Florida Workers Compensation
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Workers Comp Insurance
Last updated: · Rates verified against 2026 NCCI Florida filings effective 1/1/2026
How Much Does Workers' Comp Cost in Florida?
Workers' compensation covers your employees' medical bills and lost wages when they get hurt on the job. In exchange, it shields your business from lawsuits.
Florida law requires it for most businesses — and even if yours falls below the threshold, you could still be personally liable if a worker gets injured without a policy in place.
Augustyniak Insurance Group is an independent agency in Jacksonville. We do not work for one insurance company. We compare workers' comp from carriers like Hartford, Travelers, Nationwide, AmTrust, Auto-Owners, and others.
Whether you run a restaurant on San Marco, a plumbing company in Orange Park, or an HVAC shop working attics across the Southside in July — we find the right workers' compensation insurance in Jacksonville and across Florida for your business.
Want to skip ahead? Get your free workers' comp quote or call (904) 268-3106.
Is Workers' Comp Required for Your Florida Business?
| Business Type | When Required | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 1 or more employees | Even one employee triggers the requirement. Subcontractors count. |
| Non-Construction | 4 or more employees | Restaurants, offices, retail, salons, trades — all included. |
| Agricultural | 6+ regular or 12+ seasonal | Seasonal workers must work 30+ days in a calendar year. |
Our typical workers' comp clients include restaurants and food service, HVAC companies, plumbers, electricians, and trade contractors. We also write cleaning and janitorial services, landscapers, and service providers like hair salons and dog groomers.
Medical and dental offices, professional firms, retail stores, wholesale operations, and property management companies round out our book. If you have employees in Florida, we can likely help.
What If Your Business Is Not Required to Carry Workers' Comp?
This catches a lot of small business owners off guard. Even if your business falls below the employee threshold, you can still be held personally liable for a worker's injuries.
Here is why. Workers' comp is a no-fault system. Your employee gives up their right to sue you. In exchange, they get guaranteed medical care and wage replacement.
Without a policy, that deal does not exist. An injured worker can sue you directly — for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. There is no cap on what a lawsuit could cost you.
We have seen it happen in Jacksonville. A restaurant with three employees. A cook badly burns their hand on the flattop. No workers' comp policy. Now the owner is paying out of pocket — or losing the business.
A voluntary policy for a three-person restaurant might cost $80 a month. A burn injury lawsuit can cost $50,000 or more. The math is not close.
Even when it is not required, the protection is often worth far more than the premium. Call us at (904) 268-3106 and we will tell you exactly what a voluntary policy costs.
For construction-specific rules, exemptions, and subcontractor requirements, see our Florida Contractors Guide to Workers' Compensation.
What Does a Workers' Comp Claim Actually Cost?
Workers' comp is something you never think about — until someone gets hurt. Then it is the only thing on your mind. Here is what the data says, and it is probably more than you expect.
According to the National Safety Council and NCCI, the average cost of a lost-time workers' comp claim for 2022–2023 accidents was $47,316. That is not worst-case. That is the average.
Here is what these numbers look like in the industries we insure every day:
- A cook at a San Marco restaurant slips on a wet kitchen floor and fractures a wrist. ER, surgery, eight weeks out of work. Average slip-and-fall claim: $54,499.
- An HVAC technician in Mandarin strains their back pulling a condenser unit in a 140-degree attic. Strains and sprains account for 38% of all workers' comp claims. Physical therapy, lost wages, and follow-up care add up fast.
- A plumber's apprentice in Fleming Island gets rear-ended driving the work van to a job. Motor vehicle claims are the most expensive category at $91,433 average.
- An electrician on a Nocatee new-build takes a shock from a live panel. Burns and electrical injuries are among the most expensive workers' comp claims, averaging well over $50,000 each. Specialized treatment and long recovery drive the cost.
One serious injury can cost more than years of premiums combined. The math is not close.
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Need a Workers' Comp Quote?
Tell us about your business. We compare rates from multiple carriers and come back with clear options — not a sales pitch.
No obligation. Most quotes returned same day or next business day.How Is Your Florida Workers' Comp Premium Calculated?
