Fort Lauderdale contractors insurance from a Florida-rooted agency

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is workers' compensation really required for a one-person construction business in Florida?
  Yes. Florida law requires workers' compensation coverage for construction businesses with even a single employee, which includes the owner in most classifications. This rule applies to contractors operating anywhere in Broward County, from residential remodeling in Pompano to commercial work near Port Everglades. Sole proprietors can elect to exempt themselves, but that exemption does not satisfy the certificate requirements most general contractors and property owners demand before allowing a sub on site. Ellie can walk you through both the compliance requirement and the certificate documentation that Fort Lauderdale GCs expect.
• What general liability limits do Fort Lauderdale general contractors typically require from subs?
  Requirements vary by project type and GC, but commercial builds in Broward County — particularly downtown Las Olas office renovations, marina infrastructure work on Marine Mile, and larger hospitality projects near the Beaches submarket — commonly specify a one-million-dollar per-occurrence limit with a two-million-dollar aggregate, and may require the GC to be added as an additional insured. Some public or Port Everglades-adjacent projects set higher thresholds. The clearest approach is to review the contract language before binding coverage so the policy is structured to meet those specific requirements from day one.
• Does contractors' equipment coverage apply to tools and materials stored at a Fort Lauderdale jobsite?
  Contractors' equipment coverage, written as an inland marine policy, is designed to cover tools, owned equipment, and in some cases materials while in transit or temporarily stored at a jobsite — including active sites in Oakland Park, Pompano, or along the coastal Beaches corridor. Standard commercial property policies generally do not extend to equipment away from a fixed premises, which leaves a coverage gap that is easy to overlook until a theft or storm-damage loss occurs. Coverage terms, sublimits, and named-peril versus open-peril structures vary by carrier, so the policy details matter significantly.
• What insurance do contractors need in Fort Lauderdale?
  General contractors, subcontractors, and specialty trades — roofing, framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, concrete, and more. A typical Fort Lauderdale program combines several of these coverages based on the operation, contracts, and exposures.
• How much does contractor insurance cost in Fort Lauderdale?
  Cost depends on the size of the operation, payroll or revenue, vehicles, prior claims, and Florida-specific factors. Florida requires workers' comp for construction at a single employee, and GCs must verify every sub's coverage before work begins or absorb the exposure on their own policy. An Instant Quote across 100+ markets is the most accurate way to know.
• What's different about insuring contractors in Florida?
  Florida requires workers' comp for construction at a single employee, and GCs must verify every sub's coverage before work begins or absorb the exposure on their own policy.
• Can Ellie Insurance Group shop contractor insurance for my Fort Lauderdale operation?
  Yes. As an independent agency we shop 100+ carrier markets for contractor insurance, including specialty markets for harder-to-place contractors. Fort Lauderdale is part of our core Florida service area.