Warehouse Insurance

Standard warehouse insurance covers your own stock. If you store goods on behalf of third parties (such as a 3PL operation), you need to ensure your policy includes cover for goods held in trust. You may also need bailees liability insurance to protect against claims from goods owners if their property is damaged or lost while in your care.

Flood cover is available on most warehouse insurance policies, but it may come with higher excess levels or sub-limits in flood-prone areas. Some industrial estates in Australia sit in known flood zones, so it is important to check your policy includes flood and that the cover limits are adequate for your stock levels.

Yes. Damage caused by forklifts to racking, stock, building structures and other equipment is typically covered under a warehouse insurance policy. Forklifts themselves can be insured under the machinery or mobile plant section. Ensure your forklift fleet is listed with accurate values.

Automatic sprinkler systems, smoke detection, fire hydrant systems, fire-rated compartment walls, emergency exits and proximity to a fire station can all help reduce warehouse insurance premiums. In-rack sprinklers for high-bay racking are particularly valued by insurers and can result in significant premium savings.

Machinery breakdown cover is typically an optional extension on warehouse insurance policies. It covers the cost of repairing or replacing machinery and equipment (such as refrigeration units, conveyor systems and compressors) that fail due to mechanical or electrical breakdown rather than an external event like fire or storm.

Yes. Even if your landlord insures the building, you need your own warehouse insurance policy to cover your stock, equipment, fit-out, tenant liability and business interruption. Your lease will typically require you to hold minimum levels of public liability cover and to insure all of your own property within the premises.

Leading commercial insurers offering warehouse insurance in Australia include CGU, QBE, Zurich, Vero, Hollard, Allianz and AIG. Each has different appetite for different warehouse types and stock categories. At Shielded, we compare across these insurers to find competitive cover for your warehouse.

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.