Workers comp question.
- Thread starter Ralph Q
- Start date
DunRite
New member
Ralph
I dont know how things work in your state but if your a one man show do everything you can NOT to have it..In my state it is a nightmare, a scam and ripoff but unfortunately i have to have it due to some commercial clients i have..
With that being said, if your doing commercial work they most likely are going to ask for it. If your doing strictly residential it doesnt affect the homeowner one way or another if you have it, Liability Ins is whats most important..
Dont know how Fl works, but in NJ it is all run through the state and the premium is based on your payroll with an audit done every year..
I dont know how things work in your state but if your a one man show do everything you can NOT to have it..In my state it is a nightmare, a scam and ripoff but unfortunately i have to have it due to some commercial clients i have..
With that being said, if your doing commercial work they most likely are going to ask for it. If your doing strictly residential it doesnt affect the homeowner one way or another if you have it, Liability Ins is whats most important..
Dont know how Fl works, but in NJ it is all run through the state and the premium is based on your payroll with an audit done every year..
My agent told me the same thing, "nightmare, a scam and ripoff"...to require an individual who is a one man show to carry this. I am in Oregon, and as a Commercial Contractor through the Construction Contractors Board I am required to have work comp before they will even recognize that endorsement.
I believe I payed about $500/yr for 500,000. Looking into bumping to 1mil as required by a potential customer I was quoted about another $500 on top (so $1000ish/yr.)
I believe I payed about $500/yr for 500,000. Looking into bumping to 1mil as required by a potential customer I was quoted about another $500 on top (so $1000ish/yr.)
palm beach
New member
Ralph the minimum on that class code is 3500.00 a year for one man op. Anything over the minimum charges just under 5% on payroll until you make a claim then the % goes up from there.pm me if you got anymore ?
Ralph Q
New member
Thanks Nicholas. That's all I needed to hear. I got asked twice for commercial work and 1 residential guy who must have been talking to another contractor, who insisted I had to have it. His reasoning was he could get sued if I don't have it. I'm not totally sure but I don't think having workers comp is going to stop someone from suing them if something happens. Maybe there is some logic to it, I don't see it. I am not going to pay $3500+ per year for a few jobs. This might curtail my hiring employees also. Is there other personal insurance I can get if I get hurt, that won't cost as much and subject me to government scrutiny.
Hey Mike Rego. I worked in New Jersey for 7 years and I know they want their money!
palm beach
New member
Medical insurance isnt astronomical for catastrophic if its just for you. Make sure you have a work comp exemption on file at the proper divisions office. Also a sole proprietor can not do roofs, even from a ladder with an exemption. They must have a comp policy. A corp or llc can do roof cleaning with an exemption. The minimum fine is 1000.00 when they catch you working improperly. The do random searches in areas, or when your competition is a little touchy ..lol.
Ralph Q
New member
I'm not cleaning roofs but I clean gutters from the roof is that the same thing?
Is this Florida specific? Just wondering where you got your cost from?, Personal experience or a breakdown posted somewhere? I just looked mine up, in my records. $531/yr, (500 for policy premium, 31 for Oregon Assessment), 500K 'each accident'.
Here is also an interesting page worth reading. 4th paragraph explains pricing on this 'style' work comp.
View attachment owners.pdf
Also I was wrong in my original post where I called it an "owner carry policy", it's referred to as "personal election coverage"
palm beach
New member
Apparently floriduh specific. When I first started my payroll was way under the minimum but still had to pay the 3500. Don't know about gutters but they were VERY SPECIFIC about roofs and ladders.
Ralph Q
New member
I don't know I found this on floridawc.com. It is the rate per $100 of payroll. so to get to $3500, you'd need $70,000 in payroll. The $5.26 is for 2013. I found 2014's and it was $5.21. I can't find it now . I mean this is more like it. Especially since I'm just getting started here. After a few years $3500 won't seem like that much but now it could be a deal breaker for me doing certain things.
2012 and 2013 Florida Workers Comp Rates
- See more at: http://www.floridawc.com/workerscompensation/policy/rates/#sthash.E05AqvWB.dpuf
OK found out they use, as of 2013, $41,800 as a payroll for a sole proprietor that wants to get workers comp. that comes out to $2198.00. Geez $2200, My GL is only $900 Apparently there is a different code for cleaning roofs it is 5551 and it is $18.71 per hundred of payroll, in 2013. I'll stay off the roofs.
2012 and 2013 Florida Workers Comp Rates
- See more at: http://www.floridawc.com/workerscompensation/policy/rates/#sthash.E05AqvWB.dpuf
OK found out they use, as of 2013, $41,800 as a payroll for a sole proprietor that wants to get workers comp. that comes out to $2198.00. Geez $2200, My GL is only $900 Apparently there is a different code for cleaning roofs it is 5551 and it is $18.71 per hundred of payroll, in 2013. I'll stay off the roofs.
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Nick L
Member
Ralph Q
New member
Hey Nick. I came up with 9014. But I guess that is for ground level pressure washing. 9170 is for above ground level. What does that mean? Working on ladders, lifts?
There is $1.50 difference between them. I try to stay on the ground for pressure washing, does that mean house washes or does that mean ,me physically going higher?. Also, since it is non-construction, as a sole proprietor I am not required to have it.
Do you know anything about gutter cleaning, and being on a ladder. Nicholas said I am required to get it if I work on a ladder, but I can't find that anywhere.
Nick L
Member
You are not required to have it to work on a ladder- As a sole proprietor, less than 4 employees and its non construction the state does not require you to have works comp, a company that hires you may require you to have it so there not liable if you get hurt on there property. 9170 does include working on ladders up to three stories and washing the exterior of a building. Not sure about gutters, but I would imagine as long as your not on the roof you will be OK.
I spoke with NCCI (National Council on Compensation Insurance) - they asked me a few questions about what I do and gave me the appropriate codes, took about 3 minutes. If you need there number shoot me a text.