Learn about business insurance requirements and the most common policies for architects in Michigan.
If you have a commercial lease, your property manager may require you to purchase general liability insurance. The most common policy purchased by architects in Michigan, it can protect your business from expenses associated with client property damage, injuries, and other common mishaps.
State law in Michigan requires every small business with three or more employees at any one time to carry workers’ compensation coverage. This requirement also applies if you have one or more workers for 35 or more hours per week, for 13 or more weeks.
Business-owned vehicles must be covered by commercial auto insurance, and personal vehicles used for business purposes should have commercial coverage, as well.
Your clients may require professional liability insurance in a contract. Also called errors and omissions insurance, professional liability insurance provides financial protection if a client files a lawsuit claiming your work caused financial harm because it was late, erroneous, or incomplete.
Architects in Michigan most often need the following insurance policies. The specifics depend on client contracts, lease agreements, the number of employees, and other factors.
General liability insurance is the foundation of an architect’s business protection, with coverage that extends to client injuries, client property damage, and advertising injuries. Most commercial leases require you to have this coverage.
Architects often qualify for a business owner’s policy. This package helps your business save money by bundling commercial property insurance with general liability insurance at an affordable rate.
Many clients require proof of professional liability insurance before entering into contracts for professional services. This policy, also called errors and omissions insurance or architect liability insurance, can help cover legal expenses if you’re sued for unsatisfactory performance or a work mistake.
Michigan law requires employers with three or more employees to carry workers’ compensation coverage. This requirement also applies if you have one or more workers for 35 or more hours per week for 13 or more weeks. Independent contractors are not considered employees and don’t count toward this threshold.
Workers' comp can help pay for medical expenses associated with occupational injuries. It also provides disability benefits while the employee is unable to work.
If your architecture firm doesn’t have employees, you may choose whether to carry coverage for yourself. Workers' comp is recommended even for sole proprietors and independent contractors, as health insurance companies can deny claims for injuries related to your job.
Architects who store sensitive customer information, such as email addresses or credit card numbers, should invest in cyber liability insurance. This policy helps businesses recover from cyberattacks and data breaches. For example, it would cover the cost of notifying affected customers and providing them with fraud monitoring services after a breach.
Commercial auto insurance can cover vehicles your business owns or uses for business purposes. If your vehicle is involved in an accident, this policy can cover your liability for the other person's bodily injuries and property damage. It can also cover your vehicle when it is damaged by weather events, vandalized, or stolen.
The amount of coverage you need depends on the laws in your state. In Michigan, you need both bodily injury coverage and personal injury protection (PIP):
Architects might need a license or permit bond to obtain a license in their state or work on a project. These bonds are types of surety bonds that guarantee you will fulfill the terms of a contract and adhere to local regulations. The contract will usually specify the size of the bond that you need.
To get an architect license in Michigan, you need to submit an application, pay a fee, meet the requirements for education and experience, and pass an exam.
The cost of architect insurance in Michigan is comparable to the national median, according to an analysis of Insureon applications.
Michigan architects pay a median of $1,930 a year ($160 per month) for professional liability insurance, while the national median is $1,733 a year ($145 a month). However, workers’ compensation costs are lower than the national median. Michigan architects can expect to pay $420 per year for workers' comp versus the national median of $600.
Insureon’s industry-leading technology helps architects in Michigan save time and money shopping for insurance by comparing policies from top U.S. carriers. Start a free online application to review quotes for the policies that best fit your business. Our insurance agents are licensed in Michigan and can answer your questions as you consider coverage.
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