Home › Workers' Comp by Industry › Roofers

Workers' Comp for Roofers in Florida

Code 5551 — 2026 FL filed rate: $6.75/100 — See how much you can save.

Why Roofing Has Florida's Highest Workers' Comp Rates

Roofing is one of the most heavily regulated and expensive workers' comp classifications in Florida. The state-filed rate for NCCI code 5551 (Roofing) sits at $6.75 per $100 of payroll for 2026 - placing it among the highest of all 2026 Florida classifications.

At our agency, we understand that the risks faced by roofers are very real, and the numbers back it up - falls from heights are the top cause of fatal injuries in the construction industry. Given Florida's year-round roofing season, our clients in this trade are constantly exposed to these dangers. As a result, carriers set their prices with this heightened risk in mind, which is why most roofing contractors typically pay premiums at or above the standard rate, unless they have the benefit of participating in a specialized program tailored to their unique needs.

Code 5551 covers all roofing types - shingle, flat, tile, metal, TPO, modified bitumen, and foam. Both residential and commercial roofing fall under this single classification in Florida.

The PEO Advantage for Florida Roofing Contractors

As a trusted agency serving Florida's roofing community, we've seen firsthand how our clients can benefit from partnering with a Professional Employer Organization (PEO). By pooling hundreds of contractors under a single master workers' comp policy, we're able to offer our clients significantly lower rates - often substantially below what they'd be quoted by a standalone carrier, even if they have a claims history.

Traditional Policy

Large upfront deposit (10–25% of annual premium). Year-end audit that can trigger a surprise bill. Individual risk rating - one bad claim raises your rate.

PEO Program

Pay-as-you-go with each payroll cycle. No year-end audit. Group rating buffers individual claim impact. Often 10–30% below market for qualifying roofers.

What Goes Into Your Roofing Workers' Comp Cost

At our agency, we understand that the total workers' comp cost for our clients in the roofing industry is determined by four key factors: class codes, which for roofers are typically 5551 for residential and 5445 for commercial; rates, such as the current rate of $28.55 per $100 of payroll for class code 5551; enforcement, including the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation's requirement that all employers with four or more full-time or part-time employees carry workers' comp insurance; and claim types, which can range from fall-related injuries to equipment accidents, and can significantly impact a roofing contractor's experience modification factor and, in turn, their workers' comp premium.

Filed rate - The 2026 FL NCCI rate of $6.75/100 is your baseline.
Experience Modifier (EMR) - If you have claims history, your mod multiplies the base rate up or down. Even a 1.25 mod on a large payroll adds up fast.
Payroll volume - Premium is charged per $100 of gross payroll, so every employee added increases your exposure.
1099 vs W-2 classification - Florida is aggressive about reclassifying subcontractors. Misclassified 1099 workers can create uninsured exposure that falls back on you.

Common Questions from Florida Roofers

In Florida, if your 1099 subcontractor does not have their own workers' comp coverage (or a valid exemption), their payroll can be added to your audit - and you'll pay the premium. Always get certificates of insurance or valid exemption certificates from every sub before they set foot on a job.

Get your free instant quote →

Florida allows officers of a roofing company to apply for an exemption - but roofing exemptions are heavily scrutinized. As of recent rule changes, roofing contractor exemptions require proof of ownership stake and are limited to up to three officers per company. Employees cannot be exempted.

Get your free instant quote →

A high experience modifier makes standalone market coverage expensive or sometimes unavailable. PEO programs are often the best route for roofing contractors with claims history, since individual claim impact is buffered by the group's overall loss ratio.

Get your free instant quote →

Yes. Our PEO-based programs collect workers' comp premium each payroll cycle based on actual wages - not an annual estimate. No large down payment, no year-end audit surprises.

Get your free instant quote →

In most cases, qualifying roofing contractors can be enrolled and covered within a few business days. Some programs can expedite to 24–48 hours for active job requirements.

Get your free instant quote →