Office Insurance

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Compare office insurance quotes from leading Australian insurers. Cover for office buildings, contents, business interruption, liability and glass. Free quotes from Shielded Insurance.

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Office Insurance

Tailored insurance cover for office buildings and commercial office spaces across Australia.

Office buildings and commercial office spaces face a range of property and liability risks that require specialist insurance. Whether you own a standalone office building, a strata-titled suite in a commercial tower, or lease office space to tenants, the right insurance package protects against fire, storm damage, theft, public liability claims and loss of rental income. Standard residential policies do not cover commercial office premises - and a gap in cover could leave you facing significant out-of-pocket costs after a claim event.

What Does Office Insurance Cover?

  • Building Cover: Protects the physical structure of your office building - including walls, roof, floors, fixed fixtures, lifts, air conditioning systems and car parks - against fire, storm, flood, impact damage, vandalism and other insured events.
  • Contents & Equipment: Covers office furniture, computers, servers, telecommunications equipment, fit-out and other business contents against theft, accidental damage and insured events.
  • Business Interruption: If your office is damaged and unusable, business interruption cover reimburses lost rental income or additional operating costs while repairs are completed. This is critical for property owners who rely on tenant rent.
  • Public Liability: Covers legal liability if a tenant, visitor, contractor or member of the public is injured at your office premises. Most policies provide $10M to $20M of cover.
  • Glass Cover: Office buildings typically feature large amounts of plate glass, shopfronts and glazed partitions. Glass cover pays for replacement of broken glass and associated signage.
  • Theft & Vandalism: Protects against break-ins and malicious damage to the building and its contents.

What Affects the Cost of Office Insurance?
Premiums for office building insurance in Australia are influenced by several factors:

  • Building Value: The replacement cost of the building is the primary premium driver. Larger or more complex buildings with lifts, basements and specialised HVAC systems cost more to insure.
  • Location: Offices in flood-prone areas, cyclone regions or high-crime suburbs attract higher premiums. CBD locations may benefit from lower theft risk but higher rebuilding costs.
  • Construction Type: Concrete and steel-framed buildings are generally cheaper to insure than older timber or mixed-construction premises.
  • Age & Condition: Older buildings with outdated electrical wiring, plumbing or roofing may attract loading on premiums.
  • Security & Fire Protection: Buildings with monitored alarms, sprinkler systems, CCTV and security patrols typically attract premium discounts.
  • Claims History: A clean claims record across the property results in more competitive renewal pricing.

Office Insurance for Landlords vs Tenants
If you own an office building and lease it to tenants, your landlord policy should cover the building structure, common areas, landlord fixtures, public liability and loss of rent. Tenants are typically responsible for insuring their own contents, fit-out and tenant liability. If you are a tenant, your office contents and liability policy should cover your furniture, equipment, improvements and any liability arising from your occupation. Strata-titled offices add another layer - the body corporate insures the building, but individual lot owners need cover for their internal fit-out, contents and liability.

Common Risks Facing Office Buildings

  • Fire & Electrical Faults: Faulty wiring, overloaded power boards and kitchen appliances are common causes of office fires. Older buildings are particularly vulnerable.
  • Water Damage: Burst pipes, leaking roofs and air conditioning failures can cause extensive damage to ceilings, walls, flooring and electronic equipment.
  • Storm & Flood: Severe weather events can damage roofs, windows and external cladding. Ground-floor and basement offices face flood risk in many Australian locations.
  • Liability Claims: Slip-and-fall injuries in foyers, stairwells, car parks and common areas are the most frequent liability claims against office property owners.
  • Cyber Infrastructure: Modern offices rely heavily on IT infrastructure. Power surges, lightning strikes and equipment failure can disrupt operations and damage expensive hardware.

Choosing the Right Office Insurance Policy

  • Sum Insured Accuracy: Underinsurance is the biggest risk for office property owners. Have your building professionally valued every two to three years to ensure your sum insured reflects current rebuilding costs including demolition, council fees and professional fees.
  • Business Interruption Period: Most policies offer indemnity periods of 12 to 24 months. For larger or heritage buildings that take longer to rebuild, consider extending this to 36 months.
  • Excess Levels: Higher excess levels reduce your premium but increase your out-of-pocket cost per claim. Balance affordability with the level of excess you can comfortably absorb.
  • Insurer Panel: At Shielded, we compare office insurance across our panel of leading Australian insurers - including CGU, QBE, Zurich, Vero, Hollard, Allianz and AIG - to find competitive cover tailored to your property.

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.

Professional

Our team are professional and experienced in property insurance.

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Shielded is an award winning insurance advisor with thousands of 5 star reviews.

Renewal Management

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

24/7 Claims

Notify of a claim 24/7 365 days a year.

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 Office Insurance and General Enquiries

How much does office building insurance cost in Australia?

Office building insurance typically costs between $1,500 and $8,000 per year for a standard commercial office, depending on building value, location, construction type and covers selected. Larger multi-storey office buildings or those in high-risk areas may pay significantly more. Request a free quote through Shielded to get an accurate price for your property.

What is the difference between landlord office insurance and tenant office insurance?

Landlord office insurance covers the building structure, common areas, landlord fixtures, public liability and loss of rent. Tenant office insurance covers the tenant's contents, fit-out, equipment and liability arising from their occupation. Both policies are important - landlord insurance does not protect tenant property, and vice versa.

Does office insurance cover water damage from burst pipes?

Yes. Most office insurance policies cover sudden and accidental water damage from burst pipes, leaking roofs and plumbing failures. However, damage caused by gradual deterioration, poor maintenance or wear and tear is typically excluded. Maintaining your building's plumbing and roof in good condition is important to ensure claims are paid.

Is business interruption cover included in office insurance?

Business interruption cover is usually available as an inclusion or optional add-on to office building insurance. It reimburses lost rental income or additional operating expenses if your office is damaged by an insured event and cannot be occupied during repairs. The indemnity period typically ranges from 12 to 24 months.

Do I need office insurance if my building has strata insurance?

Yes. Strata insurance covers the building structure and common areas but does not cover your internal fit-out, contents, equipment or individual lot owner liability. You need a separate office insurance policy to protect your improvements, furniture, technology and any liability specific to your tenancy or lot.

Does office insurance cover theft of computers and equipment?

Yes. Office contents cover protects computers, servers, furniture, telecommunications equipment and other business assets against theft, provided there is evidence of forced entry or the theft meets the policy criteria. Portable items taken off-site (such as laptops) may require a portable equipment extension.

What security measures can reduce my office insurance premium?

Monitored burglar alarms, CCTV cameras, deadlock security doors, window grilles, sprinkler systems and after-hours security patrols can all help reduce your office insurance premium. Insurers view these measures as reducing the likelihood and severity of claims.

Which insurers offer office building insurance in Australia?

Leading commercial office insurers in Australia include CGU, QBE, Zurich, Vero, Hollard, Allianz and AIG. Each offers different policy features, excess levels and pricing. At Shielded, we compare options across these insurers to find the right balance of cover and cost for your office property.

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.