Class Code 5551: The Florida Roofing Rate Explained
NCCI Class Code 5551 Roofing — 2026 FWCJUA Rate $6.752 per $100 Payroll — Florida's Highest Common Construction Rate
NCCI class code 5551 covers all types of roofing work — shingles, tile, flat roofing, metal roofing, and roof repairs. The 2026 FWCJUA rate for code 5551 in Florida is $6.752 per $100 of payroll, making it one of the most expensive common construction codes in the state.
| Company Size | Annual Payroll | Base Premium | Monthly (PEO) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 roofers | $90,000 | $6,077 | $506 |
| 5 roofers | $225,000 | $15,192 | $1,266 |
| 10 roofers | $450,000 | $30,384 | $2,532 |
| 20 roofers | $900,000 | $60,768 | $5,064 |
Base premium at $6.752/$100. Add state surcharges (3–6%) and PEO admin fee. No deposit through PEO program.
Why Roofing Is Hard to Place — And How PEO Solves It
Roofing Workers Comp Hard to Place — FWCJUA Assigned Risk Surcharge, Standard Carrier Declines, PEO Solution
Roofing is consistently the hardest industry to place for workers' comp in Florida. Most standard carriers have automatic decline rules for roofing contractors — particularly those with fewer than 5 years of loss history, high EMod factors, or operations that include commercial roofing at heights above 3 stories.
When standard carriers decline, the only option is the Florida Workers' Compensation Joint Underwriting Association (FWCJUA) — the state's assigned risk plan. The FWCJUA adds a 30–50% surcharge on top of the base rate, bringing the effective rate for a roofing company to $8.78–$10.13 per $100 of payroll. For a company with $500,000 in payroll, that's $43,900–$50,650 per year versus $33,760 through a PEO.
PEO workers' comp avoids the FWCJUA surcharge entirely because the PEO's group policy is not subject to the assigned risk plan. This is the primary financial reason roofing contractors choose PEO coverage over traditional policies.
Getting a Same-Day COI for Roofing Work
Roofing Certificate of Insurance Same Day — How to Get a Workers Comp COI Fast for a New Roofing Contract
Submit Your Quote (2 Minutes)
Complete the online form with your business name, number of roofers, and estimated annual payroll. No detailed loss runs required for initial enrollment.
Underwriting Review (Same Day)
Comp Ninjas reviews your application and confirms eligibility. For most roofing companies, this takes 2–4 hours during business hours.
Sign Co-Employment Agreement
You sign the PEO co-employment agreement electronically. This takes 10–15 minutes.
COI Issued (Same Business Day)
Your certificate of insurance is emailed to you and your GC or property owner the same business day. The COI lists the correct class code (5551), effective date, and certificate holder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NCCI class code 5551?
NCCI class code 5551 is the standard workers' compensation classification for roofing contractors — specifically those who install, repair, or replace roofing materials including shingles, tiles, flat roofing systems, and metal roofing. It is one of the highest-rated class codes in the NCCI system because roofing has one of the highest injury and fatality rates of any construction trade. The 2026 FWCJUA rate for code 5551 in Florida is $6.752 per $100 of payroll.
Why is roofing workers comp so expensive?
Roofing consistently ranks among the top 5 most dangerous occupations in the United States. Falls from roofs are the leading cause of construction fatalities in Florida. OSHA data shows that roofers suffer fatal injuries at a rate approximately 3x the average construction worker. The high injury rate is directly reflected in the NCCI class code rate — $6.75/$100 payroll for code 5551 compared to $2.97/$100 for electrical work (5190) or $3.00/$100 for HVAC (5537).
How much does workers comp cost for a roofing company in Florida?
Using the 2026 FWCJUA rate of $6.752/$100 payroll for class code 5551, a roofing company with 5 workers earning $45,000 each ($225,000 total payroll) would have a base premium of approximately $15,192 per year. Through a PEO, there is no deposit and no annual audit. The FWCJUA assigned risk plan adds a 30–50% surcharge on top of this base rate, making PEO coverage 30–50% cheaper for roofing companies that have been declined by standard carriers.
Can I get workers comp for roofing with no deposit?
Yes. PEO workers' comp has no deposit requirement. Traditional roofing workers' comp policies require a deposit of 25–33% of estimated annual premium — which for a mid-size roofing company can be $3,800–$7,600 or more upfront. PEO billing is based on actual payroll each period, so you pay as you go with no large upfront cost.
How do I get a certificate of insurance for roofing the same day?
Through Comp Ninjas' PEO program, roofing contractors can receive a certificate of insurance the same business day they enroll. General contractors, property owners, and commercial clients require a current COI before allowing roofing work to begin. The enrollment process takes 24–48 hours and COI issuance is immediate upon policy activation. This is critical for roofing companies that win a bid and need to start work immediately.
What is the difference between class codes 5551, 5552, and 5553?
Code 5551 is the general roofing contractor code covering all types of roofing work. Code 5552 is specifically for shingle roofing (asphalt and fiberglass shingles), which is slightly lower risk and carries a slightly lower rate. Code 5553 is for metal roofing, which carries a slightly higher rate due to the additional hazards of working with metal panels. Most Florida roofing contractors are classified under 5551 unless they exclusively perform shingle or metal work.
Do I need workers comp for subcontractors on my roofing jobs?
If your subcontractors do not have their own workers' comp coverage, you may be liable for injuries they sustain on your job site under Florida's statutory employer doctrine. You should always obtain certificates of insurance from all subcontractors before they begin work. If a subcontractor cannot provide a COI, you should either require them to get coverage or add them to your own policy. PEO programs can cover subcontractors who are brought on as co-employees.
What is a workers comp ghost policy for roofing?
A workers' comp ghost policy is a policy issued to a sole proprietor who has elected to exclude themselves from coverage. The policy has a premium (usually a minimum premium of $1,000–$2,000) but provides no actual coverage because the only person on the policy has opted out. Ghost policies are used by roofing contractors who need to show a COI to get on a GC's approved vendor list but want to avoid paying full premium. They are legal but provide no actual protection — if a worker is injured, there is no coverage.