NEXT, The Hartford and Simply Business lead Missouri business insurance, with NEXT ranking first for customer service and second for coverage breadth. Contractors get same-day COIs from NEXT for contract work, cost-conscious small business owners save with The Hartford's $88 monthly rates and Simply Business offers specialized coverage across different industries.
Best Small Business Insurance in Missouri
Get quotes from the best business insurance providers in Missouri including The Hartford, NEXT and Simply Business with rates starting at $6/mo.
Get matched to the best Missouri commercial insurer for you below.

Updated: January 6, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Missouri's best small business insurance comes from NEXT, ranking first for customer service and second for coverage.
The Hartford, Simply Business and Thimble offer the cheapest small business insurance in Missouri, starting at $88 monthly.
Compare quotes across general liability, workers' comp and professional small business insurance coverage to save.
Best Small Business Insurance Companies in Missouri
| NEXT Insurance | 4.62 | $99 | 1 | 2 |
| The Hartford | 4.59 | $88 | 2 | 3 |
| Simply Business | 4.48 | $89 | 5 | 1 |
| Nationwide | 4.47 | $101 | 2 | 4 |
| Coverdash | 4.41 | $100 | 6 | 2 |
| biBERK | 4.38 | $103 | 2 | 5 |
| Progressive Commercial | 4.31 | $98 | 7 | 5 |
| Thimble | 4.30 | $93 | 8 | 5 |
| Hiscox | 4.26 | $107 | 4 | 6 |
| Chubb | 4.26 | $116 | 3 | 4 |
Note: These rates reflect MoneyGeek's analysis of small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries. Your actual rates vary based on your industry risk factors, claims history, coverage limits and individual insurer underwriting criteria. Contact insurers directly for personalized quotes.
Discover the best or cheapest business insurer in Missouri for your desired coverage type in our resources below:

Best Missouri Business Insurance
Average Monthly Cost of General Liability Insurance
$102This rate is for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on general liability policies.Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance
$68This rate is for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on workers' comp policies.Our Survey: Digital Experience
4.8/5 (1st)Our Survey: Likely to Be Recommended to Others
4.8/5 (1st)
- pros
Ranks first for customer service nationwide
Quotes and coverage in under 10 minutes
A+ AM Best rating (Superior financial strength)
Over 750,000 customers served nationwide
consHigher average cost than competitors
BOP coverage available in only 41 states
No physical offices
NEXT ranks first overall in Missouri because it delivers same-day policies and instant certificates when contractors need COIs before starting work, though you'll pay about $11 more monthly than The Hartford at $99 average rates. The digital platform eliminates agent callbacks while maintaining an A+ AM Best rating, making it worth the premium for Missouri businesses where speed determines whether you win the job.
NEXT averages $99 monthly across Missouri coverage types. You'll pay Missouri's lowest workers' comp rate at $68 monthly, giving you savings when hiring your first employee or expanding your team. Professional liability costs $72 monthly, below average and valuable when clients require E&O coverage. Skip the $154 monthly business owner's policy ($9 above average) and consider other providers.
NEXT ranks first nationally for customer service, delivering instant certificates when clients need proof of insurance before you start work. You'll handle policy updates online easily but may wait hours on hold if claim disputes arise (Missouri customers report supervisors avoiding calls when problems escalate). Choose NEXT if you need job-ready certificates fast, not if you anticipate complex claims.
Overall Customer Score 4.45 1 Claims Process 3.90 4 Customer Service 4.20 4 Digital Experience 4.80 1 Overall Satisfaction 4.40 2 Policy Management 4.30 1 Recommend to Others 4.80 1 Renewal Likelihood 4.60 1 Missouri food businesses and retailers get product liability included at no extra charge, protecting you if products injure customers. Contractors add tools coverage for gear stolen from jobsites, while restaurants add liquor liability for alcohol-related incidents. Standard $1 million limits expand to $4 million with umbrella coverage when contracts or leases require higher protection.

