Florida law requires workers’ compensation for construction businesses with 1 or more employees. Other businesses need it at 4 or more employees. Farms need it at 6 regular or 12 seasonal workers. We are an independent agency in Pompano Beach. We shop 15+ carriers, quote for free and can bind most small accounts the same day.
Coverage terms, limits, and exclusions vary by carrier and policy form. We walk you through exactly what is and isn’t covered before you bind — no fine-print surprises.
| Business type | Coverage required at |
|---|---|
| Construction | 1 or more employees |
| Non-construction | 4 or more employees, full or part time |
| Agriculture | 6 or more regular employees, or 12 or more seasonal workers for more than 30 days |
Florida counts corporate officers as employees unless they file an exemption with the state. In construction, up to 3 officers can file one, and each must own at least 10% of the company. The exemption covers the officer only. Your employees still need coverage.
Sources: F.S. 440.02 and the DFS exemption page.
The Division of Workers’ Compensation issues a stop-work order. It applies to every job site you run in Florida. Work stays stopped until you get coverage and pay the penalty. The state lists the order on its website for at least 5 years.
The penalty is 2 times the premium you should have paid during the uninsured time in the last 12 months, or $1,000, whichever is greater. If you hid payroll or had a stop-work order before, the state looks back 24 months instead. Source: F.S. 440.107.
Premium = (payroll ÷ 100) × class code rate × experience mod
| Factor | What it means | How we lower it |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll | Your gross wages by job type | Split payroll correctly between office and field staff |
| Class code | The risk of the job (NCCI code) | Make sure no worker sits in a riskier code than their real duties |
| Experience mod | Your claims history compared with similar businesses | Report injuries fast and use a return-to-work program |
| Code | Work |
|---|---|
| 5551 | Roofing |
| 5645 | Residential carpentry |
| 5183 | Plumbing |
| 5190 | Electrical |
| 0042 | Landscaping |
| 9082 | Restaurants |
| 7219 | Trucking |
| 8810 | Office and clerical |
At your annual audit, the carrier checks your real payroll against your estimate. Read our workers’ comp audit guide.
Contractors usually need general liability too. See contractor insurance and general liability.
Don’t have everything? Send what you have to hello@byamericainsurance.com or request a quote. We fill in the rest with you.
Yes, for most employers. Construction businesses need it at 1 employee. Other businesses need it at 4, full or part time. Farms need it at 6 regular or 12 seasonal workers. Owners and corporate officers count as employees unless they file a state exemption.
Premium equals your payroll divided by 100, times your class code rate, times your experience mod. An office pays far less per $100 of payroll than a roofer. We quote your real numbers for free.
The state issues a stop-work order for every Florida job site you run. The penalty is 2 times the premium you should have paid during the uninsured time in the last 12 months, or $1,000, whichever is greater (F.S. 440.107).
Yes, for most small businesses. Call (561) 503-2696 or email hello@byamericainsurance.com with your payroll and employee details. We can quote and bind the same day.
Tell us a little about what you’re protecting. We’ll come back with options and real pricing — no obligation.
