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Florida’s insurance mandate arrives through the subsidy program, not the licence. Licensing under § 402.305 does not itself demand liability insurance — but any provider in the School Readiness program must carry $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate under § 1002.88, and most Florida centers take subsidy children. In practice, the coverage is the price of the revenue.
One policy, priced for a Florida daycare
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What Florida Actually Requires
| Coverage | Florida requirement |
|---|---|
| General liability (School Readiness providers) | $100,000 per occurrence / $300,000 aggregate — Fla. Stat. § 1002.88 |
| General liability (licence only) | Not a § 402.305 licensing condition — but landlords and boards require it |
| Lower limits | The department may authorize lower limits on request |
Why Almost Every Florida Center Ends Up Covered
School Readiness reimbursement is a large share of enrollment revenue for most Florida centers, and § 1002.88 conditions participation on holding the $100,000 / $300,000 policy. Skip the coverage and you are not just uninsured — you are locked out of the families whose care is paid through the early learning coalition. Budget the premium as part of the subsidy economics, not as an optional extra.
The Coverages Every Daycare Carries Regardless
- General liability with abuse & molestation coverage. The playground injury and the allegation are different claims; a daycare policy without A&M cover is missing the exposure the business is actually judged on.
- Commercial auto if you transport children — a personal policy excludes business use.
- Workers’ compensation once you employ staff.
- Property and contents for the build-out, equipment and food stock.
Parents ask if you’re insured. So do licensors.
A certificate of insurance answers both in one page. Quotes are free and don’t require a phone call.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is liability insurance required to license a daycare in Florida?
Not by the licensing statute itself — § 402.305 sets staffing, screening and facility standards without an insurance clause. The mandate arrives through § 1002.88: School Readiness providers must carry $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate, and most licensed centers participate.
How much liability coverage does a Florida School Readiness provider need?
A minimum of $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 general aggregate, under Fla. Stat. § 1002.88. The department may authorize lower limits on request, as appropriate.
Comparing states? See daycare insurance requirements in every state, or the full guide to starting a daycare in Florida.
Sources
| Source | What it confirms |
|---|---|
| Fla. Stat. § 1002.88 | $100k/$300k School Readiness provider requirement |
| Fla. Stat. § 402.305 | Licensing standards |
