Plate Glass Insurance

No. Building insurance covers the structure of the building including glass, but often applies sub-limits on glass claims that may not cover the full replacement cost. Plate glass insurance is a dedicated policy that provides specific cover for glass breakage with adequate limits and typically a lower excess. Many businesses carry both building and plate glass insurance.

Yes. Vandalism and malicious damage are standard covered events under plate glass insurance. This includes graffiti etched or scratched into glass, deliberate breakage and damage from attempted break-ins. Vandalism is the most common cause of plate glass claims for retail properties.

In most retail leases, the tenant is responsible for insuring the shopfront glass. This is typically a specific clause in the lease agreement. Check your lease to confirm the position. If you are a tenant, ensure you have a plate glass policy in place before the lease commences and maintain it throughout the lease term.

Yes, provided the glass type and replacement value are correctly declared on the policy. Toughened, laminated, curved, double-glazed and tinted glass all cost more to replace than standard float glass, so it is important to declare the correct glass type to ensure adequate cover and avoid underinsurance.

Many plate glass policies operate with a nil excess or a very low excess of $100 to $250. This is one of the advantages of a standalone plate glass policy compared to claiming glass breakage under a building policy, where the excess is typically $500 to $1,000 or higher.

Yes. Most plate glass policies include cover for temporary boarding-up or hoarding costs to secure the premises until replacement glass can be installed. This is particularly important for after-hours breakages where glaziers may not be available until the next business day.

Plate glass insurance is offered by major commercial insurers including CGU, QBE, Zurich, Vero, Hollard, Allianz and AIG. It is typically available as a standalone section within a broader commercial property package. Shielded compares plate glass options across our insurer panel to find the right cover for your premises.

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.