Workers' Compensation Insurance for Jacksonville and St. Augustine Employers

Florida requires workers' compensation for most employers with four or more employees, and for construction employers from the first employee (FS 440.02). Operating without required coverage brings a stop-work order at all your Florida worksites and a penalty of twice the premium you avoided, with a $1,000 minimum (FS 440.107). We place it for Jacksonville and St. Johns County employers.

Florida workers' comp for Jacksonville and St. Augustine employers: the four-employee and construction rules, 2026 rate cut, class codes and EMR. Free quote.

Figures reviewed against Florida Statutes and carrier bulletins on September 27, 2026.

Workers' compensation in Jacksonville and St. Augustine

Florida's rules are statewide, the rates dropped again in 2026, and the enforcement is local: the state's compliance investigators work job sites in Duval and St. Johns every week.

Jacksonville and Duval County employers

Duval authorized 6,017 new housing units worth about $1.13 billion in 2025, and JAXPORT handled 10.2 million tons of cargo in fiscal 2025; construction and logistics payroll is where most Jacksonville workers' comp premium sits.

Coverage is mandatory at four or more employees for most employers and from the very first employee in construction (FS 440.02(20)(b)2.); OIR approved a 6.9% statewide rate decrease for new and renewal policies from January 1, 2026, the ninth consecutive annual cut.
In construction the officer exemption covers no more than three officers who each own at least 10% of the company, filed electronically for a $50 fee (FS 440.02(18)(b)2., 440.05); LLC members owning 10% or more are treated as officers.
A stop-work order takes effect at every non-compliant worksite you have in Florida, carries a penalty of twice the premium you avoided (minimum $1,000, with a 24-month look-back for concealed payroll or repeat offenders), and stays on the state's website for at least five years (FS 440.107(7)).
Your price is your payroll by class code times the approved rate, adjusted by your experience modification factor; the 2026 decrease lowers the rate, but a clean three-year loss history and a return-to-work program are what move the modifier.

St. Augustine and St. Johns County employers

St. Johns County authorized 4,735 housing units worth about $1.20 billion in 2025 and counts 976 licensed food-service accounts and 1,516 lodging accounts, a mix of construction crews and hospitality staff that sits on opposite ends of the class-code table.

A restaurant or hotel in St. Augustine is covered at four employees; the framing crew building the next phase in Nocatee or along SR 207 is covered at one.
General contractors are held to their subcontractors' compliance: a sub with no policy and no valid exemptions puts its injured workers on the GC's policy and its payroll into the GC's audit, so certificates are collected before the first day on site, not at year end.
DBPR counted 92,976 active construction licenses statewide in its most recent annual report; the state's stop-work orders are public for at least five years, and Northeast Florida GCs check them before awarding work.

Privately owned residential construction authorized in 2025 (U.S. Census Building Permits Survey)

County	Single-family units	Units in 5+ unit buildings	All units	Permit valuation
Duval	3,732	2,253 (69 buildings)	6,017	about $1.13 billion
St. Johns	3,554	1,039 (34 buildings)	4,735	about $1.20 billion

Totals are the sum of the Census county file's single-family, 2-unit, 3-4 unit and 5+ unit rows and include imputed values; commercial construction is not in this survey.

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Data sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Jacksonville business with three employees need workers' compensation?

If it is not in construction, no. Florida's mandate begins at four or more employees (FS 440.02(20)(b)2.). A construction employer needs coverage from the first employee, and no more than three officers who each own at least 10% may claim the construction exemption (FS 440.02(18)(b)2., 440.05). Many three-person firms still buy a policy because a contract requires it.

What did Florida workers' comp rates do in 2026?

The Office of Insurance Regulation approved a 6.9% statewide overall decrease for new and renewal policies effective January 1, 2026, the ninth consecutive annual reduction. The decrease applies to the approved manual rates. Your premium still depends on your payroll, class codes and experience modification factor, so an employer with a bad claim year can see a higher bill.

Is workers compensation insurance required in Florida?

Yes. Florida requires workers' compensation for most employers with four or more employees, and for construction employers from the very first employee (FS 440.02(20)(b)2.). Corporate officers and LLC members owning at least 10% can file an exemption with the state, with tighter limits in construction.

Who can be exempt from workers' compensation in Florida?

Corporate officers and LLC members owning at least 10% can file an exemption with the state. In construction the exemption is limited to three officers who each own at least 10% and carries a $50 fee (FS 440.02(18)(b)2., 440.05).

What is the penalty for not carrying workers' compensation in Florida?

Going without required coverage brings a stop-work order that applies to every one of your worksites in Florida and a penalty of twice the premium you avoided, with a $1,000 minimum (FS 440.107(7)). That is on top of direct exposure to injured-worker lawsuits.

How are workers compensation premiums calculated?

Premiums are based on your payroll, industry classification codes and claims history. Each job classification has a rate per $100 of payroll, and higher-risk jobs like roofing have higher rates than office work. Your experience modification rate (EMR) adjusts premiums up or down based on your claims history. Safety programs and claims management can reduce your EMR over time.

What injuries and illnesses does workers comp cover?

Workers compensation covers all work-related injuries and occupational diseases, including accidents, repetitive stress injuries, back injuries, exposure to harmful substances, and occupational illnesses. Coverage includes medical treatment, rehabilitation, temporary disability payments (typically 66% of wages), permanent disability benefits, and death benefits for dependents. It covers injuries regardless of fault.

Can employees sue my business if they're injured at work?

Generally no—workers compensation is an exclusive remedy, meaning employees cannot sue employers for workplace injuries covered by workers comp. However, employees can sue for intentional harm, injuries caused by employer fraud, or if the employer doesn't carry required workers comp insurance. They can also sue third parties (equipment manufacturers, subcontractors) whose negligence caused their injury.

Do I need workers comp if I only use independent contractors?

It depends on whether they are truly independent contractors or misclassified employees. Florida law presumes workers are employees unless they meet criteria such as a separate business entity and control over work methods. Misclassifying employees as contractors can result in fines, back premiums and personal liability. Many businesses require contractors to carry their own workers comp and provide certificates.

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