If you own or manage a business in Florida, Florida workers’ compensation insurance is not optional—it’s the law. Whether you’re in construction, retail, healthcare, or agriculture, having the right coverage protects your team and keeps your business compliant.
This 2025 guide explains the workers’ comp requirements in Florida, who must carry coverage, what policies include, how much they cost, and how to properly handle claims.
Who Must Carry Workers' Comp in Florida?
Florida law (Chapter 440, Florida Statutes) requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. The Division of Workers’ Compensation, part of the Department of Financial Services, enforces these rules.
Coverage thresholds by industry:
Construction: Required if you have one or more employees, including business owners (Covered under construction workers’ comp Florida law)
Non-construction industries: Coverage is required for businesses with four or more employees
Agriculture: Required if you employ six+ regular workers or twelve+ seasonal employees working more than 30 days in a season but no more than 45 days in a calendar year
Florida takes violations seriously. Failure to carry insurance can result in stop-work orders, daily fines, or even criminal penalties under Chapter 440, Florida Statutes.
Understanding Workers' Comp Exemptions
Florida does allow certain people to opt out of coverage—but only under specific rules. These workers’ comp exemptions Florida offers are most commonly used by:
- Corporate officers and LLC members who file a Notice of Election to be Exempt
- Sole proprietors and business partners who meet state-defined conditions
Keep in mind, exempted individuals are not covered if they get injured on the job. It’s critical to file exemption forms correctly and keep documentation updated.
What Does Florida Workers' Comp Insurance Cover?
Workers’ compensation policies in Florida offer no-fault protection. That means injured employees don’t need to prove their employer caused the accident to receive benefits.
Your policy typically includes:
Medical benefits: Covers hospital visits, physical therapy, prescriptions, and other authorized care
Temporary Total Disability (TTD): Replaces two-thirds of lost wages while unable to work (capped at $1,295 per week in 2025)
Permanent Impairment Benefits: Based on lasting damage after treatment is complete
Death benefits: Funeral expenses and up to $150,000 total in death benefits for dependents
Florida does not operate a state fund. All policies are purchased through private carriers, which has helped drive down rates.
According to the Florida workers’ comp 2025 update, employers will see a 1% decrease in premium rates. Since 2003, rates have dropped a cumulative 78% due to private market competition and improved safety efforts.
Want a simple breakdown of how workers’ comp works? Read our guide: Workers’ Comp Insurance Basics – What You Should Know.
How to Lower Premium Costs
Want to reduce your insurance expenses? Enroll in the drug-free workplace discount Florida offers. Certified businesses that test and educate employees about drug use may qualify for premium reductions of up to 5%.
Other cost-saving factors include:
- Maintaining a clean claims history
- Proper job classification codes
- Enrolling in safety training programs
- Annual review of your experience modification factor (MOD)
Common Injuries and Real-World Scenarios
Florida’s diverse industries mean different risks across different jobs. But some injury types are common across the board:
- Slips and falls: Occur in retail stores, restaurants, and hotels
- Overexertion and lifting injuries: Common in hospitals and long-term care facilities
- Equipment and tool accidents: Frequent in construction zones and warehouses
- Auto accidents: Affect delivery and transport workers across high-traffic cities like Orlando and Tampa
- Chemical exposure or heat stroke: Especially common in landscaping and agriculture during summer months
Estimated average claim costs by industry:
$45,000 – Construction claims (machinery, falls)
$30,000 – Healthcare (lifting injuries, exposure)
$15,000 – Retail (slips, trip hazards)
These costs directly influence your premiums, so prevention pays off.
Florida Workers' Comp Insurance Costs
So what does coverage actually cost?
Florida workers’ comp insurance costs vary based on:
- Industry risk level
- Payroll volume
- Location and claims history
- Your MOD score
Estimated pricing by risk category:
- Low-risk jobs (e.g., Doctors Office): $0.25–$1.00 per $100 of payroll
- Moderate-risk jobs (e.g., Home Health Care): $1.51–$3.00
- High-risk trades (e.g., Concrete Construction): $4.25 per $100 of payroll
Staying in compliance and keeping claims low helps control your long-term costs.
Florida Workers' Comp Claim Filing Process
The Florida workers’ comp claim filing process must be followed precisely:
- Employee reports injury to the employer within 30 days
- Employer notifies their insurance carrier within 7 days
- Employer selects the initial treating physician (must be authorized)
- Disputes are handled by the Office of Judges of Compensation Claims (OJCC)
If you miss key deadlines, benefits can be delayed or denied. For employers, that means extra legal exposure.
Final Tips for Business Owners
Whether you manage two employees or two hundred, here’s what Florida employers should do now:
- Verify your current policy is active and adequate
- Review exemption filings regularly
- Join a certified drug-free workplace discount Florida program
- Stay up to date with Florida workers’ comp 2025 changes
- Prepare for audits or inspections by documenting everything
Start Your Quote Now: Call (855) 718-7552 to speak with a licensed Florida workers’ comp expert today.
