Authored and Reviewed by: Zack A., Licensed Insurance Professional (CA License #0G90699) Last Updated 02/05/2026
This overview is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or insurance advice. Coverage terms and availability vary by state, carrier, and risk.
Michigan small business insurance operates in a state with its own playbook: a no-fault auto system unlike anything else in the country, a low employee threshold for workers' compensation under the WDCA, and Great Lakes weather that punishes anyone underinsured on their property.
This page lays out what coverage actually does, what state law requires, what shapes the premium you end up paying, and which carriers we place business with for Michigan owners.
Sam was fantastic to work with for my business general liability insurance. He provided a great price, was extremely responsive, and made the entire process quick and easy. I really appreciate the excellent service and communication. Highly recommend Sam to anyone looking for business insurance!
Muhammad Sadatullah
2 weeks ago
★★★★★
Tee
2 weeks ago
★★★★★
Communicative and straight to the point... All that was said over the phone matched 100 percent what was in print when documents were received. No deception... just professional and timely service. Check them out.
Tee Jay
2 weeks ago
★★★★★
Communicative and straight to the point... All that was said over the phone matched 100 percent what was in print when documents were received. No deception... just professional and timely service. Check them out.
David Wood
3 weeks ago
★★★★★
When I left California, I got a new liability company. What a mistake These guys rock if you want to save money and time , call sam
Chris Puleo
3 weeks ago
★★★★★
Easy, fast, affordable. Not much more to say!
Robert Zeigler
1 month ago
★★★★★
Matt Hall
1 month ago
★★★★★
Great process, smooth! Haven't needed to use the insurance, but painless process to set up.
Grace Roofing And Construction
1 month ago
★★★★★
Quick and easy process to get the insurance policy we needed at a great price. Will recommend this company in the future, thanks.
Business insurance pays for things that would otherwise come out of your own pocket. The most common claim scenarios we see in Michigan:
A customer slips on ice outside your Grand Rapids storefront and breaks a wrist (general liability)
A delivery driver rear-ends a sedan on I-94 (commercial auto)
An employee falls off a roof in Oakland County (workers' compensation)
A burst pipe in February damages inventory and shuts you down for two weeks (property and business interruption)
A ransomware attack locks your customer database and freezes operations (cyber liability)
A consulting client sues over a missed deadline that cost them money (professional liability)
A well-built coverage responds to most of these before they reach your bank account. The wrong coverage leaves gaps you only find at claim time.
Who This Is For
This page is written for Michigan owners who pay their own premiums and don't have a corporate risk manager on staff. The profiles we work with most:
Sole proprietors and LLCs with 1 to 50 employees across Michigan
Contractors licensed through LARA: residential builders, general contractors, and the trades that support them
Retailers, restaurants, and food businesses operating storefronts or commercial kitchens
Service businesses including consultants, agencies, healthcare offices, and professional services
Manufacturers and wholesalers in the Detroit metro, West Michigan, and statewide
Auto-related businesses including repair shops, dealerships, and parts suppliers
Anyone signing contracts that require certificates of insurance with specific limits, additional insured, and waivers of subrogation
What Michigan Law Requires
Michigan's statutory requirements are narrower than most owners expect, but the gaps between law and contract are wide. The hard rules:
Workers' compensation under the WDCA (MCL 418.115): required for any private employer with one or more employees working 35 hours a week for 13 weeks in the past 52, or three or more employees at any one time, including part-time staff
Commercial auto liability: bodily injury minimums of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident, with policies defaulting to $250K/$500K unless a lower limit is signed for
No-fault PIP medical: required on every Michigan-registered vehicle, with policyholders selecting from the post-2020 menu of limits
Residential builder license through LARA for residential construction work above the state threshold
Trade licensing through LARA's Bureau of Construction Codes for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and related work
Coverages We Place in Michigan
We place a full small-business lineup for Michigan owners. The core products:
Independent. Licensed in all 50 states. Backed by partnerships with the carriers that matter to your business.
1,000+
Trades Insured
18+
Years In Business
240+
Insurance Carriers
Our Partners
We partner with A-Rated AM Best Insurance Companies (ratings subject to change)
Frequently Asked Questions - Michigan
Do I need workers' comp if I only have one part-time employee in Michigan?
Possibly. The WDCA triggers coverage at three or more part-time employees, or one or more working 35 hours a week for 13 weeks during the prior year. A single part-time hire under those hours may not require coverage, but the threshold can be reached faster than owners expect. Confirm with the Workers' Compensation Agency or a licensed agent.
Does my Michigan no-fault PIP choice affect my commercial auto?
Yes. Commercial auto policies in Michigan run through the same PIP election system as personal lines. If a lower PIP limit was selected on a renewal form (or defaulted), it applies to vehicles on the schedule. Review the bodily injury limit and PIP medical choice every year, especially before signing new contracts that specify CSL minimums.
Is general liability required by law in Michigan?
GL is not generally required by state statute. It's often required contractually: by landlords, by general contractors hiring subs, by clients buying services, and by municipalities issuing permits. Most small businesses end up with a policy because someone in the supply chain demands a certificate of insurance showing it.
Do Michigan general contractors need to check their subcontractors' insurance?
Practically, yes. Without a certificate of insurance and workers' comp exclusion form (WC-337) on file, an uninsured sub's claim can fall back on the general contractor. Many GCs require COIs, additional insured endorsements, and waivers of subrogation before issuing a purchase order.
How do I prove insurance to a customer asking for a COI?
Ask your agent for an ACORD 25 certificate naming the requestor in the description section, with any required additional insured or waiver of subrogation endorsements attached. The certificate is informational only and doesn't amend the policy, which is why the underlying endorsements matter.
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