Are Hazardous Industries Required to Have Workers’ Comp in Florida?

Hazardous industries are required to have workers’ compensation in Florida. In fact, all businesses that work in the construction industry and construction-related fields are required to have workers’ compensation policies due to the high level of risk associated with this type of work. Sometimes finding workers’ compensation policies for construction companies due to the steep prices of policies. However, it doesn’t have to be with Florida workers’ compensation insurance brokers NPN Brokers. Keep reading to learn more about how your business that does work in a hazardous industry can get workers’ compensation insurance.

Workers’ Compensation Requirements for Construction Companies + Other Hazardous Industries

According to Florida’s Administrative Code, companies that work in construction or a construction-related field must have workers’ compensation insurance for employees if they employ at least one person. Take note that the construction-related field is broad and includes landscaping and tree removal, plumbing, electrical work, roofing and siding, and much more. If your business employs even one person that does work that is considered to be construction-related, your entire company will be required to have workers’ compensation policies for all employees.

Construction companies and companies that work in a construction-related field are held to much more stringent workers’ compensation requirements than companies that do other types of work. Agricultural companies have to get workers’ compensation insurance if they employ six or more people full-time or twelve or more people seasonally while companies that do neither agricultural nor construction-related work must get workers’ compensation insurance if they employ four or more people.

Construction companies and companies that do work in a construction-related field face stricter workers’ compensation requirement because the work they do is more susceptible to injuries—since employees are more likely to be injured, they are more likely to file workers’ compensation claims. The level of risk for construction and construction-related work is reflected in the price of policies. Policies are priced based on the level of risk that is associated with a job, as well as the number of claims that a company has filed in the past.

Finding Workers’ Compensation Policies for Hazardous Industries

Since working in construction or a construction-related field is so risky, it can be difficult for companies to find an insurance company that will provide them with coverage. While Florida requires companies to have workers’ compensation coverage, it does not require insurance companies to provide coverage to companies if they suspect that they have a high risk for liabilities. Using an insurance broker such as NPN Brokers can make it easier for companies to get insurance policies for their companies that do hazardous work.

Construction companies and companies that do construction-related work should also note that there are severe penalties for not having workers’ compensation insurance. Companies that fail to get workers’ compensation insurance may be issued a stop-work order from the State of Florida. They may also be faced with fines. Companies that don’t have workers’ compensation policies for employees also make themselves susceptible to lawsuits from injured employees, which will include compensation for pain and suffering, medical costs, lost wages.

Workers’ compensation policies cover the cost associated with injuries when employees or contractors are injured on the job. Medical costs—including stays in the hospital, visits with physicians, ambulance rides, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and medication—are included in workers’ compensation policies, as well as a partial recovery of lost wages. Workers’ compensation policies do not provide compensation for pain and suffering as a result of an injury in the workplace.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance for General Contractors

Construction companies and companies that do construction-related work often use general contractors (as well as subcontractors) to get the job done. It’s important to note that general contractors and subcontractors are required to have workers’ compensation insurance if they have even one employee. (Independent contractors, however, are not required to have workers’ compensation insurance.)

It’s advisable for subcontractors to carry proper documentation that proves that they hold a policy for themselves. There are three ways that subcontractors can prove that they have a workers’ compensation policies for themselves: a copy of the information page included in their policy, a screenshot of the Department of Workers’ Compensation’s Proof of Coverage database that shows that they have a policy on file, and a Certificate of Liability Insurance, which is issued by the insurance carrier, confirming that the subcontractor has the appropriate coverage.

Some contractors may claim that employees or contractors are actually independent contractors in an attempt to avoid paying for insurance policies for them. Misrepresenting employees’ responsibilities is a type of insurance fraud and is punishable by prison and large fines.

Get a Quote for a Workers’ Compensation Policy

It’s easy to get a quote on a workers’ compensation policy for your company that does work in a hazardous industry with the help of Florida workers’ compensation insurance brokers NPN Brokers. If you would like a fast quote for a policy for your company, you can visit NPN Brokers’ website and enter some basic information about your company and the type of work you do. You can get a quote almost instantly, and bind it in less than 48 hours.

Allow NPN To Help You Get the Coverage Your Company Needs

Don’t waste time searching for a workers’ compensation policy for your company that does work in the construction industry or a construction-related field. Get in touch with NPN Brokers soon to learn more about how we can make it easy for you to get a fast quote on an affordable workers’ compensation policy. To learn more about what NPN Brokers can do for your business, call (561) 990-3022 or visit us online.