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Workers' Compensation for Florida Businesses
What are the requirements for workers’ comp insurance in Florida?
Business owners conducting work in the state of Florida are required to provide workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. Specific employer coverage requirements are based on the number of employees, type of industry and entity organization. To determine if Cerity can cover your Florida business, try our free quote tool.
Workers’ compensation insurance coverage in Florida is purchased by the employer/business that provides benefits for job-related employee injuries. Florida law requires all business owners to purchase workers’ comp insurance coverage (with a few exceptions).
Under a workers’ comp policy, employees are compensated for injuries that occur in the workplace, regardless of fault. This insurance coverage helps keep business owners immune from some injury lawsuits by employees. In Florida, the Division of Workers’ Compensation within the Department of Financial Services is the primary regulator for ensuring workers receive the proper workers’ compensation benefits, which includes benefits for medical expenses, disability, or death. The Office of Insurance Regulation primarily regulates the rates, forms and solvency for workers’ comp insurance coverage. The amount of workers’ compensation coverage is established by law.
What are the repercussions for not having workers’ compensation in Florida?
Florida employers that operate without the required workers’ comp insurance coverage risk civil penalties. Usually, this means that the business would be subject to a stop-work order that requires all operations to stop until the business complies with law and pays a penalty. In this case, the fee is typically equal to twice the amount the employer would have paid in premium for the preceding two-year period!
If the Florida employer does not comply with a stop-work order, the action could result in criminal charges. You could also be subject to a stop-work order if payroll is understated or concealed, employees’ duties are misrepresented/concealed, or there is any attempt to avoid paying workers’ compensation insurance premiums.
What types of injuries are covered with workers’ comp insurance in Florida?
Florida state law determines what types of injuries are covered with workers’ compensation insurance, but there are general guidelines that can help you understand what typically qualifies for a workers’ comp claim.
These include:
- No intentional self-harm, harm that results from drug or alcohol use, or fighting.
- Must fall within the “course and scope” of employment. If you get into a fender bender on your way home from work after you’ve clocked out for the day, that’s unlikely to qualify.
- Long-term occupational injuries, including back strain from repetitive motion. When you think of work-related injuries, you probably think of one-time events — but damage can occur over a long period of time. As long as the injury or illness is clearly associated with the employee’s work responsibilities, it may be eligible.
Florida Statistics*
*2017 business stats provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
3.3 million+
number of Arizonans employed by small businesses
92,400
number of workplace injuries
1.3 million
estimated number of alligators
2 million
pounds of shrimp harvested annually at Amelia Island
1,000
number of sunken shipwrecks near the Florida Keys
Florida Businesses We Cover with Workers' Comp Insurance

Food & Beverage
Bars, Bistros, Cafeterias/Buffets, Candy Stores, Caterers, Coffee Shops, Doughnut Shops, Fast Casual, Fast Food, Fine Dining, Health Supplement Stores, Juice Shops, Tea Houses, Taverns and Nightclubs
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Tech Services
Data Processing, Ecommerce, Hosting, Graphic Design, Network Installation/Repair, Office Machine Installation/Repair, Programming, Strategy & Management Consulting Services, and Software/Web Development (includes SOLOpreneuers!)
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Legal Services
Athlete/Actor/Entertainer Agents, Court Reporters, Lawyers & Attorneys at Law, Notaries and Transcription
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General Retail
Bakeries, Beer/Wine/Liquor Stores, Butcher/Meat Markets, Convenience Stores/Gas Stations, Discount Stores, Fish, Seafood, Fruit & Vegetable Markets, Grocery Stores, Laundromats, Pet Stores, Pharmacies/Drug Stores, Specialty Food Stores
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Educational Services
Computer Training, Cosmetology/Barber Schools, Exam Preparation/Tutoring, Fine Art Schools, Language Schools, Libraries/Archives, Management Training, Professional Training, & Translation/Interpretation Services
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Manufacturing
Microbreweries (less than 15,000 barrels produced per year) & Wine Making (no growing or production of grapes/fruit)
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Personal Services
Barber Shops/Salons, Cemeteries/Mausoleums, Crematoriums, Funeral Homes, Interior Design, Pet Kennels/Groomers, Photography/Photofinishing, Gyms, Nail Salons, Self-Storage, Tanning Salons, Tattoo/Piercing, and Wedding/Event Planners
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Clothing Retail
Bridal Stores, Clothing Stores, Dry Cleaners, Formal Wear/Costume Rentals, Luggage & Leather Goods Stores, Shoe Retail/Repair, and Tailor Shops
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Personal Product Retail
Art Galleries/Stores, Auto Parts, Beauty/Cosmetics, Bike Stores, Bookstores, Camera/Photo Supplies, Cell Phone Retail/Repair, Computer Stores, Jewelry Stores, Musical Instruments, Sporting Goods , Tobacco/Vaping & Video Games
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Medical Professions
Blood Banks, Dental Labs, Dentists/Orthodontists, GP/Medical Specialists, Kidney Dialysis Centers, Medical Diagnostics & Testing, and Veterinarians
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Architecture & Engineering Services
Architects & Drafting, Engineering, Surveyors, & Window Treatment Stores (we do not cover construction contractors or trucking companies)
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Financial Services
Accounting, Auditors, Banks/Credit Unions, Bookkeeping, Collection Agencies, Financial Advisors/Trust Companies, Mortgage & Loan Brokers, Payroll Services, Tax Preparation, Title & Title Insurance
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Scientific Services
Scientific Research & Development/Consulting, Technical Consulting, & Environmental Consulting
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Office, Home, & Garden
Hearing Aid Stores, Hobby/Craft/Art Stores, Gift/Novelty Stores, Florists, Floor Covering Stores, Mailing/Packaging Stores, Models/Toy/Games, Office Supplies, Optical Stores, Paint/Wallpaper Stores, Perfume Stores, Plumbing & Taxidermists
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Therapeutic Services
Acupuncture, Chiropractors, Mental Health Practitioners, and Physical & Occupational Therapy
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