In Missouri you can get workers comp three ways: from a private insurer licensed in the state, through a state-approved self-insurance program if you are large enough, or through the assigned-risk plan if no regular carrier will take you. Most small businesses simply buy from a private insurer, and because of the backup plan, no one who needs coverage is left without an option.
Who this is for: Missouri owners buying workers comp for the first time, or business owners who have been turned down and need a path to coverage.
The short version
- Missouri has a private, competitive market, so private insurers compete for your business.
- Larger employers can apply to self-insure with the Division's approval.
- If carriers turn you down, the assigned-risk plan guarantees coverage.
- Missouri has no state fund; Missouri Employers Mutual became a private company in 2025.
- Having payroll, your business type, and claims history ready speeds up a quote.
Your three paths to coverage
Almost every owner uses the first path. The others exist for large employers and for hard-to-place businesses.
| Path | Who it fits | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Private insurer | The vast majority of businesses | Buy a policy from any carrier licensed in Missouri, ideally after shopping a few |
| Self-insurance | Large or well-capitalized employers | Apply to the Division for approval to pay claims directly, alone or in a group |
| Assigned-risk plan | Businesses carriers decline | Guaranteed coverage through the state plan, serviced by Travelers |
What you need to get a quote
You will get a faster, more accurate quote if you gather a few things first: your payroll broken out by role, your business type and how it is set up, any owner elections you plan to make, and your claims history from the past few years. The kind of work each person does matters, because it sets the category your work falls into for pricing. Getting those roles right up front keeps the quote accurate and keeps you from overpaying later.
If you have been turned down
Being declined by a private carrier does not leave you stuck. Missouri's assigned-risk plan is the market of last resort, and it guarantees coverage for employers that cannot buy it in the open market. NCCI administers the plan, and the servicing carrier is Travelers Commercial Casualty Company. If you have no employees yet but a client or general contractor still demands proof of coverage, a policy written to assume no employee payroll, sometimes called a ghost policy, can satisfy that requirement. We can help you find the right fit before you resort to the assigned-risk plan.
A landscaping example
Illustrative, not a quote. A landscaping company in Blue Springs with a rough claims history gets declined by two private carriers. Rather than give up, the owner works with us to place the business, and if the open market still says no, the assigned-risk plan guarantees a policy so the crew is covered and the company can keep bidding jobs that require proof of coverage. As the claims history improves, we move the business back to the private market at a better price. See our workers comp for landscapers page.
Real questions Missouri owners ask
How do I get workers comp in Missouri?
Three ways: buy from a private insurer licensed in the state, apply to self-insure if you are large enough, or use the assigned-risk plan if carriers decline you. Most businesses simply buy a private policy.
Does Missouri have a state workers comp fund?
No. Missouri has a private, competitive market with no state fund. Missouri Employers Mutual, once a state-created insurer, became a fully private company in 2025, so you buy from private carriers.
What if no carrier will insure my Missouri business?
You use the assigned-risk plan, Missouri's market of last resort, which guarantees coverage. NCCI administers it and Travelers Commercial Casualty Company services the policies.
What do I need to get a workers comp quote?
Have your payroll by role, your business type, any owner elections, and your claims history from recent years ready. The kind of work each person does sets the pricing category, so accurate roles matter.
Can I self-insure workers comp in Missouri?
Yes, if you are large or well-capitalized enough and the Division approves you. You can self-insure alone or as part of an approved group. Most small businesses buy a policy instead.
I have no employees but a client wants proof. What can I buy?
A policy written to assume no employee payroll, sometimes called a ghost policy, can give you proof of coverage to satisfy a client or general contractor even though you have no staff to cover.
How fast can I get covered in Missouri?
Often the same day for a straightforward business once we have your payroll and details. Hard-to-place risks take longer, but the assigned-risk plan ensures you can still get covered.
Why Missouri owners choose Morrow
- We shop the right market for you. In Missouri you buy workers' comp on the open, competitive market from any private insurer licensed in the state, because Missouri has no state fund after Missouri Employers Mutual became a fully private company in 2025, and if no private carrier will take you, the insurer-of-last-resort pool run by NCCI and serviced by Travelers is the guaranteed backstop, so we can shop your rate freely and still have a fallback for hard-to-place work.
- We catch pricing mistakes. Your price depends heavily on the category your work falls into for pricing (the class code). Put people in the wrong category and you overpay for years. We review your payroll and classifications before you buy.
- Proof of coverage, fast. Need a certificate (proof of coverage) for a general contractor or a landlord before Monday? We turn those around the same business day for most carriers.
- We help lower the score that drives your price. Insurers give you a score based on your past claims that raises or lowers your cost (the experience modification rate). We review it each year, flag errors, and connect you with return-to-work and safety resources that bring it down.
- Real people when a claim happens. When someone gets hurt, we stay involved through the life of the claim, not just at renewal.
Related Missouri guides
Every Missouri business is set up a little differently. These companion guides answer the same question for other situations, plus the national explainers behind the terms used here.
- Business insurance in Missouri (start here)
- Workers comp: the owner's overview
- I own an LLC: do I need workers comp?
- I'm a sole proprietor: do I need workers comp?
- I own a corporation (C-corp or S-corp): do I need it?
- We're a partnership: do we need workers comp?
- We're a nonprofit: do we need workers comp?
- My workers are 1099: do I still need it?
- Only part-time or seasonal staff: do I need it?
- I only employ family: do I need workers comp?
- Remote or out-of-state staff: do I need coverage?
- What happens if I don't carry workers comp?
- How much does workers comp cost?
- What insurance do I need for a contractor license?
- Workers compensation insurance, explained
- What workers comp costs (national guide)
- What is a ghost workers comp policy?
- Hiring your first employee: what changes
- Missouri landscaper workers comp
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Missouri rules and penalty amounts can change, so verify current requirements with the Missouri Division of Workers' Compensation or a licensed advisor before you rely on them. Last updated: July 2026.