Insurance
Workers comp, general liability, and exemptions in Florida
We help you get the insurance your activity and your contracts require: workers compensation, general liability, commercial auto, and the owner exemption when it applies.
1 employee
triggers workers comp in construction
4 employees
in every other industry
Certificate
ready for your contractor
The insurance they ask for and the insurance that protects you
In construction, most owners discover workers comp when a general contractor asks for the certificate before they can start the job. Without that paper you do not get on site, and getting it at the last minute is slower and more expensive. The same happens with general liability when the client is a company or a managed property.
In Florida the threshold differs by industry: in construction workers comp is triggered by the first employee, and in every other field by the fourth. If you are an owner working alone, in many cases you can request the state exemption, which is what lets you present yourself formally without paying for a policy that does not apply to you. But the exemption has conditions and does not cover everyone.
Our job is that you buy neither too much nor too little. We review your activity, your contracts, and your team, tell you what is actually required, handle the filing, and put the certificate in your hand. And if we run your payroll, the numbers the carrier uses to calculate the premium come from the same source.
Workers comp policy or owner exemption
They are not free alternatives: which one applies depends on your industry and on whether you have staff.
| Point of comparison | Workers comp policy | Owner exemption |
|---|---|---|
| When it applies | When you have employees covered by the law. | Company owner, with no covered employees. |
| In construction | Required from the first employee. | Up to three corporate officers can request it. |
| What it covers | Workplace accidents and occupational illness for your staff. | Nothing: it excludes you from the requirement. |
| Cost | A premium based on payroll and class code. | A filing fee with the state. |
| What you show the contractor | A current certificate of insurance. | The state exemption certificate. |
The thresholds and conditions are set by the state of Florida and can change. We review your specific case before filing either route.
How the process works with us
Step 1
We review your exposure
Your activity, your team, and what your contracts require. That determines what you actually need.
Free consultation
Step 2
We find the coverage
We handle the quote based on your class code and history, and explain what it covers and what it does not.
Days
Step 3
Issue and certify
The policy or the exemption is issued and we hand you the certificate for your contractors.
On approval
Step 4
We renew on time
It stays in your calendar with an alert before expiration, so your coverage never lapses.
Every year
What we need to quote you
With this the carrier can give you a real number.
What has to stay current
An expired certificate has the same effect as no certificate.
- Workers comp policy
- Annual renewal
- Owner exemption
- Valid for two years
- General liability
- Annual renewal
- Commercial auto insurance
- Annual renewal
- Carrier payroll audit
- At the close of each policy
- Certificates for contractors
- Whenever they are requested
“I was working informally as an independent. Reachers pushed me to form my company and helped me with the workers comp exemption and general liability.”
Testimonial published with the client’s consent. Results vary by case.
Frequently asked questions about business insurance in Florida
When is workers comp required in Florida?+–
In construction, from the first employee. In every other industry, from the fourth employee. Agriculture has its own rules. On top of that, many contractors require it by contract even when the law does not yet oblige you.
What is the workers comp exemption and who can request it?+–
It is an exclusion the state grants to company owners so they are not covered by the policy. In construction, up to three officers of a corporation with at least 10% ownership can request it; in other industries the conditions differ. It is not insurance: it does not cover you if you are injured.
My contractor is asking for a certificate of insurance. What do I need?+–
It depends on what the contract requires: usually workers comp, general liability, and sometimes commercial auto. Bring us the requirement in writing and we arrange exactly what they ask for, with the certificate naming the contractor if they request it.
How much does workers comp cost?+–
The carrier calculates the premium from your payroll, your class code, and your claims history. A roofer and an office worker pay very different rates on the same salary. That is why classifying the activity correctly moves the price the most.
Does general liability cover the same thing as workers comp?+–
No. Workers comp covers your staff if they are injured on the job. General liability covers damage your operation causes to third parties or their property. They are different coverages and many contracts require both.
Are you the insurance carrier?+–
No. We walk you through the assessment, the filing, and the renewal, and coordinate with the carriers and with the state. The policy is issued by the carrier and the exemption is granted by the state of Florida.
Business insurance for the Tampa area
We meet clients from all over Hillsborough County in person at our Brandon office, and serve the rest of Florida remotely.
- Brandon
- Tampa
- Riverview
- Valrico
- Plant City
- Seffner
- Wesley Chapel
- Orlando
- Rest of the US remotely
Along with your insurance
Let’s see what insurance you actually need
Tell us what your company does and what your contractor is asking for. We will tell you what you need and what you do not.