If you’re a Florida small business owner, chances are you’ll need workers’ compensation insurance to protect your employees. We know how busy your life can be when you’re busy running a company, so we’ve distilled Florida’s workers’ compensation requirements down to the basics. That way, when you’re ready to get coverage for your employees, you’ll be informed and prepared to ensure you’re in compliance with the law.
Laws change, and every business situation is different, so be sure to consult your workers’ comp agent and/or legal counsel to confirm your business is meeting the requirements in Florida.
*Data pulled from the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation.
- In Florida, if you are in the construction industry and have one or more employees, OR if you are in a non-construction industry and have four or more employees, you must have workers’ compensation insurance. If you are in the agricultural industry and you have six regular employees and/or 12 seasonal workers, you must also have workers’ comp.
- According to Florida law, if you are a sole proprietor or a partner, you are not considered an employee of the organization. Therefore, you are not required to have workers’ compensation insurance coverage for yourself. You may, however, elect to obtain coverage.
- Business owners who are corporate officers or limited liability company (LLC) members are considered employees. Business owners and LLC members may elect to be exempt from coverage. However, getting workers’ compensation coverage is a wise decision, even if you’re not required to have it. Workers’ comp can provide valuable protection for you, your employees, and your business if you or a worker is injured on the job.
- If you’re a contractor in Florida, you may be responsible for providing workers’ compensation insurance for employees of subcontractors. If the subcontractor’s policy does not cover the employees who perform work for you, you are responsible for providing their coverage.
- To obtain workers’ compensation insurance in Florida, you can purchase coverage from a selection of private, commercial insurers who are licensed in the state. You can also apply to be self-insured by contacting the state workers’ compensation board. Florida does not have a state workers’ compensation fund.
- As an employer, you must postyour insurance carrier information, the expiration date of your policy, and an anti-fraud statement on the work premises. Supervisors and employees should be familiar with procedures for handling work-related injuries.
- Employees should report work-related injuries to their supervisor immediately, but they have up to 30 days to report the injury.
- As an employer, you should report work-related injuries immediately. You must notify your insurance company within seven days of knowledge of a work-related injury.
- As an employer, it is essential to understand and follow workers’ compensation laws in your state. In Florida, noncompliance can result in fines, penalties, or even jail time.
The organization that enforces workers’ compensation laws in Florida is the Division of Workers’ Compensation. You can read more about Florida’s workers’ compensation statutes and rules at Florida Chapter 440.
If navigating Florida’s workers’ compensation rules seems complicated, we can help! We’ve taken the guesswork out of the insurance process, and we’re passionate about providing affordable workers’ comp insurance for small businesses across the country.
Pie Insurance is proud to be a licensed provider of workers’ compensation insurance in the state of Florida.
Thanks for reading! Please note that this content is intended for educational purposes only. As laws change regularly, you should refer to your state legislation and/or an advisor for specific legal counsel. If you’re a small business owner, learn more about workers’ compensation insurance or check your current rate in 3 minutes.
