Pub & Bar Insurance

Liquor liability insurance covers your legal liability for harm caused by the service of alcohol, including over-service to patrons. It protects against claims from injured patrons, third parties harmed by intoxicated patrons (such as drink-driving victims), and legal defence costs. It is essential for any licensed venue in Australia.

Yes. Most pub insurance policies include an assault and battery extension that covers the venue's legal liability for injuries resulting from altercations between patrons. However, this cover typically only responds where the venue has taken reasonable steps to maintain a safe environment, including appropriate security staffing and crowd management.

Yes. The commercial kitchen, including all cooking equipment, extraction systems, cool rooms and food stock, is covered under the contents and building sections of your policy. Insurers require compliance with kitchen fire safety standards, including regular cleaning of extraction systems and properly maintained fire suppression equipment.

Live entertainment is typically covered within a comprehensive pub insurance package, but you need to disclose all entertainment activities to your insurer. This includes live music, DJs, comedy nights, trivia events and any outdoor entertainment in beer gardens. Failure to disclose these activities could result in a claim being declined.

If you own the gaming machines, they can be insured under the contents section of your policy. If the machines are owned by a third-party operator, they are typically insured by that operator. Either way, your public liability policy should cover patron claims related to the gaming area, and your business interruption cover should account for gaming revenue.

Your public liability insurance covers claims from patrons injured in your beer garden, whether from slips, falls, furniture failure or other incidents. Ensure your beer garden furniture is regularly inspected, surfaces are maintained, and any steps or level changes are clearly marked. Good maintenance records support your defence in the event of a claim.

Yes. Public liability and products liability cover protects against claims from patrons who suffer food poisoning from meals served at your venue. Insurers expect compliance with food safety standards, including proper food handling, storage temperatures and hygiene practices. If you provide catering for functions, confirm that off-premises food service is also covered.

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.