Florida has strict workers' comp requirements for trucking companies. Find out what you need, what it costs, and how to stay compliant.
Florida law requires most employers with four or more employees to carry workers' compensation insurance. For the construction industry, that threshold drops to one employee. Trucking companies fall under general industry rules, but there are important nuances.
If you're a sole proprietor or single-member LLC with no employees, you're generally exempt from the workers' comp requirement. But if you have even one employee — including part-time drivers — you need coverage.
The tricky part for trucking companies is the classification of drivers. Are they employees or independent contractors? The IRS and Florida's Division of Workers' Compensation use different tests to make this determination, and getting it wrong can be expensive.
Workers' comp rates for trucking are calculated based on your payroll and the classification codes assigned to your drivers. Long-haul trucking typically carries higher rates than local delivery because of the increased risk exposure.
One cost-saving strategy: a pay-as-you-go workers' comp policy ties your premiums directly to your actual payroll each period, rather than requiring a large upfront deposit based on estimated payroll. This improves cash flow and eliminates the hassle of year-end audits.
Our team can help you navigate Florida's workers' comp requirements and find the most cost-effective solution for your trucking operation.