Commercial Property (Building)

• Structure, roof, exterior walls, and common areas
• Building systems: plumbing, electrical, HVAC, elevators
• Fixtures, appliances, and landlord-owned contents in common areas
• Replacement Cost or Actual Cash Value valuation - choose based on building age
• Ordinance or Law coverage for code-required upgrades after a covered loss

Michigan's diverse building stock, including many older structures, makes Ordinance or Law coverage particularly important to cover the costs of compliance with current codes after a loss.

General Liability

• Tenant or visitor bodily injury in common areas, stairwells, and parking
• Property damage you or your employees cause to others
• Personal and advertising injury (libel, wrongful eviction allegations)
• Satisfies Michigan liability requirements for rental unit owners
• Required for rental registration in many Michigan municipalities

Slip-and-fall claims are common in Michigan's winter months; adequate liability coverage is essential for property owners.

Loss of Rents (Business Income)

• Replaces rental income while the building or units are uninhabitable after a covered loss
• Covers the restoration period - from damage through inspection and re-occupancy
• Michigan market rents: factor current averages into your limit
• Particularly valuable for multi-family buildings where a single event can displace multiple households

In Michigan, the time to re-occupy after a significant loss can vary; ensure your loss-of-rents coverage reflects this potential downtime.

Flood Insurance

• Excluded from all standard commercial property policies - requires a separate policy
• NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) or private market options
• Covers building structure and foundation from flood-related water damage
• Michigan risk factors: proximity to Great Lakes and local waterways
• Private flood can offer higher limits and faster claims than NFIP

We assess flood risk using FEMA maps and local data to ensure your property is adequately covered against potential flooding.

Commercial Umbrella

• Adds $1M - $10M+ of excess liability above your GL and other underlying policies
• Activates when a judgment or settlement exceeds your underlying policy limits
• Covers the same perils as underlying GL - bodily injury, property damage, personal injury
• Often required by commercial lenders and mortgage holders on larger buildings

For Michigan buildings with high tenant density, umbrella coverage is a cost-effective way to protect against high-severity claims.

Equipment Breakdown

• Sudden mechanical or electrical failure of covered systems
• Boilers, HVAC systems, elevators, electrical panels, and central cooling
• Repair or replacement costs not covered by standard property policies
• Business income loss from a covered equipment breakdown

Older Michigan buildings with aging mechanical systems are particularly exposed; ensure you have coverage for potential breakdowns.

Workers' Compensation

• Required by Michigan law for any building with employees (super, maintenance, cleaning staff)
• Medical bills and lost wages for employees injured on the job
• Protects the building owner from employee lawsuits over workplace injuries
• Covers slip-and-fall, lifting injuries, and equipment-related incidents

If you employ any staff, Michigan law mandates workers' compensation coverage to protect both your employees and your business.

Hired & Non-Owned Auto

• Covers liability when employees drive personal vehicles on building business
• Applies to supers or maintenance staff picking up supplies or driving to the property
• Fills the gap left by personal auto policies, which exclude business-use liability

Essential if any employee or contractor drives their own vehicle on your behalf across Michigan.

Rental Property Registration

Many Michigan municipalities require rental properties to be registered annually. Registration often necessitates proof of current insurance and compliance with local building codes. Failure to register can result in fines and prevent the owner from collecting rent.

Building Code Compliance

Michigan has specific building codes that all rental properties must adhere to. These codes ensure safety and habitability, and non-compliance can lead to significant liability exposure and fines.

Minimum Liability Requirements

Michigan law requires rental property owners to carry liability insurance with minimum limits. Proof of this insurance must be filed with the municipality annually to maintain compliance.

Lead Paint Disclosure

Older Michigan properties may have lead paint, requiring landlords to disclose this risk to tenants. A lead-related claim can result in significant liability exposure, so ensure your GL policy adequately covers this risk.