Ask the roofer for a certificate of insurance showing general liability and workers' compensation. Then look up workers' comp yourself in the state's Proof of Coverage database, or the Exemption Search if the roofer says they are exempt. A license lookup alone does not prove the policies are active today.
A license shows a roofer can legally do the work. Insurance is the part that decides who pays if someone gets hurt or your house gets damaged. Here is how to check it yourself in about 15 minutes.
Two kinds matter: workers' compensation and general liability. Florida law ties both to a roofer's license.
Workers' compensation covers the cost when a worker is hurt on the job. The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation says construction employers with one or more employees must have it, and that includes owners who are corporate officers or LLC members. General liability, which Florida Statute 489.115(5) calls public liability and property damage insurance, covers harm to the public, such as damage to your home or injury to someone who is not on the crew.
The same statute says a contractor signs an affidavit, a sworn statement, that these policies are in place when the license is issued or renewed. The amounts are set by the licensing board's rule. The board checks those affidavits by a random sample, not one by one. So a license in good standing tells you the roofer claimed coverage at renewal. It does not prove the policy is active today. Our guide to verifying a Florida roofing license covers the license check. This page covers the insurance.
Coastline's Florida roofing license is CCC1331076. Look it up on the state website before you hire anyone, and ask each roofer for the same paper trail. Coastline Roofing works all over Florida (license CCC1331076).
Ask for the paper, then check the workers' compensation part yourself on the state's database.
A certificate of insurance, often called a COI, is a one-page summary from the roofer's insurance agent. Ask for one for general liability and one for workers' compensation. Ask the roofer to have the agent send each one straight to you.
Look for the insured name, which should match the name on your contract, the policy numbers, the effective and expiration dates, the kind of coverage and the insurance company. Check that the dates cover the whole job. Treat the certificate as a summary, and call the agent listed on it if anything looks off.
The state's Proof of Coverage database lets you search by employer name, federal employer ID number or policy number. It lists coverage and exemptions reported by insurers. The state notes a lag: coverage for a business that gets workers through an employee leasing company may not show up, so call the leasing company or its carrier in that case.
Use the Exemption Search. You can search by last name, first name, employer name or federal employer ID number. An exemption only lets one officer or LLC member of the company opt out. It is not a policy and it does not cover a crew.
Ask whether the workers are the roofer's own employees or subcontractors. Florida Statute 440.10 says a contractor must require a subcontractor to provide evidence of workers' compensation, and that a subcontractor with an exempt officer must give the contractor a copy of the exemption certificate. Ask to see them.
Look the license up on MyFloridaLicense.com. Use our guide to how to verify a Florida roofing license for the fields to read.
Workers' comp can be covered by a policy, by one officer's exemption, or by neither. Only the first covers the whole crew.
| Situation | What it means | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| A workers' comp policy | The business has coverage filed with the state. Florida requires it for construction employers with one or more employees. | The certificate of insurance and the state Proof of Coverage database |
| An exemption | One officer or LLC member opted out. That person is not an employee and cannot get workers' comp benefits. In construction, no more than three officers of a corporation or its affiliates may do this, and each must own at least 10 percent. A certificate lasts 2 years and shows its effective and expiration dates. | The paper certificate and the state Exemption Search |
| Neither | A construction employer with one or more employees and no policy is out of step with Florida Chapter 440. | Ask for proof before work starts. You can report suspected cases to the state, see below. |
Florida Statute 440.05 says every exemption certificate must carry a notice that it is not a license issued by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and must point to the state license lookup. A person can hold an exemption without holding a roofing license, so check both.
Keep a copy of each certificate with your contract and permit papers. If the job runs long, ask for a new certificate when a policy renews, and ask for the roofer's license number to be written on the contract so the paper trail all points to one business.
Six things worth a second question before you sign.
The roofer says "fully insured" but will not share a certificate. Florida Statute 489.129(1)(k) lists falsely indicating that workers' compensation and public liability insurance are provided as a reason the licensing board can discipline a contractor.
The certificate shows a different company name than your contract. Ask which business is doing the work.
A policy that ends before the job does leaves the last days uncovered. Ask for a new certificate when the policy renews.
An exemption covers one officer. If a crew is working, ask who covers them. State law says the contractor must require proof of coverage from subcontractors.
Ask the agent to send it directly. It is the cleanest way to know the page is real and current.
A roofer who wants a deposit or signature before you see any paper is asking you to trust before you can check. See our guide to avoiding roofing scams after a Florida storm.
The state can discipline the roofer. Ask before work starts, because that is when you have the most say.
Florida Statute 489.114 says failing to keep workers' compensation coverage is grounds to suspend, revoke or deny a contractor's license. If the Division of Workers' Compensation learns a policy was cancelled, it certifies that to the licensing department, and the contractor must prove compliance and pay a $500 administrative fine. Statute 489.129 lets the board fine a contractor up to $10,000 per violation.
If you think a business is not covered, the Division of Workers' Compensation takes referrals from the public on its non-compliance referral website.
For the full list of questions worth asking, see questions to ask a roofer before hiring, how to tell if a roofer is honest and roofer versus handyman for roof repair. If you want a price check, see how to compare two roof quotes.
This is general information, not legal advice. Your own policy and your own insurer decide how a hired contractor's coverage fits with yours. Ask your insurance agent if you have questions about your policy.
"Josh was especially amazing. He was professional, patient, and took the time to explain everything clearly so I felt comfortable and informed throughout the entire process. You can tell he genuinely cares about his customers and takes pride in his work."Madison T.Roofing customer
"Good communication and did a great job."Rick R.Roofing customer, Florida Gulf Coast
"Highly recommend. Great communication. Great quality of work and very personable. Easy to work with. Will use again for home renovations."Justin S.Roofing customer, Florida Gulf Coast
The state tools we found cover workers' compensation: the Proof of Coverage database and the Exemption Search. We did not find a state database for general liability. For that, rely on the certificate and a call to the insurance agent named on it.
Two years. A certificate issued on or after January 1, 2013 is valid for 2 years after its effective date, and the state must list both the effective and expiration dates on its face. Look at both dates, then check the Exemption Search.
Florida Statute 440.10 says a contractor must require a subcontractor to provide evidence of workers' compensation insurance. If a subcontractor has an exempt officer, the contractor must get a copy of that exemption certificate. Ask the roofer to show you theirs.
Florida Statute 489.114 says the Division of Workers' Compensation certifies the cancellation to the licensing department. The contractor then has to prove compliance and pay a $500 administrative fine. Failure to keep coverage can also be grounds for suspending or revoking the license.
No. Florida Statute 489.127 says a business tax receipt is not a license for purposes of the contractor law, and it says nothing about insurance. A permit shows the work was permitted. Insurance has to be checked with certificates and the state workers' comp database.
Coastline sends a written photo report, so you can see the roof and the plan before you decide. Ask us anything on this page, and check our license yourself.
Leave your name and number. We typically call back the same day during business hours. Consent to texts is not required.
