Commercial auto insurance in Michigan

Do I need commercial auto insurance in Michigan?

Yes, whether you have a business-use sedan or a fleet of vehicles, if you use a vehicle for work purposes, commercial auto insurance is required in Michigan.

In Michigan, you need commercial auto when vehicles are titled to the business or used primarily for work rather than personal driving.

If you’re driving a standard-size sedan, pickup or van for work, the mandated commercial auto insurance policy will be a lot like a personal auto policy. Your business-use vehicle brings different risks than your personal car, which is why a commercial policy is required.

Expert Insight

Don’t make the mistake of assuming your personal auto policy will cover even occasional business use. This incorrect assumption could mean a financially devastating mistake. If the vehicle is used, even briefly, for business purposes, make sure you have commercial auto coverage.

Here are questions to review to help you decide if you need commercial auto insurance. You’ll usually need a Michigan commercial or business policy if you answer yes to any of these items.

Is the vehicle owned, leased or registered in the company’s name?
Do I use my vehicle for deliveries, transporting goods or people?
Do I use my vehicle to visit clients?
Do my employees or I regularly use the vehicle for business purposes?
Do multiple drivers, such as employees or contractors, drive the vehicle?
Do I carry passengers in the vehicle for business reasons (employees, clients, or rideshare work)?
Do I already carry general liability, workers’ comp or other business insurance policies?
Do my vehicles carry tools or goods for business, or do they meet Michigan’s commercial motor vehicle thresholds for weight, passengers, or hazardous materials? If so, higher limits and filings may be required.

What are the minimum requirements for commercial auto insurance in Michigan?

Michigan requires at least 50/100/10 liability, $1 million property protection insurance (PPI) and personal injury protection (PIP) on most vehicles, with additional requirements for commercial motor carriers and certain for-hire operations.

A car, pickup truck or van requires lower limits than flatbed trucks, box trucks, tractor-trailers or heavy-duty construction vehicles. A vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) usually helps determine the classification it falls into.

Also, if you cross state lines and operate in interstate commerce, or haul regulated materials, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) financial responsibility rules and regulations are triggered. These insurance limits range from $300,000 to $5 million depending on your vehicle and cargo.

Type of vehicle	Minimum insurance requirements
Standard registered vehicles, such as: Cars Pickup trucks Standard vans	Liability: 50/100/10, which stands for: $50,000 per person of bodily injury liability $100,000 per accident of bodily injury liability $10,000 per accident of property damage liability $1 million property protection
Passenger transportation companies	9 to 15 passengers: $1.5 million liability combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage per accident 16 or more passengers: $5 million liability combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage per accident Limousines: $1 million liability combined single limitsfor bodily injury and property damage per accident Taxicabs: $300,000 liability combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage per accident

Type of vehicle

Minimum insurance requirements

Standard registered vehicles, such as:

Cars
Pickup trucks
Standard vans

Liability: 50/100/10, which stands for:

$50,000 per person of bodily injury liability
$100,000 per accident of bodily injury liability
$10,000 per accident of property damage liability

$1 million property protection

Passenger transportation companies

9 to 15 passengers: $1.5 million liability combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage per accident
16 or more passengers: $5 million liability combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage per accident
Limousines: $1 million liability combined single limitsfor bodily injury and property damage per accident
Taxicabs: $300,000 liability combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage per accident

What does commercial auto insurance in Michigan cost?

The average cost of commercial auto insurance in Michigan is $186, or $2,232, according to data from small business insurance agency Insureon.

What factors affect commercial auto insurance costs in Michigan?

Commercial vehicle insurance costs vary based on risk factors, such as:

Vehicle type, value and use
Number of vehicles insured
Coverage types chosen
Selected policy limits and deductibles
Business’s claim history
Industry risks (type of business and type of cargo)
Driving history of drivers
Location
Mileage (operating radius)

People ask

Does personal auto insurance cover a vehicle if I use it for work or deliveries in Michigan?

