Florida's construction boom — driven by population growth, hurricane rebuilding, and massive infrastructure investment — means more contractors are working more projects than ever. But Florida's construction industry also has some of the most complex and strictly enforced insurance requirements in the country, from the single-employee workers comp trigger for construction to certificate-of-insurance requirements at every project tier. This guide covers the full insurance picture for Florida contractors in 2026.
Every Florida contractor — from solo handyman to general contractor — should maintain a minimum insurance stack: (1) General liability: $1M–$2M per occurrence — covers third-party bodily injury and property damage at job sites; (2) Workers compensation: Required from the first employee in construction — covers employee injuries; (3) Commercial auto: For company vehicles used on job sites; (4) Tools and equipment: Covers contractor tools stolen from job sites or damaged; (5) Professional liability: For design-build contractors who provide design services alongside construction. Many Florida project owners and general contractors require certificates of insurance showing all of the above before allowing work to begin.
A certificate of insurance (COI) is a summary document showing your active coverage and limits. Florida general contractors require updated COIs from every subcontractor before they're allowed on a project. COIs should name the general contractor as an 'additional insured' — this protects the GC if a sub's work causes a claim. COIs must be current — an expired certificate doesn't provide coverage. Maintain a system to track COI expiration dates for all your subcontractors; an injured sub without current coverage on your project can become your workers comp claim.
General liability for contractors includes completed operations coverage — covering claims that arise after the project is finished. If a Florida contractor installs a deck that collapses two years later injuring a homeowner, completed operations GL responds. Standard GL policies typically include this coverage for 2 years after project completion; some require purchasing an extended completed operations endorsement for longer-term protection. Roofing and structural contractors face significant completed operations risk — verify your policy includes adequate limits and duration.
Florida's contractor licensing system (administered by DBPR and county licensing boards) requires proof of insurance as a condition of licensure. Required minimums vary by license type: Certified General Contractor typically needs $300,000+ GL; Certified Specialty Contractors have varying requirements by trade. Maintain your COI in the DBPR file and update it before renewal — failure to maintain required insurance can result in license suspension or revocation.
For new construction or major renovation projects, builder's risk insurance covers the structure under construction against fire, wind, vandalism, and other perils during the build period. This is typically purchased by the project owner or general contractor for each project. For Florida construction, hurricane exposure during the build period is a significant concern — verify the builder's risk policy covers windstorm and named storms. Builder's risk expires when the project is completed and the property is occupied.
At minimum: general liability ($1M+), workers compensation (required from first employee in construction), commercial auto for company vehicles, and potentially professional liability if providing design services. Most GCs also carry commercial umbrella and builders risk for large projects.
GL for Florida contractors: $1,500–$6,000/year depending on trade and revenue. Workers comp: varies dramatically by trade ($5–$30+ per $100 of payroll). Roofing is the most expensive trade for both GL and WC in Florida.
Yes — subcontractors must carry their own GL and workers comp. A GC's policy does not cover a subcontractor's employees or liability. The GC should verify current COIs from every sub before project start.
Completed operations coverage extends GL protection to claims arising from work after project completion — if a completed structure causes injury or damage, completed operations GL responds. This is typically included in standard contractor GL policies.
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