Workers' Compensation Insurance for Businesses

Florida's workers' comp rules are specific, enforcement is active, and the penalties for non-compliance are serious. We help Broward County business owners understand exactly where they stand — and get the right coverage in place.

What Florida Law Actually Requires

Florida's workers' compensation requirements depend on your industry, not just your headcount. The rules are specific, and getting them wrong can trigger a stop-work order from the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation — which shuts down your business until coverage is confirmed.

 

Here's how the thresholds break down:

 

  • Construction businesses: Required from the first employee, with no minimum headcount exemption. This includes contractors, subcontractors, and sole proprietors in the trades.
  • Non-construction businesses: Required when you have 4 or more employees, including part-time workers.
  • Agricultural businesses: Required when you have 6 or more regular employees or 12 or more seasonal workers employed simultaneously for more than 30 days.

 

If you're not sure which category applies to your business — or whether a 1099 subcontractor counts toward your threshold — that's exactly the kind of question we answer every day.

What Happens If You're Not Covered

The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation conducts active compliance audits, including on-site inspections at job sites. If your business is found operating without required coverage, the state can issue a stop-work order on the spot — halting all operations until you come into compliance and pay assessed penalties.

Got a Stop-Work Order? Call Us Today.

If you've received a stop-work order from the state, the clock is already running. We understand the urgency, and we know what's needed to get qualifying businesses covered and back to work as quickly as possible. Call our office directly — we'll assess your situation, explain your options, and work to get a policy placed without unnecessary delay.

What's Included in a Workers' Comp Policy

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Medical Benefits

Workers' comp covers the cost of medical treatment for injuries and illnesses that occur on the job — emergency care, follow-up visits, physical therapy, prescriptions, and any other care directly related to the workplace injury. There are no deductibles or copays for the employee to navigate. The policy handles it.

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Lost Wage Replacement

If an injured employee can't work during recovery, workers' comp replaces a portion of their lost wages — typically around two-thirds of their average weekly wage, up to a state-set maximum. This keeps the employee financially stable while they heal, and it keeps the claim out of your business's operating account.

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Employer Liability Protection

Part B of a standard workers' comp policy — employer's liability — provides coverage if an injured employee or their family pursues legal action outside the workers' comp system. It's a layer of protection that matters most in more complex injury situations, and it's included as a standard component of the policies we place.

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Coverage for Occupational Illness

Workers' comp isn't limited to acute injuries. It also covers occupational illnesses — conditions that develop over time as a result of workplace exposure, like repetitive stress injuries, hearing loss from prolonged noise exposure, or respiratory conditions tied to job-site materials. If the condition is causally linked to the work, it's covered.

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Workers' Comp Questions We Hear From Business Owners

  • Does Florida require workers' comp for a sole proprietor with no employees?

    Not automatically, but it depends on your industry. Sole proprietors in construction are generally required to have coverage or obtain a valid exemption. Outside of construction, a sole proprietor with no employees is typically not required to carry workers' comp — but the moment you add employees, the threshold rules apply. If you're unsure, call us and we'll walk through your specific situation.

  • Do independent contractors count toward my employee total for workers' comp purposes?

    Sometimes. Florida law looks at the actual working relationship, not just how someone is classified on paper. If a contractor is found to be functioning as an employee under state guidelines, they may count toward your threshold. This is one of the most common compliance gray areas we see, and it's worth getting a straight answer before an audit does it for you.

  • Can I get a workers' comp exemption instead of buying a policy?

    Florida does allow certain business owners — sole proprietors, partners, and corporate officers in some industries — to apply for an exemption from workers' comp coverage. Construction industry exemptions are limited and tightly regulated. An exemption means you're opting out of coverage for yourself, not for your employees. If you have employees who don't qualify for their own exemption, you still need a policy for them.

  • How is my workers' comp premium calculated?

    Premiums are based on your total payroll, the classification codes assigned to the types of work your employees perform, and your experience modification rate — a factor that reflects your claims history over time. Higher-risk classifications carry higher base rates. A clean claims history can lower your mod and reduce your premium over time.

  • We've been in business for years without a claim. Why is our premium still going up?

    Florida workers' comp rates are set at the state level by the National Council on Compensation Insurance and approved by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. Rate changes reflect statewide loss trends, not just your individual claims history. Your experience mod helps, but it can only offset so much when base rates move. We can review your current policy and classifications to make sure you're not paying more than you should be.

Serving Fort Lauderdale and Broward County Since 1993

We've been helping South Florida businesses navigate workers' compensation insurance for over 30 years. Our team works with business owners across Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Plantation, Wilton Manors, and Parkland — from single-crew operations to established companies with larger workforces. Every policy we place is handled in-house by real people who know this market. If you have questions about Florida workers' comp requirements or want to review your current coverage, give us a call or send us a message.