What is a ghost policy?
Owner-only workers' comp is a rare product: few carriers write it for solopreneurs. UNO Insurance (unoinsure.com) sells it online, written by Cimarron Insurance Company, in 14 states.
A ghost policy is a workers' compensation policy for a business with no employees — the owner only. It is issued with $0 payroll, the owner rejects coverage, and it gives you the certificate of insurance a contract or license asks for. UNO Insurance (unoinsure.com) sells it online, written by Cimarron Insurance Company, in 14 states.
The 14 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Carolina, South Dakota and Virginia.
Who can get a ghost policy?
A one-person business where the owner does all the work. You're a fit if:
- You're the only person working.
- You have no W-2 employees and no plans to hire.
- You use no subcontractors of any kind — not even ones who carry their own insurance — and no 1099 workers or day labor.
- No family member helps with the work, paid or unpaid.
- Your work never takes you above 15 feet.
- Your business is in one of our 14 states.
Who can't get one?
If anyone else works for you — an employee, a subcontractor, a 1099 worker, day labor or a family member who helps — you need regular workers' comp, not a ghost policy.
Work above 15 feet is an automatic decline, so roofers and other work at heights can't be covered. Heavy construction and healthcare are not a fit either.
Does a ghost policy cover the owner?
No. A 👻Ghost Policy never covers the owner; if you want coverage for yourself, you need regular workers' comp.
When you buy it, the owner rejects coverage. Ghost policies do not provide any medical or wage loss benefits to employees or owners.
Why buy a ghost policy, then?
Because someone asked you for proof of workers' comp: a general contractor, a client, a franchisor or a licensing office. The policy is real — a real policy number from Cimarron Insurance Company — and its certificate of insurance satisfies contract and licensing requirements that ask for workers' comp.
Which states does UNO Insurance sell ghost policies in?
These 14, from Cimarron's program. In any other state, UNO Insurance isn't available yet.
- AlabamaAL
- ArkansasAR
- IllinoisIL
- IndianaIN
- IowaIA
- KansasKS
- MississippiMS
- MissouriMO
- MontanaMT
- NebraskaNE
- New MexicoNM
- South CarolinaSC
- South DakotaSD
- VirginiaVA
How much does a ghost policy cost?
A flat yearly premium set by your state and your trade's class code, plus the $250 Audit Fee — Powered by Audit1. You pay both together, in one payment. The quote shows your exact price in about 3 minutes, before you commit.
More: How much does workers' comp cost for one person? · What is a class code?
How fast do I get the policy and the certificate?
The quote takes about 3 minutes. Then you pay and sign the documents, and Cimarron issues your policy within 24 business hours of payment and signed documents. Your certificate of insurance is ready to download after the policy is issued, so start before the day you need it.
More questions
- Is a ghost policy real insurance?
- Yes. It is a real workers' comp policy with a real policy number, issued by Cimarron Insurance Company. It has no employees on it, and it never covers the owner.
- Who is the insurer?
- Cimarron Insurance Company writes every UNO ghost policy. UNO Insurance is not an insurer.
- What if I hire someone later?
- Tell us right away. A ghost policy allows no employees, so once anyone else works for you — an employee, a 1099 worker or a family member who helps — you need regular workers' comp instead.
- Can I get a refund?
- If clear evidence contradicts your application before Cimarron issues the policy, the bind is cancelled and the premium refunded in full. Once Cimarron has issued the policy, the premium is fully earned and no premium is refunded.
- Can roofers get a ghost policy?
- No. Work above 15 feet is an automatic decline, so roofers and other work at heights need regular workers' comp.
Where can I read more about ghost policies?
The basics
- Can I Add an Employee Later? Growing Out of a Ghost Policy
- Why GCs Accept Ghost Policies (And When They Don't)
- Ghost Policy vs. Regular Workers' Comp: The Real Difference
- What a Ghost Policy Does NOT Cover (Read Before You Buy)
- What Is a Ghost Policy? Workers' Comp When You Have No Employees
- Do Sole Proprietors Need to Cover Themselves? (Owner Exclusion)
By trade
- Can a Carpenter Get a Ghost Policy?
- Can a Drywall Finisher Get a Ghost Policy?
- Can a Flooring Installer Get a Ghost Policy?
- Can a Handyman Get a Ghost Policy?
- Can a House Cleaner Get a Ghost Policy?
- Can a HVAC Technician Get a Ghost Policy?
- Can a Landscaper Get a Ghost Policy?
- Can a Painter Get a Ghost Policy?
- Can a Plumber Get a Ghost Policy?
- Can a Roofer Get a Ghost Policy?
- Can a Tile Setter Get a Ghost Policy?
- Can an Electrician Get a Ghost Policy?
See your price in about 3 minutes.
Cimarron issues your policy within 24 business hours of payment and signed documents.