Missouri workers' compensation insurance: Your ultimate resource
Everything to know about workers’ compensation for
Missouri
businesses
What does workers’ compensation cover?
A standard workers’ comp policy covers four primary areas: medical expenses, lost wages, employer liability and ongoing rehabilitation. EverPeak policies ensure your crew gets the care they need to return to work safely while protecting your business from the costs of workplace accidents.
Medical care
Coverage for the necessary treatment resulting from a work-related injury or illness.
Lost wages
Partial pay for employees unable to work while recovering from an injury.
Legal protection
Financial support for your business if an employee files a lawsuit related to an accident.
Ongoing care
Rehabilitation and training to support employees re-enter the workforce, and ongoing benefits for permanent injuries.
Death benefits
Financial support for the families.
What are
Missouri
's workers' comp laws?
Located in the American Midwest, Missouri has a distinct history and charm. From the bustling cities of Kansas City and St. Louis to the beautiful Ozark Mountains, the Show-Me state is rich with pioneer spirit and culture.
With a diverse and robust economy spanning manufacturing, agriculture and technology, Missouri offers plenty of opportunities for businesses to flourish. When it comes to protecting your business and employees, securing the right workers’ compensation insurance is crucial.
What is workers' compensation?
Workers' compensation is a state-mandated insurance program for employers with five or more employees. It’s designed to provide benefits such as medical care and lost wages for employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses.
Full and part-time, casual laborers and family members are considered employees under Missouri workers’ compensation law.
Without workers’ compensation, the cost of a work-related injured or ill employee’s medical treatment could become the responsibility of your business.
Missouri workers' compensation rules
The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations is responsible for administering the workers’ comp law in Missouri. The law requires employers with five or more employees to be covered by an active workers’ compensation insurance policy.
Workers’ comp coverage can be obtained through a partner like EverPeak Insurance. The Division of Workers’ Compensation can approve self-insured requests based on financial status.
Employees can verify online if their employer has coverage.
Who is covered and exempt from
Missouri
workers' comp?
Who is covered?
Policies include protection for full and part-time workers.
Some exemptions from workers’ comp in Missouri include:
- Railroad, postal and maritime workers
- Farm laborers
- Domestic servants in a private home
- Qualified real estate agents
- Direct sellers
Covered injuries and illnesses
Workers' compensation covers a range of work-related injuries and illnesses, including physical injuries resulting from an accident and occupational diseases developed over time due to job conditions.
Benefits provided
Missouri workers’ comp insurance provides three types of benefits for work injuries:
- Medical benefits
- Lost wages
- Death benefits
- Medical treatment for work-related accidents, injuries and/or illnesses
- Temporary disability benefits
- Permanent disability benefits
- Death and funeral benefits
Missouri workers’ compensation rates
The weekly compensation rate is two-thirds of the employee’s average weekly wage, not to exceed a maximum amount set by the law. The average weekly wage is based on gross wages.
Find more information on Missouri workers’ compensation rates.
How much does workers’ comp cost in
Missouri
?
How do you file a workers’ compensation claim in
Missouri
?
Filing a workers' compensation claim
In the event of a work-related injury or illness:
Step 1: Employee reports injury to employer
Employees in Missouri should report their injury to their employer immediately but no later than 30 days after the accident.
Step 2: Seek medical care
The employee should immediately seek medical attention.
Step 3: Employer reports injury
Once notified of the injury, employers should file a report of the accident within 30 days to their workers' compensation insurance carrier.
Step 4: Receive benefits
If an employer’s insurance provider accepts the claim, the worker may begin receiving benefits to cover medical expenses and lost wages.
Step 5: Return to work/permanent disability benefits
Following their recovery, a worker is expected to resume work safely. If a work injury has left an injured employee unable to do any type of work, the employee might be entitled to permanent disability benefits.
Choosing a healthcare provider
The employer or its workers’ comp insurance carrier has the right to choose the healthcare provider or treating physician. The employee can select their treating physician at their own expense.
Compensation for missed work
If an employee is out of work:
- Less than three days: They are not eligible for temporary disability payments.
- More than three but less than 14 days: They are eligible for lost time benefits beginning on the fourth day.
- More than 14 days: They are eligible for benefits retroactive to the first day they stopped work.
Resolving disputes
To resolve a workers’ compensation dispute, the employer and employee can take advantage of the Division’s Dispute Management Unit, which offers mediation services. Mediation is an informal process in which a neutral person facilitates communication between the parties to work toward a mutual agreement.
How to get workers' compensation
Insurance requirements for employers
Employers in Missouri with five or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance or qualify for self-insurance. Compliance with this requirement is essential to protect both the employer and employees.
Choosing the right insurance provider
When selecting a workers' compensation insurance provider, consider factors such as the provider's experience in the industry, financial stability, coverage options, claims process, customer service, and cost.
We recommend requesting multiple quotes and comparing the offerings before making a decision.
Covering your business and employees with a trusted insurance partner — like EverPeak — brings peace of mind so you can focus on your bottom line.
FAQs
Enforcing safety protocols, providing proper employee training, maintaining a clean and hazard-free work environment, and regularly reviewing safety practices can significantly reduce workplace injuries.
Your premium is primarily determined by your industry payroll classifications, geographic location and total annual payroll. Your business’s safety history can also play a major role in determining your final rate. Three key factors influence your base insurance rate:
- Industry classification codes: Higher-hazard trades naturally carry higher baseline rates.
- Geographic location: Rates and statutory benefit structures fluctuate heavily by state lines.
- Historical safety record: Maintaining an accident-free workplace lowers your Experience Modification Rate (E-mod), resulting in built-in premium discounts.
Most states require businesses with employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance to stay compliant. Requirements vary by location, but having coverage ensures your business is protected and your team has access to benefits if an injury occurs.
Employees can verify online if their employer has coverage through the state’s online search tool.
Ideally, the incident should be reported immediately or within a few days of the occurrence. Prompt reporting helps ensures the necessary steps are taken to initiate the workers' compensation claims process.
Whether you need coverage for contractors depends entirely on your state’s specific regulatory definitions and formal worker classification tests. Since misclassification regulations are highly complex and can lead to severe audits or stop-work orders, it’s vital to ensure your entire labor force is properly verified and protected based on the actual day-to-day work they do.
Learn more: Do independent contractors need workers’ compensation?
In most cases, employees in Virginia are barred from suing their employers for work-related injuries or illnesses. The workers' compensation system provides an exclusive remedy, meaning that employees typically cannot file a lawsuit against their employers. Instead, they must pursue a workers' compensation claim to receive benefits for their injuries or illnesses.
In Virginia, employers who fail to procure or sustain the appropriate workers' compensation coverage for their employees may face civil fines of up to $250 per day of non-compliance. Failure to adhere to this requirement can reach a maximum of $50,000 in fines.
Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that benefits employers and employees in the case of a work-related injury or illness.
Why choose EverPeak for workers’ comp coverage?
EverPeak protects the hardest-working businesses in (state) with simple, reliable workers’ comp starting as low as $18 a month. Backed by over a century of specialized experience, customers get multi-state coverage, fast and easy claims support, and a vast network of brokers.