State insurance guide
Ohio Business Insurance Guide 2026
In Ohio, every business with one or more employees must have workers' compensation coverage through the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) state insurance fund, unless BWC has granted it the privilege of self-insuring. Auto liability minimums and paid leave rules follow, each with its official source.
Explore Ohio requirements
Open the state requirements checklistIn Ohio, every business with one or more employees must have workers' compensation coverage through the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) state insurance fund, unless BWC has granted it the privilege of self-insuring (Ohio.gov, Workers' Compensation (business resources); ORC 4123.35). The minimum auto liability limits are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage (Ohio Revised Code § 4509.51). Ohio runs no state paid family leave or disability insurance program, according to NCSL's table.
The sources were checked on October 3, 2026. For a ruling on your own situation, ask the agency linked in each section.
Shopping for business insurance in Ohio? Request coverage help
Workers' compensation
Who must carry it: 1 or more employees, through the BWC state fund (Ohio.gov, Workers' Compensation (business resources)); or approved self-insurance (ORC 4123.35).
In Ohio, all businesses with employees must have workers' compensation coverage through the Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC).
Source: Ohio.gov, Workers' Compensation (business resources)
Exemptions and exclusions
Under ORC 4123.01, household workers and casual workers count as employees only if they earn $160 or more in cash in a calendar quarter from a single household or employer. Sole proprietors, partners and certain others are not employees but may elect coverage (ORC 4123.01).
Coverage runs through the state fund: ORC 4123.35 requires private employers to pay premium into the state insurance fund unless they qualify to self-insure (ORC 4123.35).
The agency to ask is the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC). Our workers' compensation guide explains the coverage, and the workers' comp calculator checks the payroll arithmetic in a proposal.
Auto liability minimums
Ohio sets these minimum auto liability limits:
- Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
- In force: Ohio Revised Code § 4509.51 shows an effective date of December 22, 2013
- Source: Ohio Revised Code § 4509.51
Commercial and for-hire vehicles can face different or higher federal or state requirements. Our commercial auto guide covers owned, hired and non-owned vehicles.
Paid leave and disability insurance
Ohio has no state paid family and medical leave insurance program and no state temporary disability insurance program for private employers, based on NCSL's table, last updated November 7, 2025 (NCSL: state family and medical leave laws), and a cross-check on October 3, 2026 with the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau.
Laws can change faster than compilations: Virginia enacted a program in 2026 (Code of Virginia § 60.2-801). Ask the state agency that handles labor and workforce matters before planning payroll for a later year.
Other requirements to check
Insurance or bond conditions can also come from licensing boards, landlords and clients, for example as general liability limits or certificate wording. Log each one in the certificate of insurance checklist, and use the requirements-by-state guide for work outside Ohio.
Where to verify
- Workers' compensation: Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC)
- Auto liability minimums: Ohio Revised Code § 4509.51
- Paid leave and disability insurance: NCSL state family and medical leave laws and the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau
Our state requirements checklist turns your employee count and vehicle use into questions for those offices. To ask PolicyBenchmark for a follow-up about your Ohio business, request coverage help.
Frequently asked questions
Does an Ohio business with one employee need workers' compensation?
Generally, yes: Ohio applies the requirement from the first employee (Ohio.gov, Workers' Compensation (business resources)). Exemptions listed above can still apply to particular workers or owners; the agency to ask is the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC).
Can I buy workers' compensation from a private insurer in Ohio?
No. Coverage runs through the state fund: ORC 4123.35 requires private employers to pay premium into the state insurance fund unless they qualify to self-insure (ORC 4123.35).
Are Ohio's auto minimums enough for business vehicles?
Ohio's minimums are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage (Ohio Revised Code § 4509.51). Treat them as the minimum the law sets rather than a target; commercial and for-hire use can trigger different or higher federal or state requirements.
Does Ohio require employers to pay into a paid leave program?
No state paid leave or temporary disability insurance program collects contributions from Ohio employers, according to NCSL's table, last updated November 7, 2025. Confirm before planning a future payroll year.
About this article
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance advice. Always consult with a licensed insurance professional before making coverage decisions.