Ghost Policy for Roofers
Florida Workers Comp
As a roofers 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 Roofers in Florida
Roofing is the highest-risk trade in Florida. Ghost policies for roofers are available but limited to select carriers.
The NCCI class code for roofers in Florida is 5551, with a base rate of approximately ~$28–$35 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 roofers. 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 — Roofers
Can a roofing contractor get a ghost policy in Florida?
Yes, but options are more limited than other trades. Roofing is the highest-risk classification in Florida workers comp, so fewer carriers offer ghost policies for roofers. Bright Coast Insurance works with specialty markets that write roofing ghost policies. Expect to pay $1,200–$2,500 per year for a roofing ghost policy versus $800–$1,500 for lower-risk trades.
Why can't roofing corporate officers exempt themselves from workers comp in Florida?
Florida Statute 440.02 specifically excludes roofing contractors from the officer exemption that other construction trades can use. This means every roofing corporate officer must be covered under a workers comp policy — there is no ghost policy option for roofing companies with officers. Sole proprietors operating as individuals (not corporations) can still get a ghost policy.
What class code is used for a Florida roofing ghost policy?
Florida roofing ghost policies are written under NCCI class code 5551 (Roofing — All Kinds). The base rate for this code is among the highest in Florida construction, typically $28–$35 per $100 of payroll. For a ghost policy with no payroll, you pay the carrier's minimum premium, which is usually $1,200–$2,500 per year.
Do I need a ghost policy to get my Florida roofing contractor license?
Yes. The Florida DBPR requires proof of workers comp coverage (or a valid exemption) to issue or renew a roofing contractor license. Since roofing officers cannot file an exemption, a ghost policy is the only option for sole proprietors who want to get licensed without employees. The ghost policy generates the COI that DBPR requires.
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.