If you're opening a chiropractic practice in Florida—or you're already running one—you need to know exactly which insurance policies the state requires and which ones just make good business sense. The difference matters, because skipping mandatory coverage can cost you your license, while neglecting recommended policies can cost you your business.
Florida has specific insurance requirements for chiropractors that go beyond general business insurance. Whether you're a solo practitioner or managing a clinic with multiple providers, understanding these requirements will help you stay compliant, protect your assets, and focus on patient care instead of worrying about liability exposure.
Professional Liability Insurance: The Non-Negotiable Requirement
Here's what most chiropractors don't realize until they're renewing their license: Florida doesn't just recommend professional liability insurance—it requires it. Under Florida Statute 460.4167, you must maintain malpractice coverage with minimum limits of $100,000 per claim and $300,000 annual aggregate. This isn't optional. No coverage means no license renewal.
The good news? You have options for how to meet this requirement. You can purchase traditional malpractice insurance from an authorized insurer, join a risk retention group, establish a self-insurance plan, or provide an irrevocable letter of credit for the required amounts. Most chiropractors go the traditional insurance route because it's simpler and often more affordable than managing self-insurance or securing letters of credit.
This coverage protects you when a patient claims your treatment caused harm or failed to meet the standard of care. Whether it's an allegation of improper spinal manipulation, failure to diagnose a contraindication, or injury during an adjustment, professional liability insurance covers your legal defense and any settlement or judgment up to your policy limits. Without it, you're personally liable for these costs, which can easily reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.
There are limited exemptions. If you practice exclusively as an employee of the State of Florida, or if you hold an active license but aren't currently practicing in Florida, you can apply to the Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine for an exemption. For everyone else, this coverage is mandatory.
Workers' Compensation: When Your Team Grows
If you're a solo practitioner with no employees, you can skip this section for now. But the moment you hire your fourth employee—whether that's a chiropractic assistant, office manager, or another provider—Florida law requires you to carry workers' compensation insurance.
The four-employee threshold includes everyone: full-time staff, part-time workers, seasonal employees, and temporary hires. It also includes corporate officers and LLC members unless they've filed for a formal exemption. So if you're structured as a corporation with three employees plus yourself as an officer who hasn't exempted yourself, you've hit the threshold and need coverage.
Workers' comp covers medical expenses and lost wages if an employee gets injured on the job. In a chiropractic practice, that could mean anything from a staff member straining their back while helping transfer a patient, to slipping on a wet floor in the treatment room, to repetitive stress injuries from administrative work. The coverage protects both your employees and your business—without it, you could face lawsuits from injured workers plus penalties from the state.
Here's some welcome news for 2026: Florida approved a 6.9% decrease in workers' compensation premium rates, marking the ninth consecutive year of rate reductions. This makes coverage more affordable than ever, so if you've been putting off hiring that fourth team member because of insurance costs, the financial barrier just got lower.
General Liability and Commercial Property: The Practical Necessities
While Florida doesn't legally require general liability insurance for chiropractors, your landlord almost certainly does. Most commercial lease agreements mandate general liability coverage before you can sign the lease or open your doors. This coverage protects against third-party injuries and property damage—think slip-and-fall accidents in your waiting room, a patient tripping over equipment, or accidentally damaging the building during renovations.
Commercial property insurance protects your physical assets: your adjustment tables, diagnostic equipment, computers, patient records, furniture, and supplies. If a hurricane damages your clinic, a fire destroys your equipment, or thieves break in and steal your computers, this coverage pays to replace or repair your property. One important caveat for Florida practitioners: flood damage typically requires a separate flood insurance policy, which is worth considering given Florida's geography and weather patterns.
Most chiropractors bundle these two coverages into a Business Owner's Policy, or BOP. A BOP combines general liability and commercial property insurance at a discount compared to buying them separately. The average cost runs about $55 per month for chiropractic offices, making it one of the most cost-effective insurance investments you can make. For less than the cost of adjusting two patients, you get comprehensive protection for your practice space and operations.
Additional Coverage to Consider
Beyond the core requirements, several other insurance types might apply to your practice. If you own or operate vehicles for business purposes—say you offer mobile chiropractic services or use a vehicle to pick up supplies—Florida law requires commercial auto insurance. Personal auto policies don't cover business use, and driving without proper coverage can leave you personally liable for accidents.
If you're offering telehealth services—which became increasingly common during and after the pandemic—you need to verify that your professional liability coverage extends to virtual care. Florida requires chiropractors providing telehealth to patients in the state to maintain liability coverage equal to or greater than the standard in-person requirements. Most modern policies include this, but it's worth confirming with your insurer.
Cyber liability insurance is another coverage worth considering in 2026. If you store patient records electronically (and who doesn't?), a data breach could expose you to significant liability under HIPAA and Florida's patient privacy laws. Cyber policies cover the costs of breach notification, credit monitoring for affected patients, legal fees, and regulatory fines. Given that healthcare practices are prime targets for cyberattacks, this coverage is becoming less optional and more essential.
How to Get Started with Your Coverage
Start with the mandatory coverage: professional liability insurance at the required minimums of $100,000/$300,000. Shop around and get quotes from multiple insurers who specialize in healthcare professional liability. Rates can vary significantly based on your practice location, years of experience, claims history, and the specific treatments you offer.
Next, assess whether you need workers' compensation. Count your employees carefully, including yourself if you're a corporate officer who hasn't filed for exemption. If you're at or approaching four employees, get quotes now. Don't wait until you hire that fourth person and then scramble to find coverage, especially since some policies have waiting periods before coverage begins.
Finally, talk to an insurance agent who understands chiropractic practices. They can help you bundle coverage into a BOP, identify gaps in your protection, and ensure you're meeting both legal requirements and practical business needs. The goal is comprehensive coverage that protects your practice without paying for redundant policies or coverage you don't need.
Insurance might not be the most exciting part of running a chiropractic practice, but it's one of the most important. The right coverage keeps you compliant with Florida law, protects your personal assets, and gives you peace of mind to focus on what you do best: helping patients feel better. Take the time to get it right from the start, and you'll save yourself headaches down the road.
