Motel Insurance

Yes. Most motel insurance policies can include the on-site manager's residence as part of the building cover. The manager's personal contents can also be covered under the policy. Ensure both the residence and your personal belongings are listed with accurate sum insured values.

Yes. Public liability cover on a motel insurance policy covers claims for guest injuries at the swimming pool, spa and pool surrounds. Pool incidents - including drowning, near-drowning and slip injuries - are among the most serious liability claims motel operators face. Maintaining compliant pool fencing, signage and supervision is critical.

Business interruption cover is typically included or available as a standard component of motel insurance. It reimburses lost room revenue and ongoing fixed costs if the motel is damaged and cannot operate. For owner-operators, this cover is essential as it replaces the income you depend on for your livelihood.

Most motel insurance policies offer flood cover, though premiums and excess levels may be higher for motels in flood-prone regional towns. Some locations with repeated flood history may face cover restrictions. If your motel is in a known flood area, confirm that flood is included in your policy and that the cover limits are adequate.

Accidental damage by guests to motel rooms and contents is typically covered under a motel insurance policy. However, intentional or malicious damage by guests may be treated differently - some policies cover it while others exclude it or apply a specific excess. Check your policy wording or discuss this with your broker.

If your motel includes a restaurant, bar or bistro, these operations should be covered under your motel insurance policy. This includes building cover for the food service areas, contents and equipment cover, and public liability for food-related illness and liquor liability. Ensure these activities are declared to your insurer.

Leading commercial insurers offering motel insurance in Australia include CGU, QBE, Zurich, Vero, Hollard, Allianz and AIG. Each has different appetite for motel size, location and facilities. At Shielded, we compare across these insurers to find the right motel insurance package for your 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.