Florida

Certificate of insurance tracking for Florida contractors

Short answer

Florida changes what a missing workers’ comp policy means. Construction officers can hold an exemption instead of a policy, a general contractor can be liable for an uninsured sub’s employees under Fla. Stat. 440.10, and building permits require proof of coverage or exemption. We track certificates for Florida GCs and show what to verify.

Written by Liam · CertChase · Last reviewed October 3, 2026

In this section

01Florida guideFlorida sub COI requirementsWhat a Florida GC should collect from subs: the COI, workers’ comp or exemption certificate, and how to verify each. Includes a free requirements builder.02Florida guideFlorida exemption verificationCheck a Florida sub’s workers’ comp coverage or exemption certificate. What an exemption means, where to search the state database and the red flags.03Florida guideFlorida statutory employer ruleUnder Fla. Stat. 440.10, a Florida contractor can be liable for an uninsured sub’s employees. What it says and what to check before sublet work.04Florida guideFlorida indemnity rulesFlorida limits construction indemnity clauses. What Fla. Stat. 725.06 requires and what to confirm with counsel before relying on a clause.05Miami, FloridaMiamiMiami general contractors: we collect and chase sub certificates of insurance and flag the hurricane-zone and licensing checks a certificate can’t prove.

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OrlandoGathering verified local detail
TampaGathering verified local detail
JacksonvilleGathering verified local detail

Why Florida needs its own approach

Exemptions replace policies. Up to three officers of a construction corporation or LLC members can elect to be exempt from workers’ comp. A sub with no policy can still be lawful, for those officers only.
Statutory employer. If a sub has not secured workers’ comp, the contractor can be liable for that sub’s employees.
Permits need proof. Employers must show proof of coverage or a valid exemption when applying for a building permit.
Indemnity is limited. Construction indemnity clauses must carry a monetary limit and cannot cover the indemnitee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Hurricane zones. Miami-Dade and Broward add product approval rules that no certificate can prove.

Not legal or insurance advice. Each point links to a guide with the statute named. Verify against the primary source and ask your attorney and broker.

Where do we serve in Florida?

Miami is our first Florida city page because we can add verified local detail on hurricane-zone rules and two-tier licensing. We add Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville only when each has local detail we can verify. The state guides apply everywhere in Florida.

Frequently asked questions

Does a Florida subcontractor need a workers’ comp policy?

Generally yes for employees. Construction officers can elect an exemption for themselves, up to three per corporation or LLC with at least 10 percent ownership, but the exemption does not cover other employees.

Which Florida guide should a GC read first?

Start with the subcontractor COI requirements guide, then workers’ comp exemption verification, then the statutory employer guide.

Can a general contractor be liable for a sub’s workers’ comp in Florida?

Under Fla. Stat. 440.10, a contractor is liable for the workers’ comp of a subcontractor’s employees unless that subcontractor has secured coverage. Contractors can usually recover what they pay from the sub unless the contract says otherwise.

Keep reading

01Florida guideFlorida sub COI requirementsWhat a Florida GC should collect from subs: the COI, workers’ comp or exemption certificate, and how to verify each. Includes a free requirements builder.02Miami, FloridaMiamiMiami general contractors: we collect and chase sub certificates of insurance and flag the hurricane-zone and licensing checks a certificate can’t prove.

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