No, a personal auto insurance policy won’t cover a vehicle you use for work or deliveries in Michigan. You need a commercial auto insurance policy because a work vehicle has different risks than a personal vehicle.

Who are the top commercial auto insurers in Michigan?

These commercial auto insurance companies offer availability in Michigan, solid financial strength and policy options for a wide range of commercial vehicles.

Allstate

Why it’s a strong option in Michigan:
Allstate's local expertise in Michigan helps businesses obtain commercial auto policies that fit their specific needs

Highlights:

A+ (Superior) AM Best financial strength rating
Vast agent network
Offers 24/7 assistance and digital claims support

Read more about: Allstate commercial auto insurance

GEICO

Why it’s a strong option in Michigan:
Local agents are available in Detroit if you want in person help selecting coverage or limits

Highlights:

A++ (Superior) AM Best financial strength rating
Offers DriveEasyPro, a commercial auto safe driving program

Liberty Mutual

Why it’s a strong option in Michigan:
Across Michigan, Liberty Mutual agents are ready to help you customize commercial auto coverage

Highlights:

A (Excellent) AM Best financial strength rating
Comprehensive tools for commercial auto claims management

Nationwide

Why it’s a strong option in Michigan:
Nationwide's Michigan agents provide help tailoring a policy to meet your particular business needs

Highlights:

A (Excellent) AM Best financial strength rating
Strong bundling options for discounts

Progressive

Why it’s a strong option in Michigan:

One of the largest commercial auto insurance companies in the U.S. by market share
Great online quoting and policy management tools
Offers Snapshot ProView telematics

Highlights:

A+ (Superior) AM Best financial strength rating
Offers specialized trucking coverage, great for contractors and delivery services

Read more about: Progressive commercial auto insurance

State Farm

Why it’s a strong option in Michigan:
In Michigan, every State Farm policy comes with a dedicated agent to guide your commercial auto insurance

Highlights:

A+ (Superior) AM Best financial strength rating, though worth noting, this is a downgraded rating from A++ (Superior)

Read more about: State Farm commercial auto insurance

Michigan Farm Bureau

Highlights:

A- (Excellent) AM Best financial strength rating

How can I get commercial auto insurance in Michigan?

Commercial auto insurance can be purchased online, by phone or directly at an insurance office. After determining your business requires a commercial policy, the next steps in the buying process include:

Step 1: Assess your needs. Review Michigan minimum coverage requirements for the vehicles you need to insure. Decide if those limits are sufficient or if higher ones are better for your needs. If unsure of your needs, ask an agent to guide you through coverage, limits and deductible options.

Step 2: Gather the information you’ll need to get quotes. This typically includes:

Business details
- Past claims history
- Vehicle specifics (VIN, GVWR, use, and annual mileage)
- Driver information (number of employee drivers, driver license numbers and driving histories)

Step 3: Comparison shop for quotes. Each insurer weighs risk factors differently, so request quotes from several companies to find the one that matches your needs the best.

Step 4: Purchase your policy. Once you’ve selected the right coverage and shopped around you should feel confident about buying your commercial auto policy. Most insurers activate coverage within 24 to 48 hours after receiving the required documents.

Expert tips: How can I get better rates for commercial auto insurance in Michigan?

Commercial auto insurance is a must for Michigan businesses, but you can try to keep costs down by following these expert tips on how to get better rates:

Shop around. The best way to get the best rates is to shop around. Each company sets its own rates and weighs rating factors differently, so where you are located may cause higher rates with some insurers, but not others. Online comparison tools make gathering multiple quotes quick and easy.
Ask for discounts. While shopping around, ask agents about possible discounts, like bundling your commercial auto policy with a BOP or general liability policy (other discounts are paid in full.
Maintain good driving records. Safe driving records for employee drivers can help you get lower premiums.
Increase deductibles. Collision and comprehensive coverage come with deductibles, an amount that reduces your insurance claim payout. A higher deductible will reduce your premium for these coverage types.

What types of vehicles are covered under commercial auto insurance in Michigan?

Michigan commercial auto policies can insure everything from sole-proprietor service vans and snowplow trucks to local delivery fleets and regional trucking operations.

