Workers Comp Class Code 5552 — Roofing — Shingles & Composition Tiles
Florida NCCI Workers Comp Classification
FL NCCI Rate
$6.75
per $100 of payroll
Same-Day COI
Available
through PEO program
For code 5552, a worker earning $800/week costs just $54.02/week in workers comp through our PEO program.
FL NCCI Rate
$6.75/$100
per $100 payroll
Risk Level
High
NCCI classification
Same-Day COI
Available
through PEO program
Approval Time
24–48 hrs
most industries
What Is Workers Comp Class Code 5552?
NCCI class code 5552 covers Roofing — Shingles & Composition Tiles in Florida. This classification is used by workers' compensation carriers to determine premium rates based on the relative injury risk of workers in this occupation. The Florida NCCI rate for code 5552 is $6.75 per $100 of payroll, placing it in the high-risk tier.
Covers roofers specializing in asphalt shingles and composition tiles — the most common residential roofing in Florida. At $6.75/$100 (2026 FWCJUA), a roofer earning $800/week costs $54/week in workers comp.
Because code 5552 is a construction classification, Florida law requires workers' compensation coverage from the first employee. Construction employers cannot use the 4-employee threshold that applies to non-construction businesses.
What Does This Rate Mean in Real Dollars?
At $6.75/$100 (2026 FWCJUA), a roofer earning $800/week costs $54/week. Annual cost for $200,000 payroll: ~$13,504.
Rate History — Code 5552
5-Year Rate Trend
Code 5552 — Florida NCCI rates
Source: Florida NCCI rate filings 2020–2024
Florida NCCI rates for code 5552 have decreased from $8.10 to $6.75 over the past 5 years — a positive trend for employers.
Why PEO Makes Sense for Code 5552
No deposit. No audit. Same-day COI.
Shingle roofing contractors are frequently declined by traditional carriers. PEO is often the only affordable option — no deposit, same-day COI, pay only for actual payroll.
No Deposit
Pay as you go each week
No Audit
Premium based on actual payroll
Same-Day COI
Instant certificate issuance
📋 Real-World Example
A shingle roofing crew of 6 in Pinellas County replacing roofs after a storm. A worker falls 12 feet and breaks his hip — $95,000 claim for surgery and rehabilitation.
Common Job Titles Under Code 5552
Top Workers Comp Risks for Code 5552
The NCCI rate for this classification reflects the frequency and severity of workers' compensation claims historically filed by workers in this occupation. The primary risks include:
Florida Workers Comp Requirements for Code 5552
Florida Statute Chapter 440 governs workers' compensation requirements. For construction employers classified under code 5552, coverage is required with 1 or more employees — including the business owner unless a valid exemption is on file with the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation.
The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation conducts random job site inspections and can issue an immediate stop-work order if coverage is not current. The penalty is equal to twice the amount of premium that should have been paid, plus $1,000 per day per employee while uninsured.
OSHA Standards That Apply to Code 5552
Workers in this classification are subject to the following OSHA standards. Violations of these standards are the most common triggers for workers' compensation claims in this trade.
29 CFR 1926.501
Duty to have fall protection (Subpart M): Requires fall protection for employees working 6 feet or more above lower levels; on steep roofs (slope > 4:12) shingle crews must use guardrails with toeboards, safety nets, or a personal fall arrest system (PFAS).
29 CFR 1926.502
Fall protection systems criteria and practices: Sets the performance criteria for PFAS, including 5,000‑lb anchorage strength per employee (or equivalent by a qualified person), proper lifelines, and guardrail specifications; slide guards alone do not meet Subpart M for steep‑slope shingle work.
29 CFR 1926.503
Training requirements: Employers must train each roofer exposed to fall hazards on recognizing risks and correctly using PFAS, roof brackets, and lifelines, and must maintain written certification of that training.
29 CFR 1926.1053
Ladders (Subpart X): Extension ladders must extend at least 3 feet above the roof edge, be set at a 4:1 angle, secured against movement, and used so workers maintain three points of contact and do not carry loads that could cause loss of balance.
29 CFR 1926.302(b)
Pneumatic power tools: Regulates air nailers used for shingles—tools must have an operable contact safety device, air hoses need safety clips at connections, and workers must use eye/face protection per 1926.102.
Florida Stop-Work Order Cases — Code 5552
The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation (DFS) actively enforces coverage requirements. Below are representative enforcement cases involving businesses classified under code 5552.
2024 — Miami-Dade County: DFS issued a Stop-Work Order at a Hialeah two‑story shingle tear‑off where six uninsured roofers were on the roof and paid in cash. Investigators documented 10 uninsured workdays and estimated $19,800 in avoided premium. Penalty assessed: $99,600 total ($60,000 at $1,000/day/employee plus $39,600 = twice the unpaid premium).
