Quick answer
In Missouri, most businesses must carry workers' compensation once they have 5 or more employees, while construction businesses need it with 1 employee. General liability isn't required by state law for most businesses, but clients and landlords commonly require it. The national median for general liability is $45 a month (Insureon, 2026).
Key facts
- Workers' comp (most businesses)
- Required at 5+ employees
- Workers' comp (construction)
- Required at 1+ employee
- General liability
- Not required by state law for most businesses
- National median GL cost
- $45/month (Insureon, 2026)
- Insurance regulator
- Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance
On this page 9 sections
Workers' comp in Missouri: Required with 5 or more employees (1+ in construction). Compare all states.
Official sources: Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance · Missouri Division of Workers' Compensation
Coverage a Missouri needs
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Workers' compensation Essential
Employee medical bills and lost wages after a work injury or illness, plus employer's liability.
Mandatory at 5+ employees, or 1+ in construction.
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General liability Essential
Third-party bodily injury, third-party property damage, and advertising injury.
Clients, landlords and general contractors usually require it.
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Business owner's policy Recommended
General liability plus commercial property, usually with business interruption, in one package.
Protects your building, equipment and inventory with liability in one policy.
-
Commercial auto Recommended
Vehicles owned by your business, including liability and physical damage.
Business vehicles need commercial coverage.
Is business insurance required in Missouri?
Missouri's main legal insurance requirement for businesses is workers' compensation, and the threshold depends on your industry. Other coverage is usually required by contracts:
- Clients and general contractors commonly require general liability and proof of workers' comp from subcontractors.
- Commercial landlords usually require general liability in the lease.
- Local licensing may include insurance requirements for some trades; check with your city or county.
- Vehicles registered in Missouri need auto insurance, and business-owned vehicles should be on a commercial policy.
So general liability isn't required by Missouri law for most businesses, but it's a standard requirement for getting work.
Workers' compensation in Missouri
Missouri requires workers' compensation for:
- Most businesses with 5 or more employees.
- Construction businesses with 1 or more employees.
If you're below the threshold, you can still buy coverage voluntarily, and many small businesses do because a single workplace injury can lead to large medical bills and lawsuits. General contractors frequently require subcontractors to show coverage even when the law doesn't.
Missouri is not a monopolistic state; coverage comes from private insurers. The Missouri Division of Workers' Compensation administers the system and can answer questions about who must be covered.
What else Missouri business owners should know
- Construction has a lower threshold. Because construction employers must cover even 1 employee, Missouri contractors should arrange workers' comp before the first hire, not after reaching 5 employees.
- Severe weather. Hail, wind and storms can damage buildings and equipment. Review property deductibles and business interruption coverage in any BOP quote.
- Owners and officers. Rules for whether owners and corporate officers count toward the employee total, or can be excluded, are specific. Confirm your situation with the Division of Workers' Compensation.
- Working in Kansas or Illinois. Businesses in Kansas City or St. Louis often work across state lines. Ask your insurer how coverage applies to out-of-state work.
How much does business insurance cost in Missouri?
We don't publish a Missouri-specific median, because reliable state-level price data isn't publicly available. What we can share are national medians. According to Insureon's 2026 data from 100,000 small-business customers (most with 1–4 employees):
| Policy | National median |
|---|---|
| General liability | $45/month ($538/year) |
| Business owner's policy (BOP) | $83/month ($990/year) |
| Professional liability / E&O | $88/month |
| Workers' compensation | $54/month |
| Commercial umbrella | $86/month |
| Cyber insurance | $129/month |
Prices in Missouri can be higher or lower than these figures. Weather exposure and your location within the state can affect property premiums in Missouri. Your own quote depends on your industry, payroll, revenue, number of employees, claims history, the limits and deductible you choose, and where in the state you operate. Riskier work costs more: Insureon's construction customers, for example, pay a median of $82 a month for general liability and $254 a month for workers' comp, compared with $29 and $40 for consultants. Use our business insurance cost calculator for a rough national estimate, then get real quotes.
How to verify requirements and coverage in Missouri
- Check workers' comp rules with the state. The Missouri Division of Workers' Compensation is the authority on who must carry coverage, exemptions and penalties. Our workers' comp requirements by state table is a starting point, not a substitute.
- Check your license. If your trade is licensed in Missouri, the licensing board can tell you whether proof of liability insurance, a bond or workers' comp is part of getting or renewing your license.
- Read your contracts and lease. Clients, general contractors, venues and landlords set their own minimums, often $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate for general liability, and may ask to be named as an additional insured.
- Confirm the insurer is licensed. The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance regulates insurance companies and agents in Missouri. You can use its website to check that an insurer or agent is licensed and to file a complaint.
- Keep proof handy. Ask for a certificate of insurance (COI) as soon as your policy starts so you can send it to clients quickly.
How to get Missouri Business Insurance Requirements
- Count employees and check your industry
Most Missouri businesses need workers' comp at 5 employees; construction businesses need it at 1.
- Review contract requirements
Check leases and client contracts for liability limits and additional insured wording.
- Assess property and vehicles
Decide whether a BOP or commercial auto policy fits your operations.
- Compare quotes
Compare quotes from Missouri-licensed insurers or agents.
- Get certificates
Request certificates of insurance for clients and landlords.
Frequently asked questions
Is general liability insurance required in Missouri?
Missouri law doesn't require general liability for most businesses. In practice, clients, landlords and general contractors usually require it, often at $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate. Some local licenses may also ask for proof of insurance.
How many employees before workers' comp is required in Missouri?
Most Missouri businesses must carry workers' compensation once they have 5 or more employees. Construction businesses must carry it with 1 or more employees. Confirm details, including how owners and officers are counted, with the Missouri Division of Workers' Compensation.
Do Missouri contractors need workers' comp?
Yes, construction businesses in Missouri need workers' compensation with just 1 employee. General contractors also commonly require subcontractors to show a certificate of insurance for workers' comp and general liability before starting a job.
How much does business insurance cost in Missouri?
We don't publish a Missouri-specific median. Nationally, Insureon's 2026 data shows a median of $45 a month for general liability, $83 for a business owner's policy and $54 for workers' comp. Your Missouri premium depends on your industry, payroll, location and claims history.
Can I buy workers' comp in Missouri with fewer than 5 employees?
Yes. Businesses below the threshold can buy workers' comp voluntarily. Many do because it protects against costly injury lawsuits and because clients and general contractors often require it regardless of the legal threshold.
Who regulates insurance in Missouri?
The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance regulates insurers and agents, and the Division of Workers' Compensation oversees workers' comp. Use these agencies to check rules or confirm that an insurer is licensed in Missouri.
Sources
- Insureon — Small business insurance costs (2026)
- MoneyGeek — Workers' comp requirements by state (2026)
- Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance
- U.S. Small Business Administration — Get business insurance
We cite official agencies and published industry data. See our editorial policy. Found an error? Tell us.
This guide is general information, not insurance, legal or financial advice. Coverage, exclusions and prices vary by insurer and state. Always read the policy and ask a licensed agent before you buy.