Cheapest Missouri Business Insurance
Average Monthly Cost of General Liability Insurance
$89This rate is for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on general liability policies.Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance
$69This rate is for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on workers' comp policies.Our Survey: Claims Process
4.5/5 (1st)Our Survey: Agent Service
4.7/5 (1st)
- pros
Cheapest Missouri rates at $88 monthly average
Best claims processing ranking speeds settlements
A+ AM Best rating guarantees claim payments
Over 200 years of proven reliability
consRanks last nationally for digital experience
Not available in Alaska and Hawaii
Agent required to purchase policies
No BOP coverage in Michigan
The Hartford ranks second overall in Missouri while offering the state's lowest rates at $88 monthly ($1,053 annually), combining affordability with an A+ AM Best financial rating and over 200 years of stability. It works best for cost-conscious Missouri business owners who prioritize proven reliability and savings over digital convenience, since policy changes require agent calls rather than online self-service.
The Hartford saves Missouri businesses $11 monthly compared to competitors at $88 average rates ($1,053 annually). You'll get Missouri's fastest claim settlements when tornado damage closes your shop or workplace injuries hit your payroll—both major costs in the Show-Me State. The Hartford ranks last for digital tools, requiring agent calls for policy changes. Choose The Hartford when affordability and claim speed outweigh online convenience.
The Hartford resolves claims faster than competitors, getting Missouri businesses back open after tornado damage or workplace injuries shut down operations. The insurer's adjusters walk you through coverage details other owners miss. One praised how "the adjuster explained benefits I wasn't aware of." You'll spend more time on hold for policy changes, as digital tools lag competitors. Best for Missouri owners prioritizing claim speed over online self-service.
Overall Customer Score 4.38 2 Claims Process 4.50 1 Customer Service 4.70 1 Digital Experience 3.80 10 Overall Satisfaction 4.50 1 Policy Management 4.20 4 Recommend to Others 4.50 2 Renewal Likelihood 4.40 2 Missouri contractors avoid buying three separate policies by bundling professional liability and data breach into one business owner's policy, cutting paperwork and premium costs. Home-based businesses get automatic protection against employee discrimination lawsuits up to $25,000, valuable when hiring your first worker. Missouri restaurants serving alcohol add liquor liability coverage protecting you when intoxicated customers cause injuries after leaving your establishment.

Best Commercial Coverage Options in Missouri
Average Monthly Cost of General Liability Insurance
$83This rate is for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on general liability policies.Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance
$70This rate is for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on workers' comp policies.Our Research: Digital Experience
4.3/5Our Survey: Service Quality
4.0/5
- pros
Ranks first for coverage breadth across Missouri industries
Digital marketplace delivers quotes in under 10 minutes
Amazon seller insurance through Insurance Accelerator Program
Partners with 20+ A-rated carriers nationwide
consRanks eighth for claims processing among competitors
Cancellation requests require phone calls, long holds
Policy changes handled by carrier, not Simply Business
Service quality depends on which carrier underwrites
Simply Business ranks first for coverage breadth in Missouri by connecting you with 20+ carriers in under 10 minutes at $89 monthly, helping you find specialized policies single insurers won't offer. When claims or service needs arise, you'll work directly with whichever carrier underwrote your policy rather than Simply Business itself, making it best for businesses needing industry-specific coverage unavailable elsewhere.
Missouri contractors save $228 annually on general liability versus competitors, money you'll reinvest in equipment after tornado damage or payroll during optional workers' comp claims. Workers' compensation and professional liability cost slightly more at $70 and $75 monthly. Business owner's policies save you $228 yearly while bundling property coverage for storm-damaged tools and inventory.
Simply Business gets you instant certificates when Missouri contractors need proof before starting storm repair jobs, no waiting for agent callbacks. When tornado damage hits your shop or workplace injuries shut down operations, you'll file claims with your underwriting carrier, bypassing the broker entirely. Customers praise "knowledgeable staff" but report hour-long hold times attempting cancellations or policy changes.
Overall Customer Score 4.14 7 Claims Process 3.70 8 Customer Service 4.00 6 Digital Experience 4.50 3 Overall Satisfaction 4.10 7 Policy Management 4.10 7 Recommend to Others 4.20 8 Renewal Likelihood 4.10 7 Missouri contractors avoid lawsuit exposure after tornado damage by adding Waiver of Subrogation endorsements. That ensures your carrier won't sue homeowners you're repairing for, keeping client relationships intact. You'll protect storm-damaged tools and equipment through inland marine coverage when tornadoes destroy job sites. Missouri restaurants bundle cyber liability into business owner's policies, covering data breaches when payment systems fail during severe weather outages.
