TrackMyVendor › Guides › Subcontractor Insurance Requirements — Florida
Florida Subcontractor Insurance Requirements
What coverage general contractors should require from subcontractors on Florida job sites — including Florida's strict workers' compensation rules for the construction industry.
In this guide
Standard Insurance Requirements for Florida Subcontractors
Florida general contractors set their own insurance requirements for subs through subcontract terms. The table below reflects commercial standards for most Florida commercial construction projects.
| Coverage type | Typical minimum | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial General Liability (CGL) | $1M per occurrence $2M aggregate | Bodily injury and property damage from the sub's operations, completed work, and products |
| Workers' Compensation | Florida statutory limits | Required by law for all Florida construction employers — medical expenses and lost wages for injured workers |
| Employer's Liability | $100K / $500K / $100K | Lawsuits from injured employees beyond what WC covers (bundled with WC policy) |
| Commercial Auto Liability | $1M combined single limit | Bodily injury and property damage from vehicles used in the sub's operations |
| Umbrella / Excess Liability | $1M–$5M (project dependent) | Excess coverage above CGL, auto, and employer's liability limits |
Workers' Compensation — Florida's Construction Industry Rules
Florida requires workers' compensation coverage for all employers in the construction industry with one or more employees — including sole proprietors and partners who work in the business. This is stricter than most other states, where WC thresholds typically start at 3–5 employees.
Who is covered
- All construction-industry employers with 1 or more employees must carry WC
- Corporate officers in construction companies are automatically included unless they file for an exemption with the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation
- LLC members who work in the business are treated as employees unless they hold a valid exemption certificate
Exemptions — what they mean for GCs
Florida allows up to three officers of a corporation (or members of an LLC) to exempt themselves from workers' compensation coverage. A sub may hand you a COI showing no WC and cite an exemption.
Sole proprietors doing specialty work
A sole proprietor with no employees is not required to carry WC in Florida if they hold an active exemption. However, if they hire workers — even temporarily — the exemption no longer applies and WC is required. Build this verification into your onboarding process for any sub claiming exemption.
Additional Insured and Waiver of Subrogation
Additional insured endorsement
Require that your company (and the project owner, if applicable) be listed as additional insured on the sub's CGL and auto policies, on a primary and non-contributory basis. This means the sub's policy responds first before your own policy is called upon.
Waiver of subrogation
Require a waiver of subrogation on the sub's WC and CGL policies in your favor. Without this, the sub's insurer can pursue subrogation claims against you after paying a claim — even if you're named as additional insured on the GL policy.
Adjusting Minimums by Project Type
| Project type | Suggested CGL minimum | Suggested umbrella |
|---|---|---|
| Residential / small commercial | $1M / $2M | Not always required |
| Mid-size commercial ($1M–$10M contract value) | $1M / $2M | $1M–$2M |
| Large commercial / mixed-use ($10M+) | $2M / $4M | $5M+ |
| High-hazard trades (roofing, demolition, structural) | $2M / $4M | $5M+ |
Florida roofing contractors present particular risk — verify that their CGL specifically covers roofing operations and completed operations. Some policies exclude roofing work or apply sublimits. Ask for the policy declarations page, not just the COI, if there's any doubt.
Collecting and Tracking Certificates of Insurance
Florida's active hurricane season means job sites see weather-related incidents more frequently than most states — COI management is especially important here. A lapsed certificate during an active project is an exposure you don't want.
- Collect a current COI before any sub begins work. Policy periods run annually, so a COI collected at project kickoff will expire during a multi-year project.
- Track expiration dates and set reminders well in advance — 30 days minimum, 60 for your largest subs.
- Verify Florida DBPR license status alongside the COI. Verify FL license status →
- For subs claiming WC exemptions, log and track the exemption expiration date separately from the COI.
Use magic-link vendor self-service to have subs upload their own documents without creating an account. Automated alerts notify you before any COI expires, and per-project compliance views show which subs are covered for each active job site.
Track COIs and licenses for all your Florida subs
TrackMyVendor monitors certificates of insurance and contractor licenses automatically — so you know immediately when something lapses. Free for your first 25 contractors.
Start free →Frequently Asked Questions
Is workers' compensation required for subcontractors in Florida?
What is the minimum general liability insurance for a subcontractor in Florida?
What does "primary and non-contributory" mean on a COI?
How do I verify a Florida workers' comp exemption?
Does a sub's COI tell me if they're licensed by the Florida DBPR?
Related guides and tools