GL Class Code Lookup
Search the complete ISO General Liability classification system — 200+ GL class codes for every industry. Find your code, see the rating basis, and understand how your classification affects your premium. Free, no login required.
System
ISO
Coverage
Florida
Codes Listed
328+
Industries
14
GL class codes are ISO codes used by admitted carriers to rate commercial general liability policies. Most FL policies are rated on gross receipts. Rates vary by carrier and risk profile — contact us for a quote specific to your business.
Contractors & Trades
(103 codes)Restaurants & Food Service
(22 codes)Retail Stores
(33 codes)Hotels & Hospitality
(7 codes)Recreation & Sports
(31 codes)Auto Services
(10 codes)Professional Services
(22 codes)Health & Wellness
(15 codes)Real Estate & Property
(9 codes)Transportation & Logistics
(6 codes)Utilities & Energy
(5 codes)Government, Nonprofit & Community
(6 codes)Other Services
(29 codes)Manufacturing
(30 codes)How ISO GL Class Codes Work
ISO (Insurance Services Office) maintains the standard general liability classification system used by most admitted carriers in the United States. Each GL class code is a 5-digit number that identifies a specific type of business operation and determines how the policy is rated.
Unlike workers' compensation codes (which are NCCI codes assigned per employee job duty), GL class codes classify the entire business operation. A roofing contractor has one GL class code that covers the company — not one per worker.
The code determines the base rate per unit of exposure. Most businesses are rated on gross receipts (per $1,000 of annual revenue). Some trades are rated on payroll, square footage, or number of admissions depending on the nature of the risk.
Rating Basis by Industry
Most contractors, service businesses, and retailers. Rate is per $1,000 of annual revenue.
Examples: Roofing, HVAC, landscaping, plumbing
Some contractor trades and staffing operations. Rate is per $100 of payroll.
Examples: Certain specialty trades, temporary staffing
Retail stores, restaurants, and premises-based businesses. Rate is per 1,000 sq ft.
Examples: Restaurants, retail, warehouses
Entertainment venues, sports facilities, and recreation businesses.
Examples: Golf courses, gyms, event venues
Certain specialized classes with unique exposure metrics.
Examples: Parking lots, vending machines
Most Common GL Class Code Misclassifications
Misclassification can void coverage at claim time. These are the most frequently misassigned codes in Florida:
| Business Type | Wrong Code | Correct Code |
|---|---|---|
| Roofing contractor (self-performs) | 91342 (GC) | 98677 (Roofing) |
| Landscaper with tree trimming | 97047 (Landscaping) | 97050 (Tree Trimming) |
| Restaurant with catering | 16910 (Restaurant) | 16900 + 16910 |
| GC who subcontracts roofing | 98677 (Roofing) | 91342 (GC) |
| Software company with on-site work | 41677 (Software) | 41677 + trade code |
| Plumber adding HVAC services | 98483 (Plumbing) | 98483 + 98344 (HVAC) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a GL class code and how does it affect my premium?
A GL (General Liability) class code is a 5-digit ISO code that insurance carriers use to classify your business by type and risk level. The code determines your base rate per $1,000 of gross receipts (or per unit of payroll, area, or admissions depending on the class). A roofing contractor (code 98677) pays a dramatically different rate than a software consultant (code 41677) because the underlying risk profile is different. ISO — Insurance Services Office — maintains the standard classification system used by most admitted carriers nationwide.
How is a GL class code different from a workers comp class code?
Workers comp class codes are NCCI codes that classify individual employees by job duty. GL class codes are ISO codes that classify the entire business operation. A roofing contractor uses NCCI code 5551 for workers comp and ISO code 98677 or 98678 for general liability — they are completely separate systems maintained by different rating organizations. Getting one right does not mean the other is correct.
What triggers a general liability premium audit in Florida?
Most GL policies are auditable, meaning the carrier reviews your actual gross receipts (or payroll/area) at policy expiration and adjusts the premium. Common audit triggers include: gross receipts significantly higher than estimated at inception, adding new operations or trades mid-term, hiring subcontractors without certificates of insurance, and changes in the type of work performed. If your actual exposure exceeds the estimate, you will owe additional premium. Bright Coast Insurance can help you set realistic estimates upfront to avoid large audit bills.
Do I need general liability insurance in Florida?
Florida does not universally mandate GL insurance, but it is required in practice for most businesses. Licensed contractors must carry GL as a condition of their DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) license — minimums are $300,000 for most trades and $1,000,000 for roofing. Commercial landlords, lenders, and general contractors require subcontractors to carry GL before work begins. Many municipalities require proof of GL before issuing a business license or building permit.
Which GL class codes are most commonly misclassified in Florida?
The most common misclassifications in Florida involve contractors: a general contractor who also self-performs roofing should carry code 98677 (roofing) rather than a lower-rated GC code. Landscapers are frequently misclassified under a general maintenance code instead of code 97047 (landscaping). Restaurants that add catering or alcohol service often need a code change. Misclassification can void coverage at claim time — if your business has changed since you first purchased GL, contact us to review your classification.