Florida workers' comp rates are not set by individual insurance companies. They are filed by NCCI and approved by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. Every carrier starts from the same rate schedule.
The $160 expense constant is built into every Florida workers' comp policy regardless of size. After that, it is all about what your employees do and how much you pay them. The class code rate reflects the injury risk of the work.
Carriers can apply their own credits or debits on top of the manual rate, which is why comparing quotes matters — two carriers using the same base rate can produce different final premiums.
What Will Your Business Pay for Workers' Comp?
Four common Florida businesses · $50,000 annual payroll · includes $160 expense constant
RETAIL STORE
Code 8017
$750/yr
$1.18 per $100 payroll
RESTAURANT
Code 9082
$740/yr
$1.16 per $100 payroll
HVAC
Code 5537
$1,660/yr
$3.00 per $100 payroll
FRAMING
Code 5645
$4,005/yr
$7.69 per $100 payroll
2026 NCCI Florida manual rates effective 1/1/2026. Includes $160 expense constant. Actual premium varies by carrier credits/debits, experience mod, and endorsements.
Augustyniak Insurance Group · WeShopInsurance.com · (904) 268-3106
How Much Does Workers' Comp Cost for Your Industry?
This table uses 2026 NCCI Florida manual rates. All figures include the $160 expense constant and assume a 1.0 experience mod. Endorsement costs like waiver of subrogation are not included.
| Business Type | Class Code | Rate / $100 | $50K Payroll Annual Policy Cost | $150K Payroll Annual Policy Cost | $500K Payroll Annual Policy Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barber / Salon | 9586 | $0.43 | $375 | $805 | $2,310 |
| Property Mgmt (Mgr) | 9012 | $0.61 | $465 | $1,075 | $3,210 |
| Retail Store | 8017 | $1.18 | $750 | $1,930 | $6,060 |
| Restaurant | 9082 | $1.16 | $740 | $1,900 | $5,960 |
| Auto Service / Repair | 8380 | $1.67 | $995 | $2,665 | $8,510 |
| Janitorial / Cleaning | 9014 | $2.45 | $1,385 | $3,835 | $12,410 |
| Plumbing | 5183 | $2.74 | $1,530 | $4,270 | $13,860 |
| Electrical Wiring | 5190 | $2.97 | $1,645 | $4,615 | $15,010 |
| HVAC | 5537 | $3.00 | $1,660 | $4,660 | $15,160 |
| Landscaping | 0042 | $4.14 | $2,230 | $6,370 | $20,860 |
| Painting | 5474 | $4.48 | $2,400 | $6,880 | $22,560 |
| Carpentry / Framing | 5645 | $7.69 | $4,005 | $11,695 | $38,610 |
Source: 2026 NCCI Florida manual rates effective 1/1/2026. Totals include the $160 expense constant charged on every Florida workers' comp policy. Does not include experience mod adjustments, carrier credits/debits, or endorsement costs. Your actual premium may be higher or lower. Get a quote for your specific business.
What If Your Employees Do Different Types of Work?
Most businesses have employees in more than one role — and each role carries a different rate. Your policy prices each group separately based on its payroll, not one flat rate for everyone.
A restaurant is a good example. Your servers and cooks are rated at $1.16 per $100. But if you also have delivery drivers, they fall under a higher-rated code. A plumbing company has technicians in the field at $2.74 and an office manager at a fraction of that. If your payroll records clearly separate who does what, you pay the right rate for each role.
Not Sure About Your Class Codes?
Send us your current policy or tell us what your employees do. We will verify your classifications and show you if you are overpaying.
We compare carriers, payment options, and endorsements side by side.What Drives Your Workers' Comp Premium Up or Down?
Your premium is not random. There are six things that move the needle — and you have more control over most of them than you think.
- Your class codes. This is the biggest lever. A plumber (Code 5183 at $2.74) pays more than twice what a retail store (Code 8017 at $1.18) pays per $100 of payroll. Getting your employees into the right codes is the fastest way to stop overpaying.
- Your payroll. More people and higher wages mean higher premium. One thing that helps: overtime premium pay is typically excluded from the calculation. If your crew works a lot of OT, that exclusion saves real money.
