Hospitality Property Insurance

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Compare hospitality property insurance quotes from CGU, QBE, Zurich, Vero, Hollard, Allianz and AIG. Cover for buildings, fit-out, equipment, liability and business interruption. Free quotes from Shielded Insurance.

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Hospitality Property Insurance

Specialist property insurance for hotels, restaurants, pubs, cafes and tourism operators across Australia.

Hospitality venues face a unique combination of property and liability risks that require specialist insurance. Commercial kitchens, deep fryers, liquor service, late-night trading, high foot traffic and expensive fit-outs all contribute to a risk profile that standard commercial property policies are not designed to address. Whether you own a boutique hotel, a busy pub, a fine dining restaurant or a neighbourhood cafe, the right hospitality property insurance program protects your investment and keeps your doors open after a loss.

What Does Hospitality Property Insurance Cover?

  • Building: Covers the full replacement cost of the building structure, including walls, roofing, floors, fixed plant and permanent fixtures against fire, storm, flood, impact, malicious damage and other insured events.
  • Fit-Out and Contents: Protects commercial kitchen equipment, bar fit-outs, furniture, audio visual systems, cool rooms, point-of-sale systems and all other business contents.
  • Stock: Covers food, beverages, liquor and other consumable stock held on premises against damage, spoilage and theft.
  • Business Interruption: Covers lost revenue and ongoing expenses if an insured event forces you to close temporarily. For hospitality venues, even a few weeks of closure can be devastating.
  • Public and Products Liability: Covers claims from patrons injured on your premises or who suffer illness from food or beverages served. Most hospitality policies provide $20M of cover.
  • Glass: Covers shopfronts, windows, mirrors and decorative glass throughout the venue.

Key Risks for Hospitality Property Owners
Hospitality venues carry elevated fire risk due to commercial cooking operations, deep fryers, gas appliances and extraction systems. Water damage from burst pipes, blocked drains and cool room failures is another frequent cause of claims. Liquor service introduces assault and intoxication-related liability exposures. Food service creates products liability risks associated with contamination, allergens and food poisoning. High staff turnover increases the likelihood of workplace injuries and equipment misuse. Each of these risks requires careful attention in the insurance program.

What Affects Hospitality Property Insurance Premiums?
Premiums are influenced by:

  • Building Value and Construction: A heritage pub or high-end restaurant fit-out will cost significantly more to insure than a basic cafe tenancy.
  • Venue Type: Hotels and pubs with late-night trading and liquor service attract higher premiums than daytime-only cafes.
  • Commercial Kitchen: The type of cooking (deep frying vs cold preparation), extraction system maintenance records and fire suppression systems all affect premium.
  • Revenue: Business interruption and liability premiums are based on your annual turnover.
  • Location: Properties in flood, cyclone or bushfire zones, or in high-crime areas, attract higher premiums.
  • Claims History: Hospitality venues with clean claims records secure significantly better rates than those with frequent fire, water or liability claims.

Liquor Liability and Responsible Service
Any venue that serves alcohol faces liquor liability exposure. If an intoxicated patron causes injury to themselves or a third party after leaving your venue, you may be held liable. Liquor liability cover protects against these claims. Insurers expect venues to have responsible service of alcohol (RSA) training, CCTV coverage of service areas, incident registers and documented refusal procedures. Compliance with these measures not only reduces your risk but also strengthens your position in the event of a claim.

Spoilage and Refrigeration Breakdown
Hospitality businesses hold significant value in perishable stock. A cool room failure, power outage or refrigeration breakdown can destroy thousands of dollars of food and beverage stock in hours. Spoilage cover and machinery breakdown cover protect against these losses. Ensure your policy includes adequate spoilage limits and covers both mechanical breakdown and external power failure. Regular maintenance records for refrigeration equipment also help support claims.

