What Are the Benefits of Having Workers’ Comp Insurance in Florida?

There are many benefits of getting Workers’ Compensation insurance for companies in Florida. To learn more about these benefits and take advantage of them, employers can reach out to our skilled brokers.

Getting Workers’ Compensation insurance in Florida is often very beneficial for employers. Insurance coverage protects employers and workers alike, allowing both to streamline recovery and move forward after workplace accidents. Having Workers’ Compensation insurance can also make certain clients feel more comfortable hiring your company for work, which can have many benefits. Additionally, having the necessary coverage can help employers avoid unnecessary penalties for non-compliance with Workers’ Compensation insurance requirements in Florida. To get beneficial Workers’ Compensation insurance in Florida, employers can turn to our brokers for a comprehensive, affordable, and transparent policy in a matter of days.

To learn more about how the Florida Workers’ Compensation insurance brokers at NPN Brokers can assist you, call us today at (561) 990-3022.

The Benefits of Having Workers’ Comp Insurance in Florida

There are many benefits of companies getting and maintaining comprehensive Workers’ Compensation insurance in Florida. First, employers are protected. When covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance, employees have an easy pathway to compensation if workplace injuries happen, allowing employers to avoid unnecessary litigation. This means employees are also protected in the event of a workplace accident, which can make them feel more comfortable working for your company. If you have clients, they may feel reassured, knowing you have Workers’ Compensation insurance. And notably, employers can avoid expensive financial penalties and other consequences for non-compliance with Workers’ Compensation insurance requirements in Florida.

Employers Are Protected

First and foremost, Workers’ Compensation insurance protects employers. Depending on the circumstances of a workplace injury, employers may be liable for an injured worker’s financial losses even if they have prioritized maintaining a safe working environment. This might result in litigation, which can cause issues for companies in Florida. When employers have Workers’ Compensation insurance, filing an insurance claim is often workers’ primary recovery method. This can reduce substantial headaches for employers, protecting them from financial liability in the event of a workplace injury in Florida. If employers don’t have Workers’ Compensation insurance, including independent contractors and sole proprietors, they may be financially responsible for an injured worker’s damages. This is true for employers that aren’t required to have Workers’ Compensation insurance in Florida based on their industry or payroll numbers.

Workers Are Protected

When employers get Workers’ Compensation insurance in Florida, they create a safety net for themselves and their employees. Workers’ Compensation also protects employees in the event of a workplace injury. Instead of worrying about filing a lawsuit to recover compensation for their losses, injured workers can simply file an insurance claim. This can streamline the process for employees, making recovery easier for everyone involved.

Often, employees look for a company with Workers’ Compensation insurance, even if coverage is not required based on industry or payroll in Florida. Knowing that filing a Workers’ Compensation insurance claim is possible after a workplace accident can make employees feel more comfortable working for your company, strengthening your business’s workforce. If you don’t have coverage, your employees won’t be protected if they are injured on the job in Florida.

Clients Are Comfortable

In some cases, certain businesses and persons, like sole proprietorships or contractors, might take on work from clients. If you don’t have Workers’ Compensation insurance, clients might be hesitant to enlist help from your company. Getting the right coverage can make prospective clients feel more comfortable hiring your company for work, possibly increasing your client portfolio and your business’s overall success in Florida.

When contractors or other workers don’t have coverage in Florida, clients might end up being financially liable for their injuries if injured on the job. Typically, homeowners aren’t financially responsible for a contractor’s injuries unless workers are injured because of a homeowner’s negligence. In Wood v. Camp, the Supreme Court of Florida decided that business invitees are entitled to reasonable care from property owners. Contractors and handymen are considered business invitees, and property owners are required to ensure their property is safe and free from hazards to prevent injuries. If a worker is then injured, a client’s homeowner’s insurance might cover a worker’s injuries if they don’t have Workers’ Compensation insurance. This is a problem for several reasons, the primary one being that clients will likely be frustrated and dissatisfied should their homeowner’s insurance be a contractor’s primary route to recovery following a workplace accident on their property. Such events might lead to word spreading of your lack of Workers’ Compensation insurance, making it hard for you to find clients in Florida.

Penalties Are Avoided

Florida is strict when it comes to compliance with Workers’ Compensation insurance requirements. In Florida, the minimum financial penalty for non-compliance is twice the amount a company should have paid in Workers’ Compensation insurance premiums for any period that it was uncovered over the past two years.

In addition to expensive financial penalties, companies may face stop-work-orders or working-in-violation orders when they are found to be without adequate Workers’ Compensation insurance, harming their reputations. In some cases, employers may even face jail time for non-compliance with Workers’ Compensation insurance requirements in Florida. Employers can avoid these penalties by turning to our Florida Workers’ Compensation insurance brokers for coverage.