- Your claims history. After enough premium history, NCCI assigns an experience mod. Clean record? Your mod drops below 1.0 and you get a discount. Multiple claims? It climbs above 1.0 and you pay a surcharge. Here is the thing most people miss: frequency matters more than severity. Three small claims hurt your mod more than one larger claim.
- Your carrier. Two companies using the same NCCI base rate can produce different final premiums because of their own credits and debits. This is the main reason to compare quotes — and the main reason an independent agent adds value.
- Your endorsements. Waiver of subrogation, additional insured, blanket certificates — general contractors often require these. Some carriers include them free. Others charge hundreds. Ask before you bind.
- Your subcontractors. If your subs do not carry their own coverage, their payroll lands on your policy at audit. We have seen one missing certificate create a $3,000+ surprise bill. Always verify sub coverage before work starts.
Can You Pay Workers' Comp Monthly?
Pay-As-You-Go (Self-Reporting)
Your premium is calculated each pay cycle based on actual payroll. If you use QuickBooks, Gusto, or ADP, the premium pulls automatically when you run payroll. No large down payment. No guessing.
Because the carrier gets accurate data all year, your end-of-year audit is usually small or zero. This is a strong fit for businesses with seasonal swings, fluctuating headcount, or tight margins.
Traditional Billing
Down payment at inception (typically 25%–33%), with monthly or quarterly installments. At year-end, the carrier audits actual payroll and settles up. Works for stable payroll, but can surprise you if headcount changes.
Should You Use a PEO for Workers' Comp?
A PEO sounds convenient until you need to file a claim for someone who was not on the roster. Here are the trade-offs most PEO sales reps do not mention:
- Subcontractors are not covered. PEO coverage only applies to employees on the PEO's payroll at time of injury. Subs, casual labor, and day workers can sue you directly.
- Your experience mod may not transfer. Leaving a PEO can mean losing years of claims history, making it harder to get competitive quotes.
- New hire gaps. There is often a lag before new employees hit the PEO roster. Injuries during the gap? The PEO may deny the claim.
- Hidden costs. Per-employee fees on top of premium, benefits, and payroll can exceed the cost of a direct policy plus standalone payroll service.
A direct policy through an independent agent gives you broader coverage, more transparency, and protection that extends to subcontractors. For most Florida businesses, it is the better approach.
Workers' Comp Carriers We Work With
How Do You Get a Workers' Comp Quote in Jacksonville?
No phone trees. No generic online quotes that ignore your class codes. You talk to a real person who writes Florida workers' comp every day.
We Review
Tell us what your employees do, your headcount, and estimated payroll. Have a current policy? Send it over — we check your codes and pricing.
We Compare
We shop across multiple carriers, comparing rates, payment options, endorsements, and dividend eligibility side by side.
You Choose
We present your best options with a clear recommendation. You pick the carrier and payment plan that fits. No pressure.
Ready to Compare Workers' Comp Rates?
One call. Multiple carriers. Real advice from a Jacksonville team that writes Florida workers' comp every day.
Average quote turnaround: same day or next business day.Florida Workers' Compensation Insurance FAQ
How much does workers' comp cost in Florida in 2026?
Every policy includes a $160 expense constant. After that, it depends on payroll and class code. A restaurant (Code 9082) pays $1.16 per $100 of payroll. An HVAC company (Code 5537) pays $3.00. A residential framer (Code 5645) pays $7.69. These are 2026 NCCI Florida manual rates. Multiply your payroll by the rate, add $160 and any endorsements, and that is your estimated annual cost. Get a free quote for your specific numbers.
What if my business is not required to carry workers' comp?
You can still be held personally liable for an employee's injuries. Without workers' comp, there is no no-fault protection. An injured worker can sue you directly for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering with no cap. Even when not legally required, a voluntary policy is often the smartest investment a small business can make.
Are driving accidents covered by workers' comp?