2022 — Polk County: A Lakeland residential re‑roof had four 5552 workers on a steep‑slope without workers’ comp; payroll logs showed 18 uninsured days and 1099 payments to a labor‑only crew with no COIs. Avoided premium was estimated at $15,400. Penalty assessed: $102,800 total ($72,000 daily penalty plus $30,800 = 2x unpaid premium).
2021 — Lee County: DFS visited a Cape Coral subdivision where eight shingle installers were mid tear‑off on multiple homes with no active policy. Records indicated seven uninsured workdays and $22,500 in avoided premium. Penalty assessed: $101,000 total ($56,000 daily penalty plus $45,000 = 2x unpaid premium).
Source: Florida DFS enforcement records. Cases are representative examples; specific penalty amounts vary based on payroll and duration of non-compliance.
Why Standard Carriers Decline Code 5552
Many standard insurance carriers restrict or decline coverage for businesses classified under code 5552. Understanding these declination triggers helps you find the right coverage path.
Steep‑slope residential tear‑offs (greater than 4:12 pitch) with frequent ladder-to-roof transitions and work above two stories—many admitted carriers cap roof height/story count or exclude steep‑slope, leading to decline or heavy surcharge for 5552.
High reliance on 1099 shingle crews or uninsured subs without strict certificate/hold‑harmless controls—underwriting treats these as employee exposure and will often decline due to unmanageable labor‑only subcontractor risk.
Lack of a written, enforceable fall‑protection program (per Subpart M) and no documented PFAS training/anchorage plan—carriers view this as a predictor of severe falls and reject the account.
Adverse loss history or prior DFS Stop‑Work Orders, gaps in coverage, or an elevated EMR (e.g., >1.25) from falls, nail‑gun injuries, or lifting strains—standard markets will non‑renew or decline and push the risk to E&S/PEO solutions.
Common Workers Comp Audit Mistakes for Code 5552
Year-end workers comp audits frequently result in unexpected additional premiums for businesses classified under code 5552. These are the most common audit mistakes to avoid.
Paying 1099 shingle crews without collecting valid, current workers’ comp certificates; at audit the carrier includes 100% of those payments as 5552 payroll, often retroactively for the entire policy term.
Classifying working owners/foremen/estimators to 5606 (construction executive supervisors) even though they climb roofs for inspections or help on tear‑offs; without contemporaneous time records, all their wages are reassigned to 5552.
Trying to split out drivers and yard/warehouse staff into separate codes (e.g., drivers NOC) when they support the roofing operation; for 5552, drivers and material handlers are included, so auditors pull that payroll back into 5552.
Not tracking the excludable overtime premium and per‑diem properly; missing records cause auditors to include the full overtime rate and any non‑accountable daily cash allowances as remuneration under 5552, inflating final premium.
Experience Mod (EMR) & PEO Advantage
Shingle roofing claims skew toward high‑severity falls from roofs/ladders and frequent smaller losses like nail‑gun punctures and lifting strains. Because NCCI’s experience mod is highly sensitive to claim frequency, a few minor injuries—or one severe fall—can drive a 5552 contractor’s EMR above 1.00 for up to three policy years. A PEO focused on roofing can help by enforcing Subpart M fall‑protection practices, fast injury triage and return‑to‑work, and tighter sub/1099 controls to reduce both the number and cost of claims, stabilizing your mod and premium.
Frequently Asked Questions — Code 5552
What is the workers comp rate for class code 5552 in Florida?
The Florida NCCI rate for class code 5552 (Roofing — Shingles & Composition Tiles) is $6.75 per $100 of payroll. For a business with $150,000 in annual payroll, the estimated annual workers comp cost is $10,128.
Can I get same-day workers comp coverage for class code 5552?
Yes. Through Comp Ninjas's PEO program, most businesses classified under code 5552 can be approved and receive a Certificate of Insurance (COI) within 24–48 hours. Same-day COI issuance is available in most cases once your application is complete.
Is class code 5552 considered high-risk in Florida?
Code 5552 is classified as high-risk based on its NCCI rate of $6.75 per $100 of payroll. This rate is above 5%, which means standard carriers may decline coverage or require large deposits. Our PEO program specializes in covering high-risk classifications that standard carriers decline.
What is the difference between a PEO and a traditional workers comp policy for code 5552?
A traditional policy for code 5552 requires an upfront deposit (typically 25–35% of annual premium), a year-end audit, and a minimum payroll requirement. Our PEO pay-as-you-go program calculates premium on actual payroll each cycle — no deposit, no audit, no minimum. For a business with $150,000 in annual payroll under code 5552, the annual cost would be approximately $10,128.
How do I switch to a PEO program if I already have a workers comp policy for code 5552?
You can switch at any time — you don't need to wait for your current policy to expire. We handle the transition and coordinate with your current carrier to avoid any coverage gaps. Most clients are enrolled and covered within 24–48 hours of submitting their application.
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