How Shielded Supports Hospitality Property Owners
Shielded works with CGU, QBE, Zurich, Vero, Hollard, Allianz and AIG to build tailored hospitality property insurance programs. We understand the specific risks facing pubs, hotels, restaurants, cafes, function centres and tourism accommodation. Our brokers ensure your building, fit-out, stock and revenue are properly valued, your liability program meets licensing and lease requirements, and your policy wording addresses hospitality-specific exposures.

How do you get started?

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Cover Options

We can provide different levels of cover for commercial property owners

Building(s)

Protection for your building(s) and structures.

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Public Liability

Protection for third party property damage or personal injury.

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Loss of Income

Protection for loss of rental income due to an insured event.

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Machinery Breakdown

Protection for building plant - lifts, HVAC, fire systems.

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Plate Glass

Protection for glass windows, panels and doors.

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Contents

Protection for landlord contents within the building.

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Types of Commercial Property Insurance

We insure all types of commercial properties across Australia. Select a category to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about Hospitality Property Insurance and General Enquiries

What insurance does a restaurant or cafe owner need?

At a minimum, restaurant and cafe owners need building or fit-out cover, contents and stock insurance, public and products liability, glass, business interruption and workers compensation. If you serve alcohol, liquor liability cover is also essential. Shielded builds tailored packages that cover all of these needs.

How much does hospitality property insurance cost in Australia?

A small cafe or takeaway might pay $2,500 to $6,000 per year for a comprehensive package. A mid-sized restaurant or bar typically pays $6,000 to $15,000. Large pubs, hotels and function centres can pay $20,000 to $80,000 or more depending on building value, revenue and risk profile. Shielded compares options across our insurer panel to secure the best available pricing.

Does hospitality insurance cover food poisoning claims?

Yes. Products liability cover protects against claims arising from food or beverages that cause illness or allergic reactions. This extends to claims from customers who consumed food on-site or via takeaway and delivery. Maintaining food safety records and HACCP compliance strengthens your position if a claim arises.

Is my commercial kitchen equipment covered?

Yes. Commercial kitchen equipment including ovens, deep fryers, dishwashers, extraction systems, cool rooms and refrigeration units is covered under the contents section of your hospitality property policy. Machinery breakdown cover should also be added to protect against electrical and mechanical failure.

What is liquor liability insurance?

Liquor liability insurance covers claims arising from the service of alcohol at your venue. If a patron becomes intoxicated and injures themselves or a third party, your venue may be held legally liable. This cover is strongly recommended for any venue holding a liquor licence and is often required by licensing authorities.

Does hospitality insurance cover loss of refrigerated stock?

Yes. Spoilage cover protects against loss of perishable stock due to refrigeration breakdown, power failure or temperature change. Limits typically range from $5,000 to $50,000 depending on the value of stock you hold. Ensure your limits reflect peak stock levels, particularly before busy periods.

Am I covered if a fire starts in my commercial kitchen?

Yes. Fire is a standard insured event under hospitality property policies. However, insurers expect commercial kitchens to have compliant fire suppression systems, regularly serviced extraction hoods and filters, and documented maintenance records. Non-compliance with fire safety standards could jeopardise a claim.

Can Shielded insure a hotel or pub with accommodation?

Yes. Shielded regularly places insurance for hotels, pubs and motels with accommodation. These venues require building cover, contents, business interruption, public and products liability, liquor liability and often management liability. Our panel of insurers including CGU, QBE, Zurich, Vero, Hollard, Allianz and AIG provides competitive options for accommodation venues of all sizes.

What types of properties can be insured under commercial property insurance?

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.

How much does commercial property insurance cost in Australia?

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.

What does commercial building insurance cover?

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.

Do I need landlord insurance or commercial property insurance?

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.

What is loss of rental income cover?

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.

Is plate glass cover included in commercial property insurance?

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.

Who is responsible for insurance - the landlord or the tenant?

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.

Who do I contact to make a claim?

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.

Which insurers does Shielded compare for commercial property?

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.

How often should I review my commercial property insurance?

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.