Michigan Insurance License
Licensing requirements for Michigan insurance professionals and companies.
This page provides an overview of insurance licensing in Michigan for individuals and companies. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.
Companies that provide insurance producer services in Michigan must apply for a license prior to doing business. Depending on the lines of authority offered by the entity and the types of services offered, multiple firm licenses may be required.
Before applying, firms should ensure that the licensed individual to be appointed agent in charge has the necessary licenses. Firms should also gather proof of incorporation, or foreign qualification for out-of-state firms, in anticipation of application requirements.
Michigan Insurance License Requirements
Michigan licenses insurance agencies separately from the producers who work for them. To get an agency license, a business entity registers with the state and names at least one Designated Responsible Licensed Producer (DRLP).
Who can hold an agency license
Corporations, LLCs and co-partnerships can hold a Michigan agency license.
Requirements for resident agencies
- Get a federal employer identification number (FEIN) before applying.
- Register the entity. Corporations and LLCs register with the Corporations Division of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Co-partnerships file their name with the county clerk where the entity is located and in every county where it does business, then upload that filing with the application.
- Name at least one DRLP. The DRLP is responsible for the agency's compliance with Michigan insurance law and doesn't need to hold every line of authority the agency holds. An agency can name more than one.
- Expect background checks on everyone listed on the application, including DRLPs, owners, partners, officers and directors. Any background "yes" answer needs supporting documents.
- Apply online through NIPR. The license fee is $10 plus a $5 transaction fee. An application stays valid for 180 days.
Requirements for non-resident agencies
- Get a FEIN. A foreign corporation also needs a Certificate of Authority to transact business from LARA's Corporations Division.
- The Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) verifies the agency's home state license through the national Producer Database, so no certification letter is needed.
- The same DRLP and background check rules apply.
- The license fee is $10 plus a $6.18 transaction fee.
Agency names
An agency can use the word "insurance" in its name without adding "agency," as long as the full name doesn't suggest it is an insurance or surety company.
Keeping the license active
- Michigan agency licenses don't renew on a cycle. A resident agency license stays in force as long as it remains active and in good standing.
- A non-resident agency license is perpetual as long as the home state license stays active and in good standing.
- Agencies add or inactivate affiliated producers through DIFS's ILOS web page.
With no renewal date to prompt a review, a Michigan agency license depends on its home state license and its producers staying current. Harbor Compliance tracks licenses, DRLP coverage and producer status in every state your agency works in, so a lapse elsewhere doesn't take a line of business offline.
Company Licenses
Michigan Insurance Company Licenses
Michigan Insurance Agency License
| Agency: | Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services |
Initial Registration
This section applies to insurance firms that are applying for a license in Michigan for the first time.
| Agency: | Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by insurance type. Baseline of $10 |
Registration Renewal
This section applies to insurance firms that are already licensed in Michigan and need to renew their license.
| Agency: | Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by insurance type. Baseline of $15 |
| Due: | Annually |
| Notes: | Resident and Non-Resident individual and business entity producers do not receive an invoice for license renewal annually. Surplus Lines individual and business entity producers are required to complete the annual renewal process as indicated on the Renewal Information web page. |
Renewal Not Required
Not required
Michigan Producer License - Non-Resident
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $10 |
Renewal Not Required
Not required
Non-Resident individual and business entity (agency) producer licenses are perpetual as long as the home state license remains active and in good standing.
Michigan Resident Producer License
| Agency: | Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $10 |
Renewal Not Required
Not required
Resident business entity (agency) licenses are not required to renew as long as the license remains active and in good standing.
Michigan Third Party Administrator License
| Agency: | Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Notes: | See checlkist here. |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $200 application fee + $25 ceritficate fee + $25 financial statement review fee |
| Required Attachments: | Third Party Administrator Application for Certifcate of Authority, Financial Statement, Consent to Service, Affiliation Statement, Article of Incorporation, other official filinjg, Bylaws or operating agreement of the TPA, chart showing all of TPA applicants controlling subsidiary entities, current organization chart, verification of TPA applicant's owners' respective ownership, copy of sample serice contract, and fee proccessing card. |
Registration Renewal
| Instructions: | In January, an invoice in the amount of $25.00, along with annual statement filing instructions, are emailed to the contact person on file for each TPA. |
| Filing Method: | Email DIFS-Licensing@michigan.gov |
| Agency Fee: | $25 |
| Law: | |
| Penalties: | Failure to file, late filing, or incorrect payment will result in a penalty, including termination of your certificate of authority as a TPA. If concerns result from review of the annual statement filing, DIFS staff will contact the TPA regarding those concerns and how they can be eliminated. The Certificate of Authority is perpetual as long as the TPA is compliant with the TPA Act. |
| Required Attachments: | FIS 0850 Financial Statement for Third Party Administrators FIS 0865 Third Party Administrator Jurat Page for Annual Renewal
|
Michigan Utilization Review License
Not required
Utilization Review licensure is not required on the State level in Michigan.
There is no license for utilization review in Michigan, however, employers and insurers are required to follow state guidelines regarding the review process.
Michigan Vehicle Protection Product Warrantors Registration
| Agency: | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) - Bureau of Professional Licensing |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $250 |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $250 |
| Due: | Annually by June 30 |
Individual Licenses
Michigan Individual Insurance Licenses
Michigan Surplus Lines Producer - Nonresident
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $110 application/license fee + $6.18 transaction fee = 116.18 |
| Notes: | An application is good for six months from the date it was entered into the Department of Insurance and Financial Regulation (DIFS) database. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $100 renewal fee + $5.00 NIPR service fee = 105 |
| Due: | Annually by March 31. The window opens February 1. |
| Law: | |
| Notes: | The non-resident Surplus Lines licensee must comply with his/her home state continuing education requirements and remain in good standing. The status of the license may be verified on the NAIC Producer Database (PDB). If the pre-empting Property and Casualty or Accident and Health license is inactivated for any reason, the Surplus Lines license will be inactivated |
Michigan Surplus Lines Producer - Resident
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $110 application/license fee + $6.18 transaction fee = 116.18 |
| Notes: |
|
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $100 renewal fee + $5.00 NIPR service fee = 105 |
| Due: | Annually by March 31. The window opens February 1. |
Learn about insurance licensing in other states:
