Workers' Compensation Insurance
Florida Workers Comp by Trade
Florida construction employers generally need workers' compensation coverage for employees, unless a valid exemption applies. Select a trade to review the relevant class-code guidance, official coverage requirements, and quote options.
Call (239) 475-0361 — QuoteQuick answer
Florida workers' compensation helps cover qualifying workplace injuries for employees. For construction businesses, whether coverage is required depends on the employer's operations, employees, and any valid exemption. Bright Coast is an independent insurance agency; use the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation guidance to confirm the rule for your business, then use the relevant class code and payroll details to request coverage options.
Workers Comp by Trade
Click your trade to see class codes, 2026 rates, and Florida-specific requirements.
Class Code 5551
Roofing Contractors
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Class Code 5606
General Contractors
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Class Code 5183
HVAC Contractors
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Class Code 5190
Electrical Contractors
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Class Code 5183
Plumbing Contractors
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Class Code 5645
Framing Contractors
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Class Code 5213
Concrete Contractors
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Class Code 5022
Masonry Contractors
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Florida Workers Comp Law — What Contractors Must Know
Florida's workers' compensation law is governed by Chapter 440, Florida Statutes. For the construction industry, employers generally need coverage for employees unless a valid exemption applies. Confirm the current requirement and exemption status with the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation coverage guidance before relying on a general summary.
Non-construction employers reach the coverage threshold at four or more employees. Agricultural employers have separate thresholds based on seasonal and annual employee counts.
Penalties for non-compliance are severe: an immediate stop-work order halting all job sites, fines equal to twice the premium that should have been paid (minimum $1,000), and personal liability for all injured worker medical expenses and lost wages.
Florida uses NCCI class codes to determine rates. The class code reflects the type of work performed — not the company name or industry — so a roofing company that also does framing may have employees rated under multiple codes. Misclassification is a leading cause of unexpected audit bills.
How Workers' Comp Pricing Is Determined
Workers' comp pricing depends on the class code, payroll, experience-modification factor, carrier underwriting, policy terms, and other property- or business-specific details. A trade label alone is not enough to produce a reliable premium estimate.
Review the verified rate on the applicable class-code page, then request a quote using your actual payroll and operations. Do not rely on a generic contractor-rate table for a binding or audit decision.
Browse verified Florida class-code ratesFrequently Asked Questions
Is workers compensation required for all Florida contractors?
Florida construction coverage requirements depend on the employer's operations, employees, and whether a valid exemption applies. Confirm the current requirement with the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation and review the official guidance before relying on a general contractor summary.
How are workers comp rates calculated for Florida contractors?
Workers' comp pricing depends on the applicable class code, payroll, experience-modification factor, carrier underwriting, policy terms, and other business-specific information. Review the verified rate on the relevant class-code page and request a quote using the actual operations and payroll rather than relying on a generic contractor-rate range.
Can Florida contractor owners exempt themselves from workers comp?
Corporate officers of a Florida construction company may apply for an exemption under Florida Statute 440.02. The exemption applies only to the officer — all other employees must still be covered. Exemptions must be renewed every two years.
What is a workers comp ghost policy in Florida?
A ghost policy is a workers' compensation policy issued to a sole proprietor or exempt officer with zero payroll. It satisfies the certificate of insurance requirement for general contractors without providing actual wage replacement benefits. Ghost policies are legal in Florida and commonly used by owner-operators who need a COI to get on a job site.
How quickly can I get a workers comp certificate of insurance in Florida?
Bright Coast Insurance can issue a certificate of insurance the same day in most cases. For new policies, binding typically takes 1–2 business days depending on the carrier and the trade.
Get a Free Florida Workers Comp Quote
Bright Coast Insurance works with multiple carriers to find the best rate for your trade. Same-day COI available.