Ghost Policy for General Contractors
Florida Workers Comp
As a general contractors in Florida, you need a workers comp certificate of insurance to get licensed and work for general contractors — even if you have no employees. A ghost policy gives you exactly that.
What Is a Workers Comp Ghost Policy?
A ghost policy is a workers compensation insurance policy for a Florida sole proprietor or owner-operator who has no employees. The business owner files an exclusion from coverage (using Florida Form DWC-251), which means the policy technically covers no one — hence the name "ghost."
The policy exists for one purpose: to generate a certificate of insurance (COI). Florida contractors need a COI to obtain or renew their contractor's license, work on job sites managed by general contractors, and bid on commercial or government projects.
Without a ghost policy, a sole proprietor cannot get a COI, which effectively locks them out of most commercial work in Florida.
Ghost Policy IS Right For You If:
- • You are a sole proprietor or single-member LLC
- • You have no employees (you do all the work yourself)
- • You need a COI to get licensed or work for a GC
- • You occasionally use subcontractors (not employees)
- • You want the lowest possible workers comp cost
Ghost Policy is NOT Right For You If:
- • You have any W-2 employees
- • You use workers who are not licensed/insured subs
- • You want personal coverage for your own injuries
- • You are growing and plan to hire soon
- • Your GC requires coverage for all workers on site
Ghost Policy for General Contractors in Florida
GC ghost policies are common for owner-operators who sub out all work and have no direct employees.
The NCCI class code for general contractors in Florida is 5606, with a base rate of approximately ~$6–$10 per $100 of payroll. For a ghost policy with no payroll, you pay the carrier's minimum premium — typically $800–$1,500 per year.
Bright Coast Insurance works with multiple carriers that offer ghost policies for general contractors. We can typically bind coverage and issue a COI within 24–48 hours.
How to Get a Ghost Policy in Florida
Contact Bright Coast Insurance
Call us or submit a quote request. We'll confirm your trade, business structure, and licensing requirements.
Complete the Application
We'll gather basic business information and file the owner exclusion form (DWC-251) with the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation.
Receive Your COI
Once bound, we issue your certificate of insurance — typically within 24–48 hours. We can send it directly to your GC or licensing board.
Ghost Policy FAQs — General Contractors
Why do general contractors get ghost policies in Florida?
General contractors who operate as sole proprietors — subbing out all work to licensed, insured subcontractors — often have no direct employees. A ghost policy lets them get a COI to satisfy licensing requirements and work for other GCs or developers without paying for a full payroll-based policy.
What class code is used for a general contractor ghost policy in Florida?
Florida general contractor ghost policies are typically written under NCCI class code 5606 (Contractors — Executive Supervisors or Construction Superintendents). The base rate is approximately $6–$10 per $100 of payroll. Annual ghost policy cost is typically $800–$1,400.
Does a GC ghost policy cover subcontractors' employees in Florida?
No. A ghost policy covers no one — not the owner, not subcontractors, and not any employees. If a subcontractor you hire does not have their own workers comp, you as the GC may be liable for their injuries under Florida's statutory employer doctrine. Always collect COIs from every subcontractor before work begins.
Can a general contractor with a ghost policy hire employees in Florida?
No. The moment you hire a W-2 employee, you must convert to a standard workers comp policy. A ghost policy is only valid when there are zero employees. Continuing to operate under a ghost policy after hiring employees is insurance fraud and violates Florida Statute 440.
What is a ghost policy for workers comp in Florida?
A ghost policy (also called a sole proprietor workers comp policy) is a workers compensation policy that covers a business owner who has no employees. The owner is excluded from coverage, so the policy has no payroll and costs very little — typically $800–$1,500 per year. It exists solely to provide a certificate of insurance (COI) that satisfies contractor licensing and job site requirements.
Who needs a ghost policy in Florida?
Florida sole proprietors and single-member LLCs in the construction industry often need a ghost policy to obtain a contractor's license, bid on jobs, or work on job sites that require proof of workers comp coverage. Without a ghost policy, you cannot get a COI, which means you cannot work for most general contractors or government projects.
Is a ghost policy legal in Florida?
Yes. Ghost policies are legal in Florida and widely used by sole proprietors and owner-operators in the construction trades. The business owner files an exclusion form (DWC-251) with the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation, which removes them from coverage. The policy is then technically a zero-payroll policy that satisfies the legal requirement to carry workers comp.
Get Your Ghost Policy COI Today
Most ghost policies bind within 24–48 hours. Call Bright Coast Insurance or request a quote online.