Commercial Contents Insurance

Yes. Theft is a standard insured event under commercial contents policies. However, most policies require evidence of forcible entry for theft claims. Employee theft (fidelity) is typically excluded from contents cover and needs a separate crime or fidelity insurance policy.

Yes. If you are a tenant and have installed internal improvements such as partitions, flooring, lighting or a kitchenette, these should be included in your commercial contents sum insured. The building owner's insurance does not cover tenant fit-outs, so it is your responsibility to insure them.

Standard commercial contents policies typically cover items while on the insured premises. To cover laptops, tools and equipment taken to client sites, job sites or used by employees working from home, you need a portable equipment or transit extension. This is a common and affordable add-on.

Commercial contents insurance covers all non-building items at your premises under a single sum insured. Asset or plant and equipment insurance individually lists and values specific high-value items. For most businesses, a contents policy with adequate sub-limits is sufficient, but businesses with very expensive individual items may benefit from specified asset cover.

Maintain a current asset register listing all items with descriptions, purchase dates, serial numbers and replacement values. Take photographs or video of your premises regularly. Keep purchase receipts and invoices in a secure off-site or cloud location. Good records significantly speed up the claims process and help ensure you receive the correct settlement.

Physical damage to computer hardware is covered, but the data stored on those devices is typically not covered under a contents policy. Data restoration, cyber extortion and business costs arising from data loss require a separate cyber insurance policy. Shielded can arrange both contents and cyber cover as part of your insurance program.

Commercial contents insurance is offered by all major Australian business insurers including CGU, QBE, Zurich, Vero, Hollard, Allianz and AIG. Each insurer has different features, sub-limits and pricing. Shielded compares options across our insurer panel to find the best fit for your business type and contents value.

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.