In Florida, you get workers compensation by buying a policy from a private insurer, since the state has a competitive market with no government fund. Most businesses are placed with a private carrier through an agent in a day or two. If no insurer will take you voluntarily, Florida has a residual-market association that acts as the insurer of last resort so that coverage is always available.
Who this is for: Florida owners who need to buy workers comp, including those who have been turned down. Workers comp pays medical bills and part of lost wages after a work injury.
The short version
- Buy from a private insurer. Florida has no state fund, so coverage comes from private carriers.
- An agent shops for you. An independent agent compares carriers that write your trade.
- Have your details ready. Payroll by job type, headcount, and any claims history speed up a quote.
- A last-resort market exists. A state association covers businesses no carrier will take voluntarily.
- Proof of coverage comes fast. Once bound, you can get a certificate to show contractors or landlords.
The steps to getting covered
Getting a policy in place is usually quick once you have your numbers together.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Gather your information | Payroll by job type, number of employees, claims history |
| Get quotes | An agent shops private carriers that write your work |
| Bind the policy | You accept a quote and coverage starts |
| Show proof | You receive a certificate to give contractors or landlords |
| Adjust at audit | Year-end payroll audit trues up your premium |
If you have been turned down
Florida's insurer of last resort is a state residual-market association, created by statute and self-funded, that exists so coverage is available even when no private carrier will write you voluntarily. It is a Florida-specific, state-backed program, separate from the shared last-resort pool many other states use, and it is small, meant only for businesses the open market declines. Often the reason for a decline, such as a misclassification or a past coverage lapse, can be fixed, which lets an agent move you back to a voluntary carrier at a better price.
A quick Florida example
Illustrative, not a quote. A new Tampa electrical contractor with three employees needs coverage before its first commercial job. Its agent gathers payroll by job type and headcount, shops several private carriers that write electrical work, and binds a policy within two days, then issues the general contractor a certificate the same afternoon. A second contractor with a past coverage lapse is declined by voluntary carriers, so the agent places it in the state residual-market association until its record improves enough to return to the open market.
Real questions Florida owners ask
How do I buy workers comp in Florida?
You buy a policy from a private insurer, usually through an agent who compares carriers that write your trade. Florida has no state fund, so all voluntary coverage is private.
What information do I need to get a quote?
Your payroll by job type, your number of employees, your business structure, and any past claims. Having these ready lets an agent quote quickly.
What if every carrier turns me down?
Florida has a residual-market association that acts as the insurer of last resort, so coverage is available even when the voluntary market declines you.
Is the last-resort market the same as a national pool?
No. Florida runs its own state-backed last-resort program, separate from the shared pool other states use. It is small and only for businesses no regular insurer will cover.
How fast can I get covered?
Many small businesses are quoted within a day or two, and a policy can often be bound quickly once you accept a quote, with proof of coverage issued the same day.
Can I get proof of coverage for a contractor or landlord?
Yes. Once your policy is bound, you can get a certificate showing your coverage to give to a general contractor, a landlord, or a client.
How do I get out of the last-resort market later?
Fix the reason you were declined, such as a misclassification or a past lapse, and an agent can often move you back to a voluntary carrier at a better price.
Why Florida owners choose Morrow
- We shop the right market for you. Florida is a private, competitive market with no state fund, so you buy workers comp from private insurers the state authorizes, and Morrow shops several of them to fit your trade and budget instead of leaving you with one option.
- We catch pricing mistakes. Your price depends heavily on the category your work falls into for pricing (the class code). Put people in the wrong category and you overpay for years. We review your payroll and classifications before you buy.
- Proof of coverage, fast. Need a certificate (proof of coverage) for a general contractor or a landlord before Monday? We turn those around the same business day for most carriers.
- We help lower the score that drives your price. Insurers give you a score based on your past claims that raises or lowers your cost (the experience modification rate). We review it each year, flag errors, and connect you with return-to-work and safety resources that bring it down.
- Real people when a claim happens. When someone gets hurt, we stay involved through the life of the claim, not just at renewal.
Related Florida guides
Every Florida business is set up a little differently. These companion guides answer the same question for other situations, plus the national explainers behind the terms used here.
- Business insurance in Florida (start here)
- Workers comp: the owner's overview
- I own an LLC: do I need workers comp?
- I'm a sole proprietor: do I need workers comp?
- I own a corporation (C-corp or S-corp): do I need it?
- We're a partnership: do we need workers comp?
- We're a nonprofit: do we need workers comp?
- My workers are 1099: do I still need it?
- Only part-time or seasonal staff: do I need it?
- I only employ family: do I need workers comp?
- Remote or out-of-state staff: do I need coverage?
- What happens if I don't carry workers comp?
- How much does workers comp cost?
- What insurance do I need for a contractor license?
- Workers compensation insurance, explained
- What workers comp costs (national guide)
- What is a ghost workers comp policy?
- Hiring your first employee: what changes
- Contractor workers comp in Florida
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Florida rules and penalty amounts can change, so verify current requirements with the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation or a licensed advisor before you rely on them. Last updated: July 2026.