Workers' Compensation Insurance — Florida

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Key Takeaways

Most Florida businesses with four or more employees need workers' comp coverage.
Workers’ comp helps pay for medical care and replace part of an employee’s income if they get hurt or sick from their job duties.
Sole proprietors, partners and certain officers may be able to opt out by applying for an exemption.
The average cost of Florida workers’ comp insurance is about $989 per year, or $82 per month, with The Hartford.**
If you don’t carry required coverage, your business could face fines or even be forced to stop work until you have coverage in place.

Who Might Need Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Florida?

Florida workers’ compensation law says that most businesses with four or more employees need workers’ comp coverage. However, your industry, size and type of employees can affect the specific coverage you need.¹

Industries that might need a workers’ comp policy include:

Construction: Companies with at least one employee. Corporate officers and limited liability company (LLC) members count as employees unless they have a valid exemption.***
Non-construction: Businesses with four or more workers, including owners who are corporate officers or LLC members.***
Agriculture: Farms with six or more regular employees, or 12 seasonal employees who work more than 30 days in a season or more than 45 days in a calendar year.***
Out-of-state employers: Companies with workers in Florida must have a workers’ comp policy from an approved insurance carrier.***
Contractors: They must confirm coverage is in place before a project starts. If a subcontractor doesn’t have coverage, their workers can legally become the contractor’s employees for workers’ comp purposes.***

Florida employers should review requirements through the state’s Division of Workers’ Compensation to stay compliant.

What Does Florida Workers’ Comp Insurance Cover?

Workers’ compensation insurance helps protect your employees if they get hurt or become ill because of their job duties. It can also help protect your business from the costs of a work injury.

A Florida workers’ comp policy can help pay for:

Medical care: Doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation and ongoing treatment for work-related conditions like repetitive strain injuries or carpal tunnel.
Lost wages: Partial income replacement while an employee recovers and can’t work.
Disability benefits: Ongoing support for employees with short- or long-term disabilities from a work injury.
Death benefits: Funeral costs and financial support for the family of an employee who dies from a job-related injury.
Legal costs: It can help cover expenses if an injured employee files a lawsuit related to their injury.

Workers’ comp can also include employer’s liability insurance, which helps cover legal costs if an employee sues your business over a work-related injury.

Workers’ Comp Benefits for Florida Employees

If an employee gets hurt or sick because of their job, Florida workers’ compensation insurance helps cover medical care and part of their lost income while they recover. The type and amount of benefits depend on how serious the injury is and how long it affects the employee’s ability to work.

Florida workers’ comp benefits may include:

Income Benefits for Florida Employees

Workers' comp insurance in Florida pays income benefits based on injury severity:²

Temporary total disability (TTD): If an employee can’t work at all while recovering, they can receive about two-thirds of their average weekly wages, typically for up to 104 weeks.
Temporary partial disability (TPD): If an employee can return to work in a limited role at lower pay, workers’ comp can help make up part of the difference.
Permanent impairment: If an employee has a lasting injury but can still work in some capacity, they may receive ongoing payments based on their impairment rating.
Permanent total disability (PTD): If an employee can’t return to any type of work, they may receive ongoing benefits.

Death Benefits

If a work injury causes an employee's death, workers’ comp insurance for Florida residents pays up to $150,000 in death benefits to qualifying dependents, with up to $7,500 toward funeral expenses.³

Employees in Florida should report a work injury to their employer within 30 days and file a claim within two years to help avoid delays or denial of benefits.

To learn more about coverage for employees, get a workers’ compensation quote today.

Exemptions for Workers’ Comp Insurance in Florida

Some Florida business owners can qualify for a workers’ compensation insurance exemption.⁴An exemption means the person listed isn’t covered by the policy and isn’t counted as an employee for coverage requirements. Exemptions are filed through the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation and must be renewed regularly.⁵

Sole proprietors and partnerships can opt out by filing for a certificate of election to be exempt, though they can still buy a policy through the Division of Workers’ Compensation.

Corporations and LLCs must register with the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations before applying for an exemption. Other rules depend on the industry.

Businesses that may qualify for a Florida workers’ comp exemption include:

Construction industry: Up to three corporate officers or LLC members can apply for an exemption if they each own at least 10% of the business. A $50 application fee is required.⁶
Non-construction industries: Corporate officers and LLC members may apply for an exemption, and there’s no limit to how many officers can be exempt.⁷
Sole proprietors and partners: These are generally considered exempt in non-construction industries, but they’re automatically included as employees in the construction industry unless they file for an exemption.⁸
Independent contractors: They may be exempt in non-construction industries if they meet the state’s criteria, but in construction, they’re typically treated as employees.⁹

Not sure if your business qualifies for an exemption? Florida’s Division of Workers’ Compensation has more details on these exemptions.

Workers’ Compensation Florida Insurance Laws

The Division of Workers’ Compensation in Florida helps ensure businesses have the resources for workers’ comp programs. They help injured workers, employers, healthcare providers and insurers follow Florida laws. They can help you find out:

If you need Florida workers’ compensation coverage
When injured or sick employees can receive benefits
How much to pay workers’ comp attorneys

FL Workers’ Comp Insurance Penalties

Florida employers that don’t have workers’ compensation insurance face civil penalties, including a stop-work order that halts all operations until the business complies and pays a fine. The penalty typically equals twice the premium the employer would have paid over the previous one- or two-year period.

