Can I get a ghost policy in South Dakota?

Yes. UNO Insurance (unoinsure.com) sells ghost policies — owner-only workers' comp for a business with no employees — in South Dakota, written by Cimarron Insurance Company. The premium is $1,000 a year, the same for every trade we write in South Dakota, plus the $250 Audit Fee, paid together in one payment. The owner rejects coverage, and the policy gives you the certificate a contract or license asks for.

How much does a ghost policy cost in South Dakota?

The yearly premium is $1,000, the same for every trade Cimarron Insurance Company writes in South Dakota. Add the $250 Audit Fee — Powered by Audit1, and you pay both together, in one payment.

If a contract asks for a waiver of subrogation, a Blanket Waiver of Subrogation adds $150 a year.

What does South Dakota law say about workers' comp?

Who must carry it

All employers, with limited exceptions; the agency page states no employee-count minimum. Source: SD Dept. of Labor and Regulation, Workers' Compensation - Coverage

Read from South Dakota's own pages on October 16, 2026. Rules change: check the source before you rely on one.

Even where the law does not require it, one-person businesses buy a ghost policy because a general contractor, a client, a franchisor or a licensing office asks for a certificate of workers' comp.

Who can get a ghost policy in South Dakota?

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 South Dakota.

If anyone else works for you, 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.

Which trades can get a ghost policy in South Dakota?

Cimarron Insurance Company writes 79 trades (class codes) in South Dakota.

Compare every trade and price across all 14 states · Not sure which is yours? What is a class code?

More questions

How much does a ghost policy cost in South Dakota?

$1,000 a year, the same for every trade Cimarron writes in South Dakota, plus the $250 Audit Fee — $1,250 in one payment. The online quote shows your exact price in about 3 minutes.

Who must carry workers' comp in South Dakota?

All employers, with limited exceptions; the agency page states no employee-count minimum. (Source: SD Dept. of Labor and Regulation, Workers' Compensation - Coverage.) Many one-person businesses buy a ghost policy anyway, because a general contractor, a client or a licensing office asks for a certificate of workers' comp.

Who writes UNO ghost policies in South Dakota?

Cimarron Insurance Company writes every UNO ghost policy in South Dakota. UNO Insurance is not an insurer.

How fast can I get a ghost policy in South Dakota?

The quote takes about 3 minutes. Cimarron issues your policy within 24 business hours of payment and signed documents, and the certificate of insurance is ready to download after the policy is issued.

Does a ghost policy in South Dakota cover the owner?

No. A 👻Ghost Policy never covers the owner; if you want coverage for yourself, you need regular workers' comp.

Other states

• AlabamaAL
• ArkansasAR
• IllinoisIL
• IndianaIN
• IowaIA
• KansasKS
• MississippiMS
• MissouriMO
• MontanaMT
• NebraskaNE
• New MexicoNM
• South CarolinaSC
• VirginiaVA

What is a ghost policy? The full guide