Workers’ Compensation Policy Coverage for Electricians in Florida

All companies and individuals that do electrical work in the State of Florida are required to buy and carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, since the risk of injury can be high with electrical work, it can sometimes be difficult for electricians to find an insurance company that offers workers’ comp policies at an affordable rate.

Fortunately, NPN Brokers can help electricians find an affordable workers’ compensation policy that suits the needs of their business. Businesses that are interested in using NPN to find a workers’ compensation policy for their employees are encouraged to contact us for more information about getting a free quote. Get in touch with NPN Brokers soon by calling (561) 990-3022.

Worker’s Compensation Policy Laws in Florida

Worker’s compensation ensures that employees are compensated if they are injured or fall ill “in the course and scope” of the job. With worker’s compensation insurance, the insurance covers the costs an employee incurs after an injury, which can include medical costs (physician and hospital visits, prescription costs, physical therapy), and missed income and lost wages. It can also cover the costs associated with death if an employee is killed on the job, which is paid to the deceased employee’s family.

It is important for both employers and employees to have worker’s compensation insurance—it ensures that employees will be paid what they’re owed, and it protects employers from large lawsuits that will require them to pay for the employees’ injuries out-of-pocket.

In Florida, all companies and contractors that work in a construction-related field and that employ a minimum of one person are required to have worker’s compensation insurance (this includes contractors and companies that work in the electrical field). Industries that are construction-related are the only ones that are subject to these requirements.

Agriculture companies in Florida that have at least six employees are required to provide worker’s compensation insurance for their employees, while companies in neither field must pay for worker’s compensation insurance if they have at least four employees.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Electricians in Florida

Workers’ compensation insurance is important for both employers and employees. It ensures that employees are compensated if they are injured or fall ill “in the course and scope” of the job, and workers’ comp protects employers from lawsuits filed by employees for compensation over injuries.

Employees that are injured while working are entitled to compensation that covers the costs related to their injuries. Lost wages due to an inability to perform normal work and medical expenses are costs that are a part of workers’ compensation. If an employee dies while on the job, their family is entitled to receive compensation through a workers’ compensation policy.

Certain conditions related to an employee’s injury may prevent them from receiving compensation: If the employee failed to observe safety rules or wear proper safety equipment; if they were intoxicated or on drugs while the injury occurred; or if the injury was intentionally self-inflicted, they will not be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits or sue their employer for negligence.

Electricians in Florida are required to buy and carry workers’ compensation insurance because they are considered to be in a construction-related field. All companies and contractors that work in a construction-related field in Florida must provide workers’ compensation insurance for themselves or their employees if they employ at least one person (lone contractors themselves meet the one-employee requirement). Construction-related fields are those that require manual labor as part of the creation or maintenance of a structure; aside form electrical work, it includes plumbing, landscaping, heating and ventilation, roofing, siding, and others.

Construction-related companies are the only companies that must carry workers’ comp insurance if they have just one employee; other industries have different minimum requirements. Agricultural companies that operate in Florida must get workers’ compensation insurance if they employ at least six regular employees or 12 seasonal employees; all other companies must provide workers’ compensation insurance if they have at least four employees.

Florida businesses that are seeking workers’ compensation policies should be aware of the penalties that they may face for failing to secure coverage. If a business fails to get a workers’ compensation policy for its employees, the owner may face fines from the State of Florida or be issued a stop-work order forcing them to cease all operations until they comply with the state’s insurance requirements. Furthermore, business owners can face criminal charges for failing to report injuries suffered by employees, trying to ensure that employees’ claims are denied, threatening to retaliate against employees who file claims, or trying to falsely claim that an employee is an independent contractor.

Electrical Contractors and Companies are a Part of the Construction Industry (Rule 69L-6.021)

According to Rule 69L-6.021 of the Florida Administrative Code, any business that does work in a construction-related field and that also employs at least one person is required to purchase and maintain a worker’s compensation policy. Construction-related is a broad term that includes landscaping and tree removal, carpentry and floor work, cabinet installation, roofing, siding installation, plumbing, tile and stone work, commercial fishing, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. This also includes contractors and companies that do electrical work.

The Cost of Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Florida

Prices of workers’ compensation policies in Florida are determined based on a few factors. Firstly, the nature of the work that a company does is considered; those that do work that is high-risk are charged a higher price for their workers’ compensation policies. Another factor that determines the price that a company will pay for their workers’ compensation insurance is the number of injuries that businesses in similar industries have faced in the five years preceding the date of the quote.

Electrical businesses are often considered to be high-risk due to their likelihood of injury, which means that many insurance companies will not offer them coverage, and if they do, it will be at a higher rate. A business is considered to be high-risk if they have previously made workers’ comp claims, if they have been in operation for less than 3 years, or if they are in an industry whose employees frequently suffer from injuries.

NPN, however, has relationships with insurance companies that offer workers’ compensation insurance policies to businesses that are high-risk. All businesses, regardless of the inherent risks in the work they do, are welcome to find affordable workers’ comp policies with the help of NPN Brokers.

Getting a Workers’ Comp Insurance Quote for Electricians

Anyone interested in getting workers’ compensation coverage for their employees are encouraged to get a quote from NPN Brokers. Businesses can get a free workers’ compensation quote by going to NPN’s website and answering some simple questions about their business, their employees, and when they would like to receive coverage.

A quote can be received within minutes. NPN Brokers is proud to offer insurance policies that do not require contracts, deposits, or audits from buyers. Policy buyers can pay as they go, and they benefit from flexibility regarding payment dates.

The Penalties of Failing to Get a Worker’s Compensation Policy in Florida

Contractors and companies that work in the electrical field that fail to get worker’s compensation policies may face severe penalties. They may have to pay for costs related to employees’ injuries out-of-pocket if the employee files a lawsuit against them. Injured employees are allowed to sue employers that have failed to pay for a worker’s comp policy.

Companies that do not obtain worker’s compensation policies for their employees may also have to pay large fines to the state of Florida. Florida may require them to pay a fine of $1,000 per employee that did not have an insurance policy or double the amount of what they would have paid in premiums during the time that they were not insured. Another possible consequence of failing to obtain a worker’s compensation policy is a stop-work order issued by the state, which would force your company to stop all business operations until it complies with the laws regarding the purchase of worker’s compensation policies for employees.

Attempting to avoid paying for a worker’s compensation policy for an employee by falsely declaring that they are an independent contractor can result in a fine of $5,000. Imprisonment (as it is a type of insurance fraud) or loss of the right to conduct business in Florida are other possible consequences.

Get a Fast, Affordable Workers’ Compensation Policy for Electricians in Florida

Finding affordable workers’ comp insurance can be a challenging endeavor for electricians in Florida, but it doesn’t have to be. With the help of NPN Brokers, you can start the process of getting workers’ compensation insurance by visiting our website and entering some information about your business and its employees. Call NPN Brokers at (561) 990-3022 today for more information about getting a workers’ compensation policy for your business.