Cafe & Coffee Shop Insurance

Yes. Your commercial espresso machine is covered under the contents and equipment section of your cafe insurance policy against theft, accidental damage, fire, water damage and other insured events. Ensure your espresso machine is listed with an accurate current replacement value, as commercial machines can cost $10,000 to $30,000 to replace.

Yes. Public liability cover on a cafe insurance policy covers claims for customer burn and scald injuries from hot beverages, hot food and heated surfaces. Hot coffee spills - particularly involving children - are among the most common liability claims in cafe environments. Most policies provide $10M to $20M of public liability cover.

Business interruption cover is typically available as a standard component or optional add-on to cafe insurance. It reimburses lost revenue and ongoing fixed costs if your cafe is damaged by an insured event and cannot trade during repairs. For cafes with high rent and staff costs, this cover is essential to survive a period of forced closure.

Yes. Public liability cover on a cafe insurance policy extends to food poisoning and allergic reaction claims from customers. This includes legal defence costs and compensation. Maintaining documented food safety procedures, temperature logs and allergen labelling supports your position in the event of a claim.

Stock spoilage cover from refrigeration or freezer breakdown is available on most cafe insurance policies. It covers the cost of replacing perishable stock that is lost due to equipment failure. Given that cafes hold significant quantities of milk, dairy, fresh food and perishable ingredients, this cover is strongly recommended.

Yes. Your landlord's building insurance does not cover your fit-out, equipment, stock or liability. As a cafe tenant, you need your own insurance to cover these items and to meet the insurance requirements of your commercial lease, which typically requires minimum public liability of $10M or $20M and a current certificate of currency.

Leading commercial insurers offering cafe and coffee shop insurance in Australia include CGU, QBE, Zurich, Vero, Hollard, Allianz and AIG. Each has different pricing and policy features for food service businesses. At Shielded, we compare across these insurers to find competitive cover for your cafe.

Commercial property insurance covers a wide range of property types including office buildings, retail shops, warehouses, factories, shopping centres, hotels, motels, restaurants, cafes, medical centres, child care centres, gyms, salons, laundromats, churches, petrol stations, mixed-use developments and more. Whether you own a single tenancy or a multi-storey complex, we tailor cover to match your property.

Premiums vary based on building value, location, construction type, tenant occupation and risk profile. A small retail shop may cost $1,500 to $4,000 per year, a standard office building $3,000 to $10,000, and a large warehouse or industrial property $5,000 to $25,000+. High-risk tenancies (restaurants, manufacturing) attract higher premiums. Request a free quote through Shielded for an accurate indication.

Commercial building insurance covers the physical structure including walls, roof, floors, fixed fixtures, common areas, car parks, fencing and services (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) against fire, storm, flood, impact damage, malicious damage, theft and accidental damage. It typically also covers demolition and removal costs, professional fees (architects, engineers) and compliance with current building codes when rebuilding.

If you own a commercial building and lease it to tenants, you need commercial landlord insurance. This covers the building structure, landlord's contents (common area furnishings, HVAC systems), public liability for common areas, loss of rental income if the building is uninhabitable after an insured event, and plate glass. Your tenants are responsible for insuring their own contents, stock and fit-out.

Loss of rental income (also called business interruption for landlords) provides replacement income if your commercial property becomes uninhabitable after an insured event such as fire, storm or flood. It covers the rental income you would have received during the repair or rebuild period, typically for up to 12 or 24 months. This is essential for property investors who rely on rental returns.

Plate glass cover is usually an optional add-on, not included in the base building policy. It covers the cost of replacing glass shop fronts, windows, doors, display cases and signage glass that is accidentally broken or vandalised. For retail properties with large glass frontages, this is an important cover to include.

Generally, the landlord insures the building structure, common areas and landlord's fixtures. Tenants are responsible for insuring their own contents, stock, fit-out, trade fixtures and their own public liability. Most commercial leases clearly define these responsibilities. As a landlord, ensure your lease requires tenants to hold adequate insurance and provide certificates of currency.

Contact us at Shielded Insurance on 1800 97 98 99 or reach out to your insurer directly. We recommend notifying us as soon as possible after damage occurs, documenting everything with photos, securing the premises to prevent further damage, and keeping records of all emergency repair costs.

We compare quotes from leading Australian commercial property insurers including CGU, QBE, Zurich, Vero, Hollard, Allianz, AIG and others. The best insurer depends on your property type, construction, tenant occupation and risk profile. As brokers, we do the comparison work to find competitive and suitable cover for your property.

Review your policy annually at renewal, or whenever there are significant changes such as new tenants, renovations, extensions, changes in building use, or updated valuations. Building replacement costs increase over time - if your sum insured does not keep pace with construction cost inflation, you risk being underinsured at claim time. We recommend a professional building valuation every 3 to 5 years.