Florida Workers' Compensation Insurance
Everything you need to know about workers' comp in Florida: when it's required, who's exempt, average rates, and how to get coverage in 60 seconds.
When is workers' comp required in Florida?
Required for non-construction employers with 4+ employees, construction with 1+, agricultural with 6+ regular or 12+ seasonal employees.
Sole proprietor & partnership rules
Sole proprietors in construction are NOT exempt — must have coverage. Non-construction sole props may be exempt..
Owner / corporate officer exclusion
Construction owners can apply for exemption (max 3 per corp); non-construction can exempt up to 3 officers per corp.
Form: Construction Exemption Application
Florida-specific notes
Famous for 'ghost policies' in construction — minimum-payroll policies just to satisfy contractor requirements. Florida's Bureau of Compliance enforces aggressively.
How much does workers' comp cost in Florida?
The average workers' comp rate in Florida is approximately $1.42 per $100 of payroll. Your actual rate depends on your industry class code, claims history, payroll size, and carrier.
Example: a Florida business with $100,000 in payroll at the state average rate would pay approximately $1,420 per year. A clerical-only business (class code 8810) would pay much less; a roofing contractor (5551) would pay much more.
Want an exact rate for your business?
Class code rates vary widely. Get a free quote and we'll look up your exact Florida rate for your industry.
Get My Florida Quote →Florida workers' comp by industry
Industry-specific rates, common class codes, and requirements for Florida businesses:
Frequently asked — Florida workers' comp
Do I need workers' comp if I have only one employee in Florida?
Florida requires workers' comp once you have 4 or more employees. With fewer than 4 you may be exempt — but check construction-specific rules in your state.
Are 1099 contractors covered under my Florida workers' comp policy?
Generally no — true independent contractors are not employees and not covered. However, Florida (like most states) applies an "ABC test" or similar to determine if a 1099 worker is actually a misclassified employee. If they're misclassified, you may owe back premium and penalties. Many general contractors require their 1099 subs to carry their own workers' comp.
Can I get pay-as-you-go workers' comp in Florida?
Yes — most major carriers offer pay-as-you-go workers' comp in Florida, with premium based on actual payroll each pay period instead of a large upfront deposit.
What if I'm being audited by my Florida workers' comp carrier?
Workers' comp audits often result in additional premium owed because of misclassified employees, missed payroll, or wrong class codes. We offer free audit reviews and can dispute incorrect classifications with your carrier. In many cases we save clients thousands.