Commercial Landlord Insurance

Tenant default cover is available as an optional add-on with some insurers. It typically covers unpaid rent for a defined period, usually 3 to 6 months, after a tenant defaults on the lease. There is usually a waiting period and the tenant must have been paying rent consistently before the default. Not all insurers offer this cover, so discuss it with your Shielded broker.

Most commercial landlord policies include a vacant property clause that limits or excludes cover if the property has been unoccupied for more than 60 consecutive days. If your property is between tenants, you should notify your insurer immediately. Some insurers will continue cover with amended terms and an increased excess.

Commercial property insurance covers a building occupied by the business owner. Commercial landlord insurance is designed for investment properties leased to tenants and includes additional covers such as loss of rent, tenant default and deliberate tenant damage that are not relevant to owner-occupied properties.

The landlord is responsible for insuring the building structure. Under most commercial leases, the cost of building insurance is an outgoing that can be recovered from the tenant as part of their lease obligations. The tenant is responsible for insuring their own contents, stock, fit-out and business liability.

Loss of rent cover is included in most commercial landlord policies, but the indemnity period and limits vary between insurers. Standard cover is usually 12 months of gross rental income, but longer periods of up to 24 months can be arranged. Ensure the indemnity period is long enough to cover a worst-case rebuild scenario.

Not necessarily. If you own multiple commercial properties, a portfolio or multi-property policy can cover all properties under a single policy. This simplifies administration, provides consistent cover across your portfolio and often delivers premium savings. Shielded can structure portfolio policies across our insurer panel.

Major insurers offering commercial landlord cover in Australia include CGU, QBE, Zurich, Vero, Hollard, Allianz and AIG. Each has different appetite depending on property type, value and location. Shielded compares options across our full panel to secure competitive cover for your investment property.

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.