Industrial & Manufacturing Property Insurance

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Compare industrial and manufacturing property insurance quotes from CGU, QBE, Zurich, Vero, Hollard, Allianz and AIG. Cover for buildings, plant, machinery, stock, liability and business interruption. Free quotes from Shielded Insurance.

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Industrial & Manufacturing Property Insurance

Specialist property insurance for factories, warehouses, manufacturing plants and industrial facilities across Australia.

Industrial and manufacturing properties house some of the highest-value assets in commercial insurance. Heavy machinery, raw materials, finished goods, hazardous substances and complex production processes create a concentrated risk environment where a single loss event can run into the millions. Whether you operate a food processing plant, an engineering workshop, a logistics warehouse or a heavy manufacturing facility, specialist industrial property insurance is essential to protect your building, plant, stock and revenue.

What Does Industrial Property Insurance Cover?

  • Building: Covers the factory, warehouse or industrial building structure including walls, roofing, floors, loading docks, hardstand areas, fencing and fixed plant against fire, storm, flood, impact, explosion and other insured events.
  • Plant and Machinery: Covers production equipment, processing lines, forklifts, conveyor systems, compressors, generators and all other plant and machinery. This section can cover both property damage and mechanical/electrical breakdown.
  • Stock and Raw Materials: Protects raw materials, work in progress, finished goods and packaging held on premises or in transit.
  • Business Interruption: Covers lost gross profit, increased costs of working and ongoing expenses if an insured event halts production. For manufacturing operations, the reinstatement period for specialised equipment can be 12 to 24 months.
  • Public and Products Liability: Covers claims from third parties injured by your operations or by products you manufacture, process or distribute.
  • Machinery Breakdown: Covers sudden and unforeseen mechanical or electrical breakdown of plant and equipment, which is not covered under standard property sections.

Key Risks for Industrial and Manufacturing Properties
Fire remains the most significant risk for industrial facilities, particularly those involving welding, spray painting, chemical storage, combustible dust or high-temperature processes. Explosion risk is elevated where flammable gases, vapours or dusts are present. Water damage from fire suppression activation, burst pipes or roof leaks can destroy stock and damage equipment. Contamination events involving hazardous materials can trigger clean-up costs and third-party claims. Supply chain dependency means that damage to a single supplier's facility can halt your production, making contingent business interruption an important consideration.

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

  • Building and Plant Values: The total replacement cost of buildings, plant and machinery is the primary premium driver. Industrial assets are expensive to replace and lead times for specialist equipment can be lengthy.
  • Industry and Processes: A cold storage warehouse presents a very different risk to a chemical manufacturing plant. The nature of your processes directly affects your premium.
  • Fire Protection: Sprinkler systems, fire detection, hydrant systems and fire brigade proximity significantly reduce premiums. Unsprinklered industrial buildings attract substantially higher rates.
  • Hazardous Materials: Storage and use of flammable, toxic or corrosive materials increases both property and liability premiums.
  • Location: Proximity to other industrial risks, flood zones, bushfire areas and emergency services all affect pricing.
  • Claims History: A history of fire, machinery or liability claims will increase premiums at renewal.

Machinery Breakdown and Equipment Failure
Standard industrial property policies cover damage from external events such as fire and storm but exclude mechanical and electrical breakdown of plant and equipment. Machinery breakdown cover fills this gap, protecting against sudden failure of motors, bearings, gearboxes, compressors, boilers, electrical switchgear and electronic control systems. For manufacturers relying on a single production line, a critical equipment failure can halt output for weeks. Combining property damage and machinery breakdown cover ensures complete protection for your plant.

Products Liability for Manufacturers
Any business that manufactures, processes or assembles products for sale carries products liability exposure. If a product you make causes injury or property damage to a third party, you may be held liable regardless of negligence under Australian Consumer Law. Products liability claims can be large, particularly in sectors such as food manufacturing, building products, automotive components and electrical goods. Adequate products liability limits, typically $10M to $20M, are essential.

How Shielded Supports Industrial Property Owners
Shielded places industrial and manufacturing property insurance through CGU, QBE, Zurich, Vero, Hollard, Allianz and AIG. We have experience insuring factories, warehouses, distribution centres, processing plants and heavy industrial facilities across Australia. Our brokers work with you to accurately value buildings, plant and stock, structure business interruption cover around realistic reinstatement timeframes, and ensure your liability program addresses both operational and product risks.

How do you get started?

We make commercial property insurance fast and easy at Shielded. Get a quote today.

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Why choose Shielded

Protect yourself with a policy backed by a reputable and award winning insurance advisor.

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Our team are professional and experienced in property insurance.

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Our team will manage your renewals and keep you informed and up to date.

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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 Industrial & Manufacturing Property Insurance and General Enquiries

What insurance does a factory or manufacturing business need?

At a minimum, a factory or manufacturing business needs building insurance, plant and machinery cover, stock insurance, public and products liability, business interruption, machinery breakdown and workers compensation. Depending on your operations, you may also need environmental liability, transit cover and management liability.

How much does industrial property insurance cost in Australia?

A small workshop or warehouse might pay $4,000 to $12,000 per year. A mid-sized manufacturing facility typically pays $15,000 to $50,000. Large industrial complexes with high plant values and hazardous processes can exceed $100,000 annually. Shielded compares quotes from CGU, QBE, Zurich, Vero, Hollard, Allianz and AIG to find the most competitive option.

Does industrial property insurance cover machinery breakdown?

Standard property policies do not cover mechanical or electrical breakdown of plant and equipment. Machinery breakdown cover must be added as a separate section or standalone policy. Given the cost and lead time involved in replacing industrial machinery, this cover is strongly recommended for any manufacturing operation.

What is business interruption cover for a manufacturing business?

Business interruption cover replaces your lost gross profit and pays for increased costs of working while your operations are disrupted by an insured event. For manufacturers, the indemnity period must account for the time needed to source and install replacement equipment, which for specialist machinery can be 12 to 24 months.

Do I need products liability insurance if I manufacture goods?

Yes. Under Australian Consumer Law, manufacturers can be held strictly liable for products that cause injury or property damage regardless of fault. Products liability insurance covers legal defence costs and compensation payments. Limits of $10M to $20M are standard, though higher limits may be needed depending on the products you manufacture.

Does having a sprinkler system reduce my insurance premium?

Yes, significantly. A compliant sprinkler system can reduce industrial property premiums by 30% to 60% or more. Insurers recognise that sprinklers dramatically reduce the severity of fire losses. The system must be maintained, inspected and tested to Australian Standards to qualify for the discount.

Is my stock covered while in transit?

Standard industrial property policies typically cover stock at the premises only. Cover for stock in transit, whether by your own vehicles or third-party carriers, requires a separate transit or marine cargo policy. Shielded can arrange transit cover alongside your property program.

Can Shielded insure a warehouse or distribution centre?

Yes. Shielded regularly places insurance for warehouses, distribution centres and logistics facilities. These properties require building cover, contents and stock insurance, business interruption, liability and often machinery breakdown for racking systems, forklifts and conveyor equipment. Contact our team for a tailored quote.

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.