In Missouri, whether a business owner or corporate officer is covered by workers' compensation — and whether they can change that — depends on the entity type and Missouri's own rules. Getting the election right affects both your protection and your premium. Here is how inclusion and exclusion work in Missouri, the form or filing to use, and what it means for your policy.
Who must carry workers' compensation in Missouri?
Required for employers with 5+ employees, but construction employers at 1+ employee. LLC members and officers count toward the 5; sole proprietors and partners do not.
Can owners and officers be included or excluded in Missouri?
| Sole proprietor | Excluded; may elect in by endorsement. |
|---|---|
| Partners | Excluded; may elect in by endorsement. |
| LLC members | Included; may elect out via a DCI written rejection form. |
| Corporate officers | Included (employees). A corporation with two or fewer owners who are its only employees may file a notice of election to withdraw with the Division. |
How to make the election in Missouri
- Missouri Workers Comp Rejection of Coverage Form (LLC)
- Official source: Missouri DCI — workers' compensation FAQs & rejection form
How Missouri counts an included owner
Missouri uses a single fixed figure of $57,700 per year for an included officer, LLC member, partner, or sole proprietor — not a minimum/maximum band (effective 1/1/2027). Source.
Missouri's assigned-risk / residual market
An employer that can't secure workers' comp in the standard market can still get covered through Missouri Assigned Risk Pool, overseen by the Department of Commerce & Insurance and operated by Travelers. We market your risk to voluntary carriers first and turn to the residual market only as a last resort.
Related
Missouri business insurance · Workers' compensation coverage · Missouri Division of Workers' Compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do business owners have to carry workers' comp on themselves in Missouri?
It depends on your entity and role. Excluded; may elect in by endorsement. Included (employees). A corporation with two or fewer owners who are its only employees may file a notice of election to withdraw with the Division. Employees are always covered.
How do I include or exclude an owner from workers' comp in Missouri?
The right form, portal, or endorsement depends on your entity type. Missouri publishes its own form, which we complete and file with you.
What payroll is used for an included owner in Missouri?
Premium is figured between a state-set minimum and maximum that changes each year; we confirm the current amount for your policy.
Can Cory Washington & Co. handle my Missouri workers' comp election?
Yes. We confirm which rule applies to your entity, prepare the correct form or election, coordinate it with your carrier, and keep your workers' comp aligned with the rest of your program. Request a quote or a policy review and we'll take it from there.
This page is general educational information from Cory Washington & Co. LLC about how workers' compensation owner inclusion and exclusion works in this state. It is not legal, tax, or insurance advice and is not a determination of your eligibility or obligation. Workers' compensation laws, forms, payroll limits, and residual-market programs change and depend on your entity type, ownership, and operations. Confirm the current rules and amounts with your licensed advisor at Cory Washington & Co. LLC and the state agency before making any election.