Restaurant Insurance

Yes. Kitchen fire is a core peril covered under restaurant insurance policies. The cover extends to building damage, equipment damage, stock loss and business interruption resulting from a kitchen fire. However, insurers expect restaurants to maintain compliant fire suppression systems and exhaust cleaning schedules. Failure to maintain these may affect a claim.

Yes. Public liability cover on a restaurant insurance policy covers food poisoning claims from customers, including legal defence costs and compensation. Claims related to allergic reactions and anaphylaxis from undisclosed allergens are also covered. Maintaining documented food safety procedures and allergen management is important for claim support.

Liquor liability is typically included within the public liability section of restaurant insurance policies, or available as a standard add-on. It covers claims arising from the responsible service of alcohol at your restaurant. If you hold a liquor licence, ensure this cover is included in your policy.

Refrigeration and freezer breakdown cover is available on most restaurant insurance policies, either as a standard inclusion or optional extension. It covers the cost of repairing the equipment and replacing spoiled stock. Given the value of perishable stock held by restaurants, this cover is strongly recommended.

Yes. Even if your landlord insures the building, you need your own restaurant insurance to cover your fit-out, kitchen equipment, stock, furniture, tenant liability and business interruption. Your commercial lease will typically require you to hold minimum public liability cover of $10M or $20M and to insure all tenant property.

Yes. Outdoor dining areas, alfresco sections, rooftop terraces and courtyard areas can be covered under your restaurant insurance policy for both property damage and public liability. Ensure these areas are declared to your insurer and that any temporary structures (such as shade sails or marquees) are included in your sum insured.

Leading commercial insurers offering restaurant insurance in Australia include CGU, QBE, Zurich, Vero, Hollard, Allianz and AIG. Each has different appetite for restaurant type, cuisine and cooking methods. At Shielded, we compare across these insurers to find competitive cover for your restaurant.

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.