Florida Workers Compensation Insurance

Florida WC employee thresholds

• Construction: 1 or more employees (including the business owner in most cases)
• Non-construction: 4 or more employees
• Agricultural: 6 or more regular employees, or 12+ seasonal workers (more than 30 days)

Specific industries (some healthcare, transportation) have different rules. We confirm the applicable threshold during the quote based on your operations.

Florida construction owner exemptions

Florida allows up to three corporate officers in a construction business to file an exemption with the state. The exemption removes the officer from being counted as an employee for WC purposes. Sole proprietors and non-corporate partners must carry coverage on themselves once their business hits the 1-employee threshold.

How Florida WC premium is calculated

Premium is calculated as a rate per $100 of payroll, with the rate determined by NCCI class code (the type of work being performed) and the employer's experience modifier (a credit or surcharge based on prior claims history). Class codes range widely — clerical office work is typically under 0.5% of payroll, while roofing and structural steel can run 15%+.

We schedule each employee under the right class code so the premium is accurate. A mis-classified payroll often produces a substantial audit charge at year-end.

Florida WC claim process

1. Employee reports injury to employer
2. Employer notifies carrier within 7 days (Florida statute requirement)
3. Carrier files DWC-1 with the Florida Division of Workers Compensation
4. Carrier authorizes treatment with an approved medical provider
5. Carrier pays lost wages (typically two-thirds of average weekly wage) after the 7-day waiting period
6. Return-to-work plan coordinated by carrier and employer

Frequently asked questions