Does Workers’ Comp Insurance Cover Seasonal or Temp Workers in Florida?

As an employer in Florida, it’s important to know which employees need to be covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance. For example, does Workers’ Compensation cover seasonal and temp workers in Florida?

If you employ 12 or more seasonal workers in the agricultural industry, you’ll need Workers’ Compensation insurance in Florida. When it comes to temp workers, things get a bit more complicated, as it may be the staffing agency’s responsibility to get Workers’ Compensation for those employees. Workers’ Compensation benefits are paid out in the same way to seasonal and temp workers as they are to regular employees. To lower the costs of Workers’ Compensation insurance for companies with seasonal or temp workers, reach out to our brokers to learn about pay-as-you-go coverage.

Our team of skilled brokers is here to help your company stay protected from workplace accidents with Workers’ Compensation insurance. To learn more about the Florida Workers’ Compensation insurance brokers at NPN Brokers, call today at (561) 990-3022.

Do You Need Workers’ Comp Insurance for Seasonal or Temp Workers in Florida?

You might need Workers’ Compensation insurance if you employ seasonal or temporary workers, also known as temp workers, in Florida. Whether or not you need insurance for these employees will most likely depend on your industry.

Seasonal Workers

How seasonal workers play into Florida’s Workers’ Compensation insurance system is based on industry. Typically, seasonal workers refer to employees in the agricultural industry that only work for a certain period of the year. In Florida, employers must have Workers’ Compensation insurance if they employ 12 or more seasonal workers. According to Fla. Stat. § 440.02(17)(c)(a), seasonal workers are people who work in the agricultural industry for between 30 and 45 total days out of the year. Suppose you employ seasonal workers throughout the year. In that case, you may need a Workers’ Compensation insurance policy that covers all of them. To learn more about your insurance liability as an employer of seasonal workers in the agricultural industry, speak with our Florida Workers’ Compensation insurance brokers.

Temp Workers

Figuring your Workers’ Compensation insurance requirements for temp workers can be difficult. In Florida, temp workers have joint employers, which are the staffing agency that places them at a company, and the company that they work at for an agreed-upon period of time. Since temp workers have joint employers, which employer must get Workers’ Compensation insurance for temp workers in Florida? Typically, that responsibility falls on the staffing agency. So, suppose you own a staffing agency that places temp workers at companies in Florida. In that case, you will likely need to get Workers’ Compensation if you employ four or more temp workers.

That said, as the owner of a company that accepts temp workers, it is important to ensure that their staffing agency has the necessary Workers’ Compensation insurance. Otherwise, things can get complicated if a temp worker is injured while working for your company in Florida.

How Do Workers’ Compensation Benefits Work for Seasonal and Temp Workers in Florida?

Just because seasonal and temp workers aren’t always full-time employees doesn’t mean they don’t get Workers’ Compensation benefits when injured at work. It’s important to understand this as an employer in Florida so that you can better comprehend how much such injuries might cost you.

The process to get Workers’ Compensation benefits is the same for seasonal, temp, and regular employees in Florida. For example, when a seasonal worker is injured on the job, they can file a claim with their employer’s Workers’ Compensation insurance carrier. If their claim is approved, the seasonal worker may receive benefits of a portion their average weekly wage and compensation for their medical bills for however long they cannot return to their previous jobs. Because seasonal workers only work for a short period of the year, Workers’ Compensation benefits may be lower.

While the process is generally the same for temp workers, it may be a bit more confusing for companies that hire temp workers. Although it is typically a staffing agency’s responsibility to get Workers’ Compensation insurance for temp workers, it’s important to check and make sure that’s the case in your situation. Otherwise, you might need to include a temp worker on your Workers’ Compensation payroll numbers and cover their workplace injuries, even if they were only meant to work for you temporarily.

How to Lower Workers’ Comp Insurance Costs for Seasonal and Temp Workers in Florida

When you employ seasonal or temp workers in Florida, it is important to consider the cost. Our Florida Small Business Workers’ Compensation insurance brokers can help you find flexible coverage that doesn’t break the bank and fluctuates based on your current payroll numbers.

Paying for Workers’ Compensation insurance for all seasonal or temp workers might seem unfair to employers in Florida. If an employee only works for you for a short period of time, why should they be included in your annual payroll numbers? All that does is increase your Workers’ Compensation insurance premiums for the entire year. To get around that cost issue, contact our brokers.

Our Florida Workers’ Compensation insurance brokers can pair your business with pay-as-you-go insurance. This type of coverage bases premiums on current payroll numbers, not annual estimates. This is largely beneficial to companies with seasonal workers or temp workers who need Workers’ Compensation insurance for those employees, but only for a short time during a year. With pay-as-you-go Workers’ Compensation insurance, you can reduce annual premiums while protecting the necessary employees in Florida.

Call Our Florida Brokers for Workers’ Comp Insurance Today

If you need Workers’ Compensation insurance for your employees in Florida, our brokers can help. To learn more about the Florida Workers’ Compensation insurance brokers at NPN Brokers, call today at (561) 990-3022.