How do I find the right GL class code for my Florida business?
Use the search tool on this page to find your code by business type or keyword. If your operation spans multiple activities, your carrier will typically assign the code that best describes your primary revenue-generating activity — or split the policy across multiple codes if the operations are distinct. Contact Bright Coast Insurance at (239) 475-0361 for expert guidance on GL classification before you bind coverage.
Related Coverage for Florida Businesses
General liability is one piece of a complete business insurance program. Most Florida contractors and businesses also need:
Why Bright Coast Insurance
The Difference Between Buying Insurance and Actually Being Covered
Online carriers make it easy to buy a policy. What they don't make easy is understanding what you bought, what it excludes, and what happens when you have a claim. That's the gap Bright Coast fills.
Multiple Markets, Not One Rate
We're independent agents — we work for you, not for a carrier. We shop your coverage across admitted and surplus lines markets to find the best combination of rate and coverage for your specific operation. Online platforms give you one carrier's rate and call it a quote.
Audit and Claims Experience
When a GL or workers' comp audit comes back inflated, or a claim gets denied on a technicality, you need someone who knows how to push back. We've handled hundreds of Florida contractor audits and claim disputes. That experience is what you're paying for — not just a policy number.
Same-Day Certificates
Our clients can request certificates of insurance 24/7 through our portal. Standard COIs are issued immediately. Custom additional insured wording is turned around the same business day. A delayed COI costs you jobs — we make sure that never happens.
Florida Contractor Specialization
We specialize in Florida contractor insurance. We know the DBPR requirements, the JUA, the difference between admitted and surplus lines markets, and why certain trades get declined by standard carriers. That depth of knowledge shows up when you need it most.
A Real Agent, Not a Support Ticket
When Next Insurance denied a contractor's claim because of a hidden per-job exclusion he never knew about, there was no one to call. With Bright Coast, you have a named agent who knows your policy, your operation, and your claims history. When something goes wrong, you're not starting from scratch.
Honest Advice Before You Buy
We'll tell you when a surplus lines carrier is the right call and why. We'll explain the difference between a $300K and a $1M limit in plain terms. We'll tell you what your policy doesn't cover before you bind — not after a claim is denied.
Bright Coast vs. Online Carriers
Independent Florida Insurance Agency vs. Direct Online Carriers
| What Matters | Bright Coast | Next / Hiscox / CoverWallet |
|---|---|---|
| Market access | Multiple admitted + surplus lines carriers | One carrier, one rate |
| Audit guidance | Proactive — before the bill arrives | Not offered |
| Claims advocacy | Agent stays involved | Self-service portal |
| COI turnaround | Same day — standard and custom | 2–5 business days for custom wording |
| Policy exclusions explained | Reviewed at binding | Buried in documents |
| Florida specialization | Contractor-focused, Florida-only | 50-state generalist platform |
Get a quote from an agent who specializes in Florida contractors
Tell us about your operation. We'll show you what the market looks like, explain every number, and make sure you're actually covered — not just technically insured.
For Insurance Agents & Brokers
Using This GL Class Code Lookup for Underwriting Research
This tool is used by agents and brokers across the country to look up ISO general liability class codes, verify basis-of-premium rules (payroll vs. gross sales vs. area), and identify the correct code for specialty or hard-to-classify risks. Below are the most common underwriting questions we see from agents.
How do I find the right GL code for a mixed-trade contractor?
When a contractor performs multiple trades (e.g. general contracting + roofing), the policy should reflect the dominant trade by payroll or revenue. Use the highest-rated applicable code as the primary classification. Carriers may require separate codes for each trade if the split exceeds 20–30% of total operations. Search by trade name above to compare codes side by side.
Payroll vs. gross sales — which basis applies?
ISO GL uses three premium bases: payroll (most contractor codes), gross sales (retail, restaurants, service businesses), and area/sq ft (habitational, parking). The basis column in this lookup shows which applies. Misclassifying the basis is one of the most common GL audit triggers — especially for contractors who use subcontractors and need to track 1099 payroll separately.
Which codes are eligible for Florida Workers' Comp exemptions?
Codes marked FWC in this lookup are eligible for Florida Workers' Comp coverage alongside GL. Florida construction contractors (CGC, CBC, CRC license holders) can file a WC exemption for up to 3 officers, which affects how GL audits are calculated. See our WC Exemption Lookup tool.
Hard-to-place GL risks — when to refer to Bright Coast
Roofing (codes 97447, 91551), demolition (95625), structural steel (94007), and environmental contractors often fall outside standard admitted markets. Bright Coast works with E&S markets and specialty carriers for these classes. If you have a client you cannot place, our agent referral program pays a referral fee and handles the placement.
Are you a licensed agent or broker?
Bright Coast works with agents on hard-to-place contractor GL, specialty class codes, and Florida surplus lines. Ask about our referral program.
Found Your GL Class Code?
Get a free general liability quote from Bright Coast Insurance. We work with multiple admitted carriers to find the best rate for your business class.
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