A stop-work order can also be issued if a business understates payroll, misrepresents employee duties or tries to avoid paying premiums. Ignoring a stop-work order can lead to criminal charges.

Review the workers' comp requirements for your business to avoid penalties.

How Much Is Workers’ Comp Insurance Per Month in Florida?

Workers’ compensation insurance in Florida costs about $989 a year, or roughly $82 a month, on average with The Hartford.** Keep in mind that your actual price will vary and will often depend on several different factors. So what you pay could be higher or lower.

The cost of workers’ compensation is calculated per $100 of payroll with this formula:

Workers’ Classification Code Rate X Experience Modification Number X (Payroll/$100) = Premium****

Your state determines your classification code depending on the type of work your employees do. Your state will also decide your experience modification number by comparing your company to others in your industry.

To learn more about workers’ comp insurance in Florida, get a workers’ compensation quote from The Hartford today.

What’s the Statute of Limitations for Florida Workers’ Compensation Claims?

In Florida, injured or sick employees generally must file a Petition of Benefits (PFB) within two years of the date of the injury, or when they knew or should have known the injury or illness was work-related. After that window closes, the claim is typically barred under state law.¹⁰

Employees should report any on-the-job injury to their employer within 30 days. From there, employers have seven days to submit documentation to their insurance carrier. Filing quickly helps avoid disputes and keeps the claim moving.¹¹

If you need to file a claim in your state, visit our workers' comp claims page.

Why Trust The Hartford for Workers’ Compensation in Florida?

For more than 200 years, The Hartford has helped small businesses protect what they’ve built. Our Florida workers’ compensation insurance is designed to help you support employees after a workplace injury or illness — while making claims easier to manage.

Here’s what Florida small business owners get with The Hartford:

Care and Support for Injured Employees

Employees have access to a nationwide network of over 1 million experienced providers, plus nurse case managers who help coordinate care and support recovery.

Convenient Prescription Coverage

Employees can fill prescriptions at thousands of pharmacies nationwide, often with little or no out-of-pocket costs.

Tools To Help You Manage Claims

Our digital platform, My Workers’ Comp Connection, helps keep you and your employees informed throughout the claims process.

Billing and Payment Flexibility

With payroll billing, your premium is based on your actual payroll, not an estimate, which can help make payments more accurate.

Whether you’re hiring your first employee or growing your team, our specialists can help you stay compliant with Florida workers’ comp laws while supporting your people when they need it most.

What Florida Small Business Owners Say About The Hartford:

“The entire process start to finish was handled with care and attention to detail.”

Shiva from Miami, Florida

“The structure and functionality of the claims submission process via the website are practical and concise.”

Andrha from Miami, Florida

small business employee protected by workers comp insurance florida

Get a Quote for Florida Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Ready to see how much workers’ comp could cost for your Florida business? Start your free quote with The Hartford today, and get a price built around your business.

Get My Price

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Does Florida Provide Workers’ Comp Insurance?

No. Florida does not provide workers’ compensation insurance directly. Businesses must buy coverage from a licensed private insurance carrier, like The Hartford, or qualify as a self-insured employer through the state.

How Much Is Workers’ Comp Insurance in FL?

Workers’ compensation insurance in Florida costs about $989 a year, or roughly $82 a month, on average with The Hartford.** Your actual price may vary and typically depends on several factors like your payroll, the type of work your employees do and your claims history.

How Do I Get Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Florida?

Florida businesses can get workers’ comp coverage by buying a policy from a licensed private insurance carrier, like The Hartford. You can get a personalized quote online in just a few minutes, or call us at 855-923-2168 to speak with one of our specialists.

flower shop owner uses his laptop to calculate workers' compensation cost in Florida

How Is Workers' Comp Calculated?

How To Get Workers’ Comp Insurance

Workers’ Compensation FAQs

** Costs, premiums, and coverages mentioned are estimates and are not guaranteed. Actual cost, premium, and coverage are determined at the time of quote or issue and are specific to an individual risk. Premiums are based on information provided to The Hartford, including, but not limited to, underwriting and rating criteria. All examples included on this website or in an advertisement are intended for informational purposes only and are not an offer or a guarantee of premium or coverage. Coverage and products described are subject to the terms and conditions found in the policy contract. Any educational information provided about available coverages does not modify the policy language or imply that any claim is covered. Products are not available in all states or for all businesses.

*** Workers’ compensation requirements are based on Florida law as of 2026 and may change. Requirements vary by business type, industry and employee count.

**** The simplified workers’ compensation premium calculation is for reference purposes only. Actual premium calculations can be more complex. Experience mods are subject to state requirements and do not apply to every policy.

^1,2,5Florida Legislation, “The 2025 Florida Statuses,” viewed June 2026.

³ Florida Department of Financial Services, “Benefits Available to Injured Workers,” viewed June 2026.

^4,6,7 Florida Department of Financial Services, “Workers’ Compensation System Guide,” viewed June 2026.

⁸ Florida Department of Financial Services, “Coverage Requirements,” viewed June 2026.

⁹ Florida Department of Financial Services, “Employer Frequently Asked Questions,” viewed June 2026.

¹⁰ Florida Senate, “Section 440.19 — Time Bars to Filing Petitions for Benefits,” viewed June 2026.

¹¹ Florida Senate, “440.185 Notice of Injury or Death; Reports; Penalties for Violations,” viewed June 2026.

Additional disclosures below.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance — Florida