Florida contractors get asked for paper before they get asked for a price. A general contractor, a city, or a homeowner wants liability, workers' compensation, and often a vehicle and a bond. This page is the set of policies those requests are pointing at. It is written for people who build, repair, and install, not for a storefront.
What it covers
General liability for the job, including completed operations as the form defines them. Workers' compensation for employees, or the state's exemption process for owners who qualify. Commercial auto for trucks and vans. Inland marine for tools and equipment that move from job to job. A license bond when the Department of Business and Professional Regulation or a local building department requires one. A commercial umbrella when the contract's limit is higher than the primary policy. Builders risk when you are responsible for a structure under construction.
What it doesn't cover
Faulty workmanship you have to redo, in the way the liability exclusions describe. The customer's existing structure, except for resulting damage the form covers. Tools left on a general liability policy. A personal auto that the company says is not rated for the work. An exemption you meant to file and did not. Flood and wind on a building you do not insure. Those last two are property questions, not contractor questions, unless the contract makes you carry builders risk.
Florida specifics
Section 440.02 sets construction apart. One employee is enough to trigger workers' compensation in the construction industry. Non-construction work uses a higher count. Subcontractors without coverage can be treated as your employees. Collect their certificates and their exemption letters. Licensing is separate, through the state and sometimes the county or the city. Jacksonville and Clay County permits do not accept a story in place of a certificate.
Roofing, plumbing, electrical, and general contracting are different classes. The class decides the workers' compensation rate and whether a liability company will write the work. Describe the work the way the jobs actually look, including any height, any hot roof, and any new construction.
How we help
Bring the license, a list of subcontractors, the vehicles, and one contract that shows the limits you are asked for. We shop liability, workers' compensation, auto, tools, and the bond as a set, because a certificate that is missing one of them does not get you on the job. Start a business quote and choose contractors' coverages, or call either office.