Quick answer
Florida requires workers' compensation for construction employers with one or more employees, most other employers with four or more, and farms with six regular or 12 seasonal workers. It pays injured employees' medical care and lost wages, and generally protects the employer from being sued over the same injury. Corporate officers count as employees unless they hold a state exemption.
Coverage Overview
Florida requires workers' compensation for most employers with four or more employees - construction businesses need it starting at just one - and it's often misunderstood as optional until a claim forces the issue.
What workers' compensation covers
- Medical costs for an employee injured or made ill on the job
- Lost wage replacement while an injured employee recovers
- Death benefits for a workplace fatality
- "Exclusive remedy" protection for the employer - in most cases, an employee covered by workers' comp can't also sue the business over the same injury
Carriers we compare
We place workers' compensation through AmTrust Financial Services, built to underwrite small and mid-sized employers efficiently.
Workers Compensation Insurance FAQ
How many employees trigger the Florida workers' comp requirement?
Four or more employees for most industries - but construction businesses are required to carry it starting with just one employee, including many owners, which catches new contractors off guard.
What does workers' comp cover that general liability doesn't?
Workers' comp covers your own employees' injuries and illnesses from the job; general liability covers third parties like customers or vendors. They're not interchangeable. Florida law requires workers' comp once you reach your industry's employee threshold; general liability is usually required by landlords, clients and, for licensed contractors, the licensing board.
What is an experience modification factor and how does it affect my premium?
It's a number (starting at 1.0) that adjusts your premium up or down based on your business's actual claims history compared to similar businesses in your industry - a history of fewer or smaller claims lowers it, while frequent or severe claims raise it, directly affecting what you pay each year.
What it usually doesn't cover
- Injuries to customers and the public. General liability insurance →
- Truly independent contractors. In construction, an uninsured subcontractor is usually treated as your employee, so collect each sub's certificate or exemption.
- Injuries from an employee's intoxication or a willful refusal to use safety equipment, which can reduce or bar benefits.
Every policy is different. Your declarations page and policy form decide what's covered.
Have this ready before you ask for a quote
- FEIN and legal business name
- Payroll by job type for the past year and next year
- Number of employees, including part-time
- Owners and officers, and any DFS exemptions
- Subcontractors you use, and their certificates of insurance
- Prior workers' comp policies and claims (loss runs)
Don't have everything? Send what you have; an agent will ask for the rest. Coverage can't be bound or changed through this website.