Get Matched to the Best Small Business Insurance Providers in Missouri
Select your industry and state to get a customized quote for your Missouri business.
Cheapest Small Business Insurance Providers in Missouri
The Hartford offers the most affordable small business insurance in Missouri at $88 monthly, saving you about $11 compared to the state average. Simply Business and Thimble provide budget-friendly alternatives at $89 and $93 monthly, giving you multiple low-cost options without sacrificing the coverage your contracts and clients require.
| The Hartford | $88 | $1,053 |
| Simply Business | $89 | $1,064 |
| Thimble | $93 | $1,114 |
| Progressive Commercial | $98 | $1,182 |
| NEXT Insurance | $99 | $1,187 |
| Coverdash | $100 | $1,196 |
| Nationwide | $101 | $1,207 |
| biBERK | $103 | $1,235 |
| Hiscox | $107 | $1,288 |
| Chubb | $116 | $1,396 |
Note: We analyzed rates for your two-employee business across 79 industries, focusing on general liability, professional liability, workers' compensation and business owner's policies. Our Missouri research covers the companies we surveyed and won't include every rate available to your specific business.
Cheapest Missouri Business Insurance by Coverage Type
The cheapest small business insurance provider in Missouri varies by coverage type. Simply Business leads for general liability while The Hartford offers the lowest professional liability rates. Your coverage needs determine which provider saves you the most across Missouri's four main small business insurance types:
| BOP | Thimble | $120 |
| GL | Simply Business | $83 |
| PL | The Hartford | $71 |
| WC | NEXT Insurance | $68 |
Note: We analyzed rates for your two-employee business across 79 industries, focusing on general liability, professional liability, workers' compensation and business owner's policies. Our Missouri research covers the companies we surveyed and won't include every rate available to your specific business.
Cheapest Missouri Small Business Insurance by Industry
The cheapest small business insurance provider in Missouri depends on your industry type. Construction contractors pay different rates than food service businesses, and professional services face different pricing than retail operations. Missouri's most common small business sectors see different rates by provider:
- Construction and Contractors: Hiscox offers the lowest rates for Missouri contractors at $106 monthly because it delivers fast COIs for contract requirements while protecting you from job-site injury lawsuits and property damage claims that exceed project margins.
- Food Services: Coverdash, Simply Business and Nationwide save Missouri restaurants, food trucks, bakeries and caterers money at $62 to $89 monthly, protecting you against customer injuries and tornado-damaged equipment without straining cash flow.
- Retail: Nationwide provides the most affordable coverage for Missouri retailers at $42 monthly, protecting you from customer slip-and-falls and property damage while meeting lease requirements and keeping you open during weather-related repairs.
- Professional Services: The Hartford offers the cheapest professional liability rates for Missouri consultants, accountants, tech firms and IT providers at $36 to $47 monthly, covering you when clients demand E&O coverage before signing contracts.
- Health Care Services: The Hartford and NEXT provide the lowest rates for Missouri personal trainers, massage therapists and physical therapists at $33 to $60 monthly, protecting you against client injuries from falls, treatment complications or training accidents.
- Transportation and Trucking: NEXT offers Missouri transportation and trucking operations the lowest rates at $95 to $138 monthly, covering I-70 and I-44 corridor accidents and cargo damage for interstate commerce.
How to Get the Best Cheap Business Insurance in Missouri
Getting business insurance in Missouri requires balancing affordable rates with reliable coverage for tornado damage, workplace injuries and liability claims. Follow these steps to find cost-effective policies from quality providers without sacrificing protection your contracts and business' needs.
- 1
Identify Your Missouri Business Risks and Required Coverage
Assess tornado exposure, customer traffic, employee count and vehicle usage to determine baseline needs. Missouri requires workers' comp at five employees (one for construction) and 25/50/25 commercial auto minimums, but contracts often demand higher limits and COIs. Operating without adequate coverage leaves you personally liable when customers slip, severe weather damages equipment or workplace injuries occur.
- 2
Compare Quotes from Missouri's Top-Rated AND Most Affordable Providers
Request quotes from NEXT (top customer service), The Hartford (lowest rates at $88 monthly) and Simply Business (broadest coverage) to uncover rate differences of 20% or more for identical protection. Get 3-5 quotes comparing your industry and risk profile. Explore Missouri's Second Injury Fund reducing workers' comp costs 20-40% when hiring workers with pre-existing conditions.