Employers can face stop-work orders for a lack of Workers’ Compensation insurance in Florida and for other instances of non-compliance. For example, failing to provide accurate payroll numbers, misrepresenting employee responsibilities, or refusing to pay premiums might lead to stop-work orders being imposed on your business in Florida. Typically, construction projects require permits, especially for street closures. The cost of street closures varies, depending on the city in Florida you operate in. If a stop-work order is imposed on your business for its lack of Workers’ Compensation coverage, you might be forced to keep streets closed for longer, further impacting the financial success of a project.

When all things are considered, the costs of penalties associated with failure to comply with Florida’s Workers’ Compensation insurance requirements and the financial impacts of stop-work orders far outweigh the cost of insurance premiums. This further enforces the importance of getting Workers’ Compensation insurance in Florida.

Most Beneficial Workers’ Comp Insurance Policies in Florida

Not all Workers’ Compensation policies are the same; some are more beneficial than others. For example, pay-as-you-go coverage can allow employers to cut down premium costs by only paying for insurance for current employees.

One of the most beneficial types of Workers’ Compensation insurance policies for employers in Florida is pay-as-you-go coverage. This type of coverage enables employers to update payroll numbers on a monthly basis. Pay-as-you-go insurance differs from other traditional policies in that it only requires employers to pay insurance premiums for workers they currently employ or will employ in a month.

Other types of coverage tend to base premiums largely on payroll numbers for an entire year. This might result in higher Workers’ Compensation costs for businesses in Florida. Especially if you see a regular shift in payroll numbers among your workforce, pay-as-you-go coverage may be more beneficial for your business.

When writing and agreeing to a Workers’ Compensation policy, it is crucial to ensure that all necessary employees are covered. It is also important to understand the limits of each policy you are presented with so that you make sure you sign on to a plan that meets your needs.

Does Workers’ Comp Insurance Benefit Some Florida Businesses More Than Others?

While all employers can benefit from getting Workers’ Compensation coverage for their workers, some businesses may see benefits more immediately. Typically, companies in high-risk industries, as well as independent contractors and sole proprietors without a large company behind them, can benefit from Workers’ Compensation the most in Florida.

High-Risk Companies

Some industries present a higher risk of workplace accidents occurring in Florida. For example, the construction industry sees numerous workplace accidents each year. This is one of the reasons why all construction companies in Florida must get Workers’ Compensation insurance, regardless of payroll numbers. Still, other industries, like the manufacturing and agricultural industries, are prone to workplace injuries. Companies that require a considerable amount of manual labor and trucking companies might also see workplace accidents at higher numbers annually.

Our Florida Workers’ Compensation insurance brokers can determine if your company is considered high-risk because of the type of work your employees do and, by extension, if getting Workers’ Compensation might be even more beneficial to you. Even if your company is not part of an industry that Florida considers high-risk, that doesn’t mean it’s immune from workplace accidents occurring. Serious injuries might happen anywhere, from retail stores to offices, making Workers’ Compensation vital for all businesses in Florida.

Sole Proprietors and Independent Contractors

Not every type of worker in Florida is protected by a larger company. For example, independent contractors, though not allowed in the construction industry, might be personally responsible for covering their damages if hurt at work. Sole proprietors, who are allowed in the construction industry in Florida, have no legal separation between themselves and their companies. This creates a significant issue for independent contractors and sole proprietors injured on the job who don’t have access to other protections. Workers’ Compensation insurance can provide that much-needed safety net, especially to those working alone and for themselves in Florida.

How Can Employers Get Beneficial Workers’ Comp Insurance in Florida?

Getting Workers’ Compensation insurance benefits employers in Florida, but how can they get it in the first place? Our insurance brokers can help your company get the most beneficial policy by evaluating its risk factors and finding a plan that meets its needs.

When a company has a history of workplace accidents and other risk factors, getting affordable Workers’ Compensation insurance that benefits it across the board can be challenging. Our brokers have relationships with insurance companies that are flexible regarding coverage, offering plans that require no audits, contracts, or deposits.

Working with our brokers benefits employers in other ways as well. Within just a few days of receiving the necessary information, our brokers can source quotes from reliable carriers that result in dependable coverage. This can help employers avoid lengthy stop-work orders and additional penalties from the Division of Workers’ Compensation in Florida.

Regarding Workers’ Compensation insurance in Florida, the cost might make employers pause. While insurance may benefit you financially in the long term, allowing you to avoid liability for an employee’s expenses after an injury, how can it help you in the short term? Remember, our brokers can pair your business with a pay-as-you-go policy that bases premiums on real-time payroll numbers, not broad estimates. Writing a Workers’ Compensation policy that’s tailored to your business’s needs is possible in Florida and can provide you with the necessary protection while operating in the state.

Call Our Brokers to Get Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Florida

To learn more about the Florida Workers’ Compensation insurance brokers at NPN Brokers, call today at (561) 990-3022.