Workers Comp Insurance for Roofers in Florida: Requirements and Average Costs

Florida classifies roofing as construction work, and Florida construction employers must carry workers compensation from the very first employee. The state has a long history of workers comp fraud in the roofing industry, which has led to stricter enforcement and higher average premiums than many other states. If you are running a roofing crew in Florida, the rules are worth understanding before you take on a subcontractor or hire your first employee.

Quick Answer

Estimated workers comp premiums for Florida roofing contractors:

Business Size	Annual Premium Range
1 to 3 employees	$5,500 to $13,000 per year
4 to 10 employees	$13,000 to $30,000 per year
10 to 25 employees	$30,000 to $72,000 per year

Florida roofing premiums reflect class code 5551 (Roofing, all kinds), one of the highest-rate classifications in the state. Your experience modifier and subcontractor certificate practices significantly affect your actual premium.

Florida's Construction Rule

Florida Statute 440.02 defines construction to include roofing, framing, and related trades. For construction employers, workers comp is required when you have even one employee, including yourself if you are a corporate officer who has not filed a valid exemption.

For non-construction employers in Florida, the threshold is four or more employees. Roofing does not get that threshold. One roofer on payroll, and you need coverage.

Exemptions for Corporate Officers

Florida allows up to three corporate officers per construction company to exempt themselves from workers comp coverage. An exemption means that person is not counted as an employee for coverage purposes and is not covered if injured.

Exemptions require a Florida Certificate of Election to be Exempt, filed with the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation. The certificate has a two-year expiration. Common mistakes:

• Letting the exemption expire (puts you back under coverage requirements mid-project)
• Filing for more than three officers (only the first three are valid)
• Claiming exemption as a sole proprietor or LLC member (the exemption process is specific to corporate officers)

A subcontractor who tells you they are exempt should provide a current certificate. Verify it at the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation website.

What Workers Comp Covers in Florida

Medical benefits. All authorized medical treatment for work-related injuries. Florida workers comp requires treatment through authorized providers. Unauthorized treatment may not be reimbursed.

Temporary total disability (TTD). Pays 66.67% of the average weekly wage during the recovery period, subject to state maximums. TTD is limited to 104 weeks unless the worker reaches maximum medical improvement earlier.

Impairment benefits. Once the worker reaches maximum medical improvement, if there is permanent impairment, benefits continue as impairment income benefits (IIBs) at 75% of TTD for the first 3% of impairment and varying rates above that.

Death benefits. Surviving dependents receive ongoing benefits based on the worker's wages, plus burial expenses.

Subcontractor Rules and Fraud History

Florida has had significant workers comp fraud in the roofing industry. Common schemes include:

• Roofers improperly claiming officer exemptions to work without coverage
• Certificates of insurance that list valid policies but were obtained with falsified payroll
• Staffing companies providing workers who are misclassified as independent contractors

If a subcontractor you hire is injured and their workers comp coverage turns out to be invalid, your carrier may treat that subcontractor as your employee. This can result in significant audit adjustments at renewal.

Best practice: require a current certificate of insurance from every subcontractor before they start work. Call the carrier on the certificate to verify the policy is active. Keep copies.

The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation runs a certificate verification system online.

How Premiums Are Set

Florida uses class code 5551 for all roofing work. The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) sets advisory rates that carriers use as a base. For Florida roofing, base rates typically run $15 to $22 per $100 of payroll.

Experience modifier. Calculated by NCCI after three years of qualifying premium history. A clean claims record produces a modifier below 1.00. A serious injury claim drives it up and stays on the modifier calculation for three policy years.

Payroll classification audit. At the end of each policy year, your carrier audits actual payroll. Roofer payroll falls under 5551. Office staff use lower-rate classifications. Making sure each employee's payroll is correctly coded saves money at audit.

Hurricane season impact. Florida roofing companies often see demand spikes after major storms. Crews that expand quickly for storm work can face significant mid-term premium adjustments. Notify your carrier before hiring seasonal workers.

Licensing and Insurance Requirements

Florida requires licensed roofing contractors (Certified Roofing Contractor license through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, or county roofing registration). License maintenance requires proof of current insurance, including workers comp when employees are on payroll.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many officers can exempt themselves from workers comp in a Florida roofing company?

Up to three. Each must file a Florida Certificate of Election to be Exempt with the Division of Workers' Compensation. The certificate expires every two years. If your company has more than three officers, only the first three exemptions are valid.

What do I do if a subcontractor's exemption turns out to be invalid?

If an investigation finds the exemption certificate was fraudulent or expired, your carrier may include that subcontractor's payroll in your premium calculation. In serious cases, the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation can impose penalties on employers who knowingly use invalidly exempt workers. Always verify exemption certificates online before work begins.

Does workers comp cover hurricane repair work?

Yes. Injuries that occur during post-hurricane repair work are covered the same as any other work-related injury. However, if you expand your crew significantly for storm work, notify your carrier so your policy accurately reflects the payroll increase. Undisclosed payroll at audit results in back premiums plus interest.

Can a sole proprietor in roofing carry workers comp for themselves?

A sole proprietor with no employees is not required to carry workers comp in Florida. But you can elect to cover yourself by purchasing a policy. This is worth considering if you work on job sites where you could be seriously injured and need income replacement during recovery.

What is the penalty for operating without workers comp in Florida?

The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation issues stop-work orders for employers operating without required coverage. A stop-work order shuts down all operations. Penalties typically include a fine equal to twice the amount of the unpaid premium over the period of non-compliance. Penalties can reach tens of thousands of dollars for extended non-compliance.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance or legal advice. Requirements and premiums vary by carrier, business size, and individual circumstances. Consult a licensed insurance agent for guidance specific to your situation.

Sources

• Florida Division of Workers' Compensation
• Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
• NCCI Florida Workers Compensation
• Florida Statutes Chapter 440