If a vehicle is owned, leased, rented or used by your business, it is likely eligible for commercial auto insurance but may require additional coverage beyond standard coverage.

Vehicle type	Commercial use examples	Possible additional coverage needed
Passenger car	Client visits, real estate, small deliveries, ride share	- Rideshare endorsement - Hired and non-owned auto (HNOA) if employee-owned
Pickup truck	Construction, landscaping, hauling materials	- Inland marine - Higher coverage limits, depending on load weight
Passenger van	Shuttle services, daycares	- Higher liability limits - Possible endorsements depending on who is transported
Flatbed truck	Construction materials, hauling equipment	- Cargo coverage - Motor carrier/truck policy, depending on weight - Higher liability limits
Service/utility truck	Electrical, HVAC, maintenance, pest control, plumbing,	- Inland marine - Trailer or attached equipment endorsements
Tow truck	Towing, roadside assistance	- Specialized tow-truck commercial coverage - Coverage for customers’ vehicles
Food truck	Food service	- Equipment coverage - General liability - Workers’ comp
Box truck	Moving companies, furniture delivery	- Cargo insurance
Heavy truck (>26,000 lb)	Freight transport, long-haul trucking	- Higher liability limits - Cargo coverage - Motor carrier coverage

What does commercial auto insurance in Michigan cover?

What commercial auto insurance covers is determined by the types of cover you select when purchasing your policy. Certain coverage is required by state law, while additional optional coverage can be included to customize your policy to your specific needs.

Coverages required in Michigan include:

Bodily injury liability coverage: Pays for injuries to others outside your vehicle that you’re at fault for in an accident. It covers medical bills, legal expenses, loss of income and funeral expenses.
Property damage liability: Pays for damages you cause to another person’s vehicle or property, such as a pole, fence or mailbox.
Personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments: Pays for injuries you or your passengers incur when involved in an accident, regardless of fault.

These coverage types are optional, but adding them could give your vehicles extra protection that you want:

Collision coverage: Pays for the repairs to your vehicle (up to the value of your vehicle) when damaged in an at-fault accident, single-vehicle collision or rollover. It comes with a deductible.
Comprehensive coverage: Pays for repairs to your commercial vehicle or its replacement if it’s damaged due to bad weather, vandalism, theft, fire, striking an animal or falling objects. It comes with a deductible.
Rental car coverage: Pays for a rental car to continue operations while your vehicle is being repaired.

What does commercial auto insurance in Michigan not cover?

Commercial auto insurance provides broad coverage, but it doesn’t extend to every type of loss. Here are common exclusions to be aware of:

Employee illnesses or Injuries covered by workers’ compensation
Accidents caused by employee drivers while intoxicated
Intentional damage
Damage or destruction from pollutants
Theft, damage or destruction of company inventory or equipment (typically covered by commercial property insurance policy)

What our expert says

Q: What factors do insurers use to determine commercial auto rates?

Jason Labat Sales producer at Insureon, a small business insurance broker.

"In addition to your location, commercial car insurance rates also depend on your coverage types, policy limits, deductibles, vehicle make and model, driving history and claim history."

Frequently asked questions (FAQs): Commercial auto insurance in Michigan

Is commercial auto insurance required in Michigan?

Yes, if you use a vehicle or fleet for business purposes, Michigan law mandates commercial auto insurance.

What is considered a commercial vehicle in Michigan?

Under Michigan law, commercial vehicles are defined as any motor vehicle used for the transportation of passengers for hire, goods or merchandise, and vehicles designed and used for towing other vehicles. This definition doesn't include limousines, taxicabs, or personal vehicles operated by a transportation network company, such as Uber or Lyft.

Is Michigan commercial car insurance tax deductible?

Commercial car insurance premiums are tax-deductible in Michigan. Keep all premium bills to properly deduct this expense.

Can I use my personal vehicle for business in Michigan?

You can use your personal vehicle for business in Michigan, but you will need a commercial auto policy and possibly a hired and non-owned auto (HNOA) endorsement.