Professional Office Insurance

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

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Professional Office Insurance

Tailored property insurance for office buildings, commercial suites and professional workspaces across Australia.

Professional office buildings and commercial suites present a lower physical risk profile than many commercial property classes, but they are not without significant exposures. Water damage from burst pipes, electrical faults, theft of IT equipment, public liability claims and the revenue impact of any forced relocation all demand proper insurance coverage. Whether you own a multi-storey office tower, a suburban commercial suite or a single professional tenancy, a well-structured office insurance program protects the building, its contents and the income it generates.

What Does Professional Office Insurance Cover?

  • Building: Covers the office building structure including walls, roofing, floors, lifts, common areas, car parks, fixed air conditioning systems and permanent fixtures against fire, storm, flood, water damage, impact and malicious damage.
  • Fit-Out and Contents: Protects office fit-out including partitioning, reception areas, boardroom finishes, kitchenettes, furniture, artwork and signage.
  • Electronic Equipment: Covers computers, servers, network infrastructure, printers, phone systems and audio-visual equipment against damage, power surge and theft.
  • Business Interruption: Covers lost rental income (for building owners) or increased costs of working and additional rent at temporary premises (for occupiers) if an insured event disrupts operations.
  • Public Liability: Covers claims from visitors, clients, couriers and contractors injured on the premises.
  • Theft: Covers loss of contents and electronic equipment following break-in, including damage caused during the theft.

Key Risks for Office Properties
Water damage is the most common cause of claims for office buildings. Burst pipes, blocked drains, air conditioning condensation failures and roof leaks can damage ceilings, flooring, electronic equipment and important documents. Electrical faults in aging switchboards and wiring are another frequent cause of loss. Theft of laptops, monitors and other portable electronic equipment is common, particularly in multi-tenancy buildings with shared access. For office building owners, tenant default and vacancy directly affect rental income. These risks are readily manageable with the right insurance and risk management practices.

What Affects Professional Office Insurance Premiums?
Premiums are influenced by:

  • Building Value: The replacement cost of the building, including lifts, air conditioning, fire systems and common area finishes, drives the building premium.
  • Fit-Out and Contents Value: High-end professional fit-outs with premium finishes cost more to insure than basic office configurations.
  • Electronic Equipment: Offices with significant IT infrastructure, server rooms and specialised equipment attract higher premiums for this section.
  • Building Age and Condition: Older buildings with dated electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems present higher water damage and fire risk.
  • Location: CBD office towers pay different rates to suburban offices. Flood zones and areas with higher crime rates attract higher premiums.
  • Security: Access control systems, CCTV, after-hours security and monitored alarm systems can reduce premiums.

Office Building Owners vs Office Tenants
If you own an office building and lease it to tenants, your building policy covers the structure, common areas and landlord's fixtures. Each tenant is responsible for insuring their own fit-out, contents, electronic equipment and liability. Loss of rent cover protects your rental income if the building becomes untenantable due to an insured event. If you occupy your own office, you need a combined package covering both the building (if you own it) and your business contents, equipment and liability.

Electronic Equipment and Cyber Exposure
Modern offices are heavily reliant on technology. A power surge, lightning strike, water ingress or theft event can destroy servers, workstations and network equipment. Electronic equipment cover protects against these physical damage risks. However, it does not cover cyber attacks, data breaches or ransomware. Professional firms holding client data should consider a separate cyber insurance policy to cover breach notification costs, forensic investigation, business interruption from a cyber event and third-party claims. Shielded can arrange both electronic equipment and cyber cover as part of your office insurance program.

How Shielded Supports Office Property Owners
Shielded places professional office insurance through CGU, QBE, Zurich, Vero, Hollard, Allianz and AIG. We work with building owners, strata managers and business occupiers to structure office insurance programs that cover every exposure. Our brokers ensure building valuations are current, business interruption calculations are realistic, and policy wordings address the specific risks of office properties including water damage, electronic equipment and tenant default.

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.

Highly Reviewed

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 Professional Office Insurance and General Enquiries

What insurance does an office building owner need?

Office building owners need building insurance, public liability, loss of rent cover (business interruption), machinery breakdown for lifts and air conditioning systems, and potentially management liability. If you also occupy part of the building, you will need contents, electronic equipment and professional indemnity cover for your business.

How much does professional office insurance cost?

A single professional office tenancy typically costs $1,000 to $3,500 per year for contents, electronic equipment and liability cover. Building insurance for a small to mid-sized office building ranges from $5,000 to $25,000 per year depending on building value, age and location. Shielded compares quotes across our insurer panel to secure the best available pricing.

Does office insurance cover water damage from burst pipes?

Yes. Sudden and accidental water damage from burst pipes, leaking air conditioning units and roof failures is covered under standard office property policies. Gradual deterioration and damage from known maintenance issues are excluded. Regular plumbing and building maintenance helps prevent claims and keeps premiums competitive.

Is electronic equipment covered under office insurance?

Electronic equipment can be covered under the contents section or as a dedicated electronic equipment section, depending on the policy structure. Dedicated electronic equipment cover is broader, typically including power surge, accidental damage and breakdown in addition to standard fire, theft and water damage cover.

Do I need cyber insurance for my office?

Physical damage to electronic equipment is covered by office property insurance, but cyber attacks, data breaches, ransomware and associated liabilities are not. Any professional firm holding client data, financial records or personal information should seriously consider a standalone cyber insurance policy. Shielded can arrange this alongside your office property program.

What is loss of rent cover for office building owners?

Loss of rent cover reimburses you for rental income lost if an insured event makes the building or part of it untenantable. The indemnity period should allow sufficient time to repair or rebuild the premises and for tenants to return. For office buildings, an indemnity period of 12 to 18 months is common.

Does office insurance cover theft of laptops and IT equipment?

Yes. Theft of electronic equipment following forcible entry is a standard covered event. Some policies also extend to cover portable equipment such as laptops taken off-premises by employees. Check your policy wording for any portability limitations and ensure each high-value item is included in your sum insured.

Can Shielded insure a multi-tenancy office building?

Yes. Shielded regularly places insurance for multi-tenancy office buildings, commercial suites and office parks. We structure programs covering the building, common areas, lifts, car parks, loss of rent and landlord's liability through our panel of insurers including CGU, QBE, Zurich, Vero, Hollard, Allianz and AIG.

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.