Mississippi Contractor Insurance Requirements
Mississippi requires workers' compensation for employers with five or more employees — one of the higher thresholds in the country. The Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission administers the program. The Mississippi State Board of Contractors licenses contractors performing work over $50,000, requiring proof of GL insurance. Mississippi's relatively rural economy means many smaller contractors operate below WC thresholds, which is an important consideration for property managers conducting vendor compliance.
Mississippi COI Requirements at a Glance
The following table summarizes the minimum insurance requirements for contractors operating in Mississippi. Commercial property managers often require limits above state minimums.
| Coverage Type | Minimum / Status |
|---|---|
| General Liability (per occurrence) | $500,000 |
| General Liability (aggregate) | $1,000,000 |
| Workers' Compensation | Mandatory 5+ employees |
| Umbrella / Excess Liability | Commonly Required on Large Projects Common minimum: $1,000,000 |
| Additional Insured Endorsement | Commonly Required |
| Waiver of Subrogation | Less Common |
Coverage Notes
GL: Mississippi Board of Contractors requires $500K per occurrence minimum. Commercial property managers typically require $1M/$2M.
WC: Mississippi Code § 71-3-5 requires WC for employers with 5+ employees. Agricultural employers and domestic servants are exempt regardless of employee count.
Umbrella: Required on state agency contracts and larger commercial projects.
Additional Insured: Standard on commercial property management contracts.
Waiver of Subrogation: Less commonly required than in higher-cost states but included in most commercial lease templates.
Mississippi-Specific Laws & Regulations
These laws directly affect how contractor insurance requirements are structured in Mississippi. Property managers should be familiar with these statutes when reviewing vendor COIs.
Mississippi Code § 71-3-5 (Workers' Compensation Act)
Requires WC for employers with 5+ employees. One of the highest thresholds in the country, meaning many small contractors are exempt.
Mississippi COI Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from property managers and contractors about insurance requirements in Mississippi.
Do contractors in Mississippi need workers' compensation?
Mississippi requires workers' compensation for employers with five or more employees. This is one of the highest thresholds in the country. Contractors with 1–4 employees are not required to carry WC, so property managers should request a WC certificate or written confirmation of exempt status.
What are the minimum insurance requirements for contractors in Mississippi?
Mississippi Board of Contractors requires at least $500,000 per occurrence GL for licensed contractors performing work over $50,000. Commercial property managers typically require $1M/$2M GL with additional insured endorsements.
What should I do if a Mississippi contractor has fewer than 5 employees and no WC?
Contractors with fewer than 5 employees are legally exempt from WC in Mississippi. However, as the property owner, you could bear liability for injuries if the contractor is uninsured. Request a signed WC exemption acknowledgment or consider requiring voluntary WC coverage in your vendor contracts.
Does Mississippi require contractor licensing?
Yes, the Mississippi State Board of Contractors requires licensing for projects over $50,000. Licensed contractors must carry at least $500K per occurrence GL. Always verify Board of Contractors license status before hiring any vendor for large projects.
Track your Mississippi vendor compliance automatically
COIPulse verifies that every contractor COI meets Mississippi's requirements — automatically. Stop chasing paperwork and start managing risk.
14-day free trial · No credit card required · Grade your first COI instantly