— CONTRACTOR INSURANCE • HOA APPROVAL
Before a water-treatment installation, verify the company—not just the equipment.
A good system recommendation is only part of a responsible installation. Confirm the company’s insurance—and if you live in an HOA, check the community’s approval requirements before exterior work begins.
- Request a current certificate of insurance showing general liability.
- Confirm workers' compensation coverage—or independently verify a valid exemption when one lawfully applies.
- Match the insured business name and policy dates to the company performing the work.
- If you live in an HOA, check the declaration and published architectural guidelines for exterior equipment requirements.
- Obtain the required written approval before installation, and save every document.
General liability and workers' compensation solve different problems
May respond when the company's work causes covered bodily injury or property damage to someone else. Coverage depends on the actual policy, limits, exclusions and facts of the claim.
Addresses covered work-related injuries to employees. It is not replaced by a general-liability policy.
Florida's Department of Financial Services tells consumers to request evidence of both general liability and workers' compensation coverage. Its residential-contractor guidance says contractors are required to carry general liability and property-damage liability insurance and workers' compensation unless they qualify for an exemption.
A certificate is evidence of coverage on the date issued; it is not the full policy and does not expand coverage. Check the named insured, effective dates, insurer and coverage shown. An HOA or property manager may ask to be listed as the certificate holder or request an agent-issued certificate.
An exemption is not an insurance policy
Florida permits qualifying corporate officers and LLC members to apply for a workers' compensation exemption. The state explains that an exempt person is not treated as an employee for workers' compensation purposes and may not recover workers' compensation benefits.
A company may have active coverage, a lawful exemption or a coverage problem. The homeowner should ask for the document and verify it through Florida's official workers' compensation resources instead of accepting “I'm the owner, so I don't need it” as the complete answer.
When you live in an HOA, check before installing exterior equipment
No. Florida law does not create one blanket approval requirement for every water-treatment installation. Under section 720.3035, an HOA's architectural authority must come from the declaration of covenants or authorized published guidelines and standards.
Outdoor tanks, covers, plumbing, drains, screening, placement and paint color may affect the exterior appearance of a home and can fall within a community's review rules. Before scheduling work, ask the HOA or architectural committee for the applicable requirement and a written determination. If approval is required, wait for written approval.
A contractor can reasonably question whether a rule applies. The responsible path is to request clarification in writing—not to tell the homeowner to hide the installation or hope nobody notices.
Warning signs that should stop the job
A contractor encourages the homeowner to bypass a documented approval requirement instead of resolving it.
The sales pitch depends on avoiding inspection rather than confirming compliance.
The company refuses to provide current insurance evidence or says a verbal promise should be enough.
The certificate identifies a different business, expired coverage or a scope that deserves clarification from the agent.
The company claims general liability automatically covers worker injuries or treats a workers' compensation exemption as insurance.
Equipment arrives before required approvals or insurance documents are confirmed.
What homeowners should request
- Insurance evidence
A current certificate showing general liability and workers' compensation, or the information needed to verify an applicable exemption.
- Written scope
Equipment, plumbing route, drain, electrical needs, exterior location, covers or jackets, screening and restoration.
- Community determination
The applicable architectural rule and written approval when the governing documents require it.
- Final record
Keep the approval, certificate, proposal, warranty, payment record and photographs of the completed installation.
Should a company publish its policy numbers?
No. A company can state that it carries general liability and workers' compensation and that certificates are available upon request. Actual policy numbers and full certificates should be shared privately with customers, HOAs and property managers who need them. Publicly posting those identifiers creates unnecessary impersonation and fraud risk.
The bottom line
Insurance and community approval are not paperwork to work around. They are part of a professional installation. The right standard is simple: document the company, document the work, follow the community's valid written process and do not begin until the required pieces are in place.
That standard should apply to every company—including any company affiliated with the publisher of this article.
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Published September 29, 2026 · No corrections posted.
Florida Tap Report and Florida Premier Water Systems have common ownership. This consumer guide applies the same verification standard to every company, including affiliated companies. It provides general information, not legal or insurance advice.