Yes — and this surprises most business owners. If an employee is in a car accident while driving for work (heading to a job site, making a delivery, picking up supplies), that is a workers' comp claim, not a personal auto claim. Motor vehicle accidents are the most expensive category of workers' comp injury, averaging $91,433 per claim. If your employees drive for work, make sure your coverage reflects that exposure.
What is a workers' comp audit?
At year-end, the carrier compares your estimated payroll to actual payroll and settles the difference. Higher payroll means you owe more. Lower means a refund. Accurate records make audits painless. See our audit checklist.
How does pay-as-you-go workers' comp work?
Premium is calculated and collected each time you run payroll based on actual wages. No large down payment. The year-end audit is usually minimal because the carrier already has accurate data. Not all carriers offer it — ask us which options work with your payroll system.
What if my employees do different types of work?
Most businesses have employees in more than one role, and each role carries a different rate. A plumber has field technicians at $2.74 per $100 and office staff at a much lower rate. A restaurant has servers at $1.16 and delivery drivers at a higher rate. Your policy prices each group separately. Keeping accurate payroll records by job function ensures you pay the right rate for each role.
Can I get a dividend on my workers' comp policy?
Some Florida carriers return 5% to 15% of premium to businesses with clean loss records. Qualification requires at least $5,000 in final audited premium, no lapse, no incurred losses, and no more than 15% of payroll to uninsured subs. Dividends are not guaranteed but reward safe workplaces.
What if my employees work outside Florida?
You need coverage in every state where they work. Some carriers offer multi-state or All States endorsements. Others only write Florida. This is common near the Georgia and Alabama borders. Talk to your agent before binding so your policy covers every state where your people are working.
Susan Augustyniak, CIC
Vice President, Augustyniak Insurance Group
Certified Insurance Counselor with 25+ years in the industry. Susan has led the Augustyniak Insurance team in Jacksonville since 2005, helping thousands of Florida businesses find the right workers' compensation coverage. This page was reviewed and updated in April 2026 using 2026 NCCI Florida rates effective 1/1/2026.
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Workers' Comp Resources from the Blog
2026 Florida Workers' Comp Rates by Class Code
Use this table to estimate your cost. Find your class code, multiply the rate by your payroll (per $100), and add the $160 expense constant. Not sure which code applies? Call us at (904) 268-3106 — that is exactly what we help with.
| Code | Description | Rate / $100 |
|---|---|---|
| 9586 | Barber, Beauty Parlor, Hair Salon | $0.43 |
| 9012 | Property Management — Managers | $0.61 |
| 8015 | Quick Printing / Copy Shop | $0.68 |
| 8008 | Clothing / Apparel Store | $1.05 |
| 9082 | Restaurant NOC | $1.16 |
| 8017 | Retail Store NOC | $1.18 |
| 9083 | Restaurant — Fast Food | $1.20 |
| 8006 | Gas Station with Grocery | $1.54 |
| 9052 | Hotel — All Employees | $1.56 |
| 8380 | Auto Service or Repair Center | $1.67 |
| 7605 | Burglar / Fire Alarm Installation | $2.12 |
| 5478 | Floor Covering Installation | $2.12 |
| 9014 | Janitorial / Cleaning Services | $2.45 |
| 9102 | Lawn Maintenance | $2.53 |
| 5183 | Plumbing NOC | $2.74 |
| 5190 | Electrical Wiring — Within Buildings | $2.97 |
| 5537 | HVAC Installation, Service & Repair | $3.00 |
| 6217 | Excavation | $3.27 |
| 5221 | Concrete — Floors, Driveways, Yards | $3.87 |
| 0042 | Landscape Gardening | $4.14 |
| 5403 | Carpentry NOC | $4.36 |
| 5474 | Painting NOC | $4.48 |
| 5437 | Carpentry — Cabinet / Interior Trim | $4.57 |
| 5102 | Door & Window Installation | $4.78 |
| 5022 | Masonry NOC | $5.22 |
| 5645 | Carpentry — Residential (1-2 Family) | $7.69 |
Source: 2026 NCCI Florida manual rates effective 1/1/2026. Rates shown are per $100 of payroll before carrier credits/debits. Add $160 expense constant to all policies. Get a quote for your specific class code.
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