured endorsement. A $300K policy will be rejected on virtually every commercial job. Upgrading from $300K to $1M typically adds only $100–$300 per year to your premium.
Do Florida general contractors need workers' compensation insurance?
Yes. Florida law (F.S. 440) requires general contractors to carry workers' compensation for all non-exempt employees. Unlike roofing contractors, general contractors may exempt up to three corporate officers by filing a Notice of Election to be Exempt with the Florida Division of Financial Services. All other employees must be covered. Subcontractors without their own WC policy become the GC's liability.
Can a Florida general contractor owner exempt themselves from workers' comp?
Yes. Florida general contractors may exempt up to three corporate officers from workers' compensation by filing Form DFS-F2-DWC-250 with the Florida Division of Financial Services. The officer must own at least 10% of the corporation. Sole proprietors with no employees are also exempt but must cover any subcontractors who lack their own WC policy.
What happens if a Florida general contractor's insurance lapses?
Under F.S. 489.115, any lapse in required insurance coverage results in automatic suspension of the contractor's license. The CILB is notified directly by the insurer when a policy is cancelled or non-renewed. Reinstatement requires proof of new coverage and may involve a reinstatement fee. Continuing to contract while suspended is a second-degree misdemeanor.
Does the COI need to name anyone specific for a Florida CGC license?
Yes. The certificate of insurance must name the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) as the certificate holder. The CILB address is: 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Your insurer or Bright Coast Insurance can issue a compliant COI same-day.
What is the difference between a CGC and CBC license in Florida?
A CGC (Certified General Contractor) license authorizes unlimited commercial and residential construction statewide. A CBC (Certified Building Contractor) license is more limited in scope — it does not authorize structural work on buildings over three stories. Both require the same minimum insurance levels ($300,000 GL per occurrence, workers' comp for non-exempt employees).
How much does general contractor insurance cost in Florida?
General Liability insurance for a Florida general contractor typically costs $1,500–$6,000 per year for a small contractor, depending on annual revenue, payroll, and claims history. Workers' compensation rates depend on class codes and payroll — executive supervisors (code 5606) run around $0.85 per $100 of payroll, while hands-on GC labor (code 5651) runs $4.50–$6.00. Bright Coast Insurance can provide a same-day quote — call (239) 475-0361.
Get a Compliant COI for Your CGC License Today
Bright Coast Insurance issues same-day certificates of insurance naming the CILB. We shop multiple carriers to get you the best rate on GL and workers' comp.