- 3
Verify Claims Handling and Financial Stability Before Choosing
Check AM Best ratings (A- or higher) and read reviews focusing on tornado damage settlements and workplace injury claims. Prioritize claim payment speed over saving $10 monthly because Missouri businesses face $10 million+ lawsuit verdicts and 8.2 annual billion-dollar weather events that require six-figure repairs or legal defense, making insurer reliability more valuable than marginal cost savings.
- 4
Apply Cost-Saving Strategies Without Sacrificing Protection
Missouri businesses save hundreds annually by optimizing coverage structure and payment choices beyond traditional discounts:
- Bundle policies: Combine general liability and property through a BOP for 20% to 30% savings vs. separate policies.
- Document safety programs: Record training, equipment maintenance and workplace safety protocols for workers' comp rate reductions of 5% to 15%, especially valuable since Missouri rates dropped 5.3% in 2025, multiplying your potential savings.
- Adjust deductibles strategically: Raise property deductibles from $500 to $1,000 for 10% to 15% savings that offset tornado and flood exposure while keeping liability deductibles low because Missouri's high-verdict litigation environment makes liability protection costlier to replace.
- Optimize payment timing: Pay annually instead of monthly for 5% to 10% savings, freeing cash for equipment repairs or emergency weather-related expenses when Missouri's severe weather hits unexpectedly.
- 5
Negotiate Contract-Ready Coverage at Competitive Rates
Request quotes with standard contract limits ($1 million/$2 million general liability, additional insured endorsements) and verify same-day COI turnaround. Missouri contractors lose jobs when unable to provide certificates within 24 to 48 hours of client requests. Compare rates for waiver of subrogation and other common endorsements before committing to coverage.
- 6
Review Coverage Annually and Adjust for Business Changes
Review policies when hiring employees (workers' comp required at employee 5 general, employee 1 construction), purchasing equipment or expanding services. Monitor your experience modification rate: Missouri's 5.3% workers' comp rate decrease means reviewing your mod could save $50 to $200 annually. Update limits when contracts require higher coverage rather than waiting for renewal.
Best Business Liability Insurance Missouri: Bottom Line
NEXT delivers fast COIs for Missouri contractors, while The Hartford offers the state's lowest rates at $88 monthly. Each business needs different coverage, so compare service quality and rates across all three to find protection that covers your tornado exposure, customer liability and employee injuries without overpaying.
Business Insurance Missouri: FAQ
Small business owners across Missouri face numerous questions when selecting business insurance coverage. We've compiled answers to the most common concerns below:
What small business insurance do I need in Missouri?
Missouri requires workers' comp at five employees (one for construction). Add general liability for customer injuries, professional liability for contracts and a BOP for tornado damage. The Hartford offers affordable coverage starting at $88 monthly across all types.
How much does small business insurance cost in Missouri per month?
Coverage costs for your Missouri business depend on your industry, but these are the monthly and annual averages by coverage type:
- General liability insurance: $102 monthly or $1,227 annually
- Workers' compensation insurance: $73 monthly or $874 annually
- Professional liability (E&O) insurance: $77 monthly or $923 annually
- Business owner's policy (BOP): $145 monthly or $1,745 annually
What's the best small business insurance company in Missouri for my industry?
NEXT delivers same-day COIs for contractors meeting contract deadlines. The Hartford offers retail and food businesses $88 monthly rates covering tornado damage. Professional services get E&O coverage from The Hartford at $36 to $47 monthly.
Do I need workers' comp in Missouri if I have employees, part-time help, or subcontractors?
Missouri requires workers' comp at five employees (general businesses) or one employee (construction). Part-time workers count toward totals, and independent contractors don't count if they carry their own coverage (but verify their insurance to avoid injury liability).
How do I get a COI in Missouri (and what limits or wording do clients or landlords usually require)?
Request COIs from your insurer after purchasing coverage. Clients usually require $1 million/$2 million general liability, additional insured endorsements and waiver of subrogation. Missouri contractors need 24 to 48 hour turnaround to start work on schedule.
About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
sources
- Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. "Workers' Compensation Insurance." Accessed January 12, 2026.
- Missouri Department of Revenue. "Auto Insurance." Accessed January 12, 2026.

