Commercial Tenant Insurance

A basic commercial tenant package for a small retail or office tenancy typically costs between $1,200 and $4,000 per year. Tenancies with higher fit-out values, large stock holdings or hospitality operations will pay more. Shielded compares quotes from CGU, QBE, Zurich, Vero, Hollard, Allianz and AIG to find the best price for your situation.

No. Your landlord's building policy covers the base building structure and common areas only. Your fit-out, including partitioning, flooring, lighting, signage and any other leasehold improvements you have installed, is your responsibility to insure.

Failing to hold the insurance specified in your lease is a breach of the lease terms. Your landlord may issue a breach notice requiring you to obtain the cover within a specified period, and persistent non-compliance could provide grounds for lease termination. It is far simpler and cheaper to maintain the required covers from the outset.

Most retail and commercial leases require the tenant to insure all glass forming part of their tenancy, including shopfront windows, display glass and internal glass partitions. A single plate glass panel can cost $2,000 to $5,000 or more to replace, so this cover is well worth carrying.

Business interruption insurance covers your lost revenue and ongoing expenses (such as rent, wages and loan repayments) if an insured event prevents you from trading. For tenants, a major fire or flood could mean months of lost trade while the fit-out is reinstated. The indemnity period should be long enough to cover a realistic worst-case rebuild scenario.

Yes. Shielded regularly arranges multi-site tenant insurance programs that cover all your locations under a single policy. This simplifies administration, ensures consistent cover across sites and often results in better premium rates than insuring each tenancy separately.

Standard commercial tenant policies cover theft following forcible entry by external parties. Employee theft (also known as fidelity cover) is typically not included automatically but can be added as an optional extension. If you handle cash or high-value stock, discuss fidelity cover options with your Shielded broker.

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.