Frequently Asked Questions

Most Florida contractors need general liability insurance, workers compensation (required for construction companies with one or more employees), commercial auto, and depending on their trade, inland marine (tools and equipment), builders risk, and umbrella liability coverage. The specific requirements depend on your trade, project types, and contract obligations.

Contractor insurance costs in Florida vary based on trade classification, payroll size, claims history, and coverage limits. General liability for a small contractor can range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands annually. Workers compensation rates are set by NCCI class codes. The best way to get an accurate estimate is through a coverage review that accounts for your specific operations.

In many cases, we can secure coverage within 24 to 48 hours after receiving your information. Rush placements are sometimes possible for time-sensitive projects. The timeline depends on the complexity of your operations and the carriers involved.

Yes. Florida requires proof of insurance as part of the contractor licensing process. The specific requirements vary by license type, but general liability and workers compensation are typically required. Some local jurisdictions have additional requirements beyond the state minimums.

General liability insurance covers third-party bodily injury and property damage claims arising from your operations. This includes injuries to non-employees on your jobsite, damage to a client's property during work, and completed operations claims that arise after you finish a project. It does not cover employee injuries (that is covered by workers comp) or damage to your own equipment. Learn more about GL coverage.

An occurrence policy covers incidents that happen during the policy period, regardless of when the claim is filed. A claims-made policy only covers claims that are both made and reported during the active policy period. Most contractor GL policies are written on an occurrence basis, which generally provides broader long-term protection.

Standard GL limits are $1 million per occurrence and $2 million general aggregate. However, many contracts, especially with general contractors and commercial project owners, require higher limits or per-project aggregates. Umbrella coverage can provide additional limits above your base GL policy.

An additional insured endorsement extends your liability coverage to another party, typically a general contractor or property owner who requires it as part of a contract. This means if a claim arises from your work, the additional insured party is also protected under your policy. Most commercial contracts in Florida require this endorsement.

In Florida, construction companies with one or more employees are required to carry workers compensation insurance. This includes part-time and seasonal workers. Corporate officers and LLC members can file for exemptions, but doing so carries significant risk if an injury occurs. Learn more about workers comp.

At the end of your policy period, the carrier audits your actual payroll and subcontractor payments against the estimated figures used to set your premium. If your actual numbers are higher, you owe additional premium. If they are lower, you may receive a refund. Misclassified employees or uninsured subcontractors can lead to significant audit surcharges.

Yes, corporate officers and LLC members in construction can file for workers compensation exemptions in Florida. However, if you are injured on the job, you will not have coverage for medical expenses or lost wages. Many general contractors also require their subcontractors to carry workers comp regardless of exemption status.

Yes. Collecting certificates of insurance (COIs) from subcontractors is critical. If a subcontractor causes an injury or property damage and does not have proper coverage, the claim can flow up to your policy. Verifying their coverage before they start work protects your business and can prevent costly audit adjustments.

If your subcontractor does not carry their own insurance, you may be held liable for their claims. Their employees could be added to your workers comp policy during an audit, and any liability claims arising from their work could fall to your GL policy. This is one of the most common and costly exposures for contractors.

Potentially, yes. In Florida, if a subcontractor does not carry workers compensation and their employee is injured, the hiring contractor can be held responsible for those claims. This is called "statutory employer" liability. Requiring proof of workers comp coverage from every subcontractor is the primary defense against this exposure.

We start by reviewing your current policies, operations, and contract requirements. This helps us identify gaps and exposures that your current coverage may not address. From there, we structure a program and place it with carriers that understand construction risk. The entire process typically takes a few days from initial contact to a proposal.

Most quotes are ready within 24 to 48 hours after we receive your information. More complex programs involving multiple coverage lines or specialty risks may take a few additional days. We prioritize fast turnarounds, especially when you have a project deadline or expiring policy.

Yes. We handle certificate of insurance (COI) requests for our clients. Whether you need a standard COI, additional insured endorsements, or waivers of subrogation for specific projects, we can typically issue them the same day.