Why Office Glass Breakage Claims Are Increasing

Introduction

If you manage an office, you’ve probably noticed how much more glass is involved in day-to-day operations than even a decade ago: full-height glazed entrances, glass partitions, meeting-room walls, balustrades, shopfront-style reception areas, and large external windows designed to maximise light.

That design shift is great for aesthetics and productivity—but it also increases exposure. When glass breaks, it’s rarely a simple “swap a pane” job. It can mean emergency boarding, security concerns, specialist glazing, downtime, and a claim that’s bigger than expected.

So why are office glass breakage claims increasing? It’s not one single cause. It’s a combination of changes in buildings, working patterns, risk behaviour, and the cost and complexity of repairs.

1) Modern office design uses more glass—and more vulnerable glass

The most obvious driver is volume. The more glass you have, the more opportunities there are for accidental damage.

Common features increasing exposure include:

• Floor-to-ceiling external glazing

• Glass doors and side panels in high-traffic areas

• Internal glass partitions and “pods”

• Frameless glass systems (which can be more sensitive to impact)

• Glass balustrades on staircases and mezzanines

Internal glass is often closer to people, furniture movement, and daily wear and tear. It’s also more likely to be struck by:

• Chairs and trolleys

• Office moves and fit-outs

• Deliveries and courier drop-offs

• Cleaning equipment

Even when glass is toughened or laminated, it can still break—especially at edges, corners, or where fixings and fittings create stress points.

2) Hybrid working is changing building usage patterns

Hybrid working hasn’t reduced risk in a straightforward way. In some offices, fewer people are in the building day-to-day, but the building is used differently.

What we’re seeing more often:

• “Peak days” where the office is suddenly much busier (e.g., Tuesdays to Thursdays)

• More hot-desking and reconfiguring spaces

• More frequent furniture moves

• More events, client days, and team sessions in meeting spaces

That stop-start pattern can increase the likelihood of accidental impacts, especially in areas with glass partitions and doors.

There’s also a security angle: quieter buildings can attract opportunistic vandalism or attempted break-ins, particularly for ground-floor offices.

3) Increased footfall from shared and flexible office spaces

Many businesses now operate from:

• Serviced offices

• Co-working spaces

• Multi-tenant buildings

• Mixed-use developments

These environments often have higher overall footfall than a single-tenant office. More people moving through reception areas, corridors, lifts, and shared meeting rooms means more opportunities for accidental damage.

It also creates responsibility questions:

• Who is responsible for the glass—the tenant or the landlord?

• Is it covered under the building insurance or tenant’s contents?

• Does the service charge include glass cover?

When responsibility is unclear, incidents can escalate into claims faster, because nobody wants to absorb the cost.

4) More deliveries, more couriers, more “last-mile” impacts

Offices receive more deliveries than ever: laptops, monitors, office supplies, catering, marketing materials, and personal parcels.

That means:

• More vans and drivers manoeuvring near entrances

• More trolleys and carts moving through lobbies

• More stacking and temporary storage near glazed areas

A surprisingly common scenario is damage at the threshold: glass doors and side panels in reception get clipped by large items being moved in and out.

If your office has a glass-heavy reception, consider whether your delivery process unintentionally routes bulky items through the most fragile part of the building.

5) Security incidents and vandalism are a bigger factor

Glass is often the first target in:

• Opportunistic break-ins

• Vandalism

• Anti-social behaviour near business parks or town centres

Even if the office is not the intended target, ground-floor glazing can be damaged by:

• Stones and thrown objects

• Vehicle impacts

• Attempts to force entry

When security incidents rise in an area, glass claims tend to follow. And because glazing is a “visible” loss, it often triggers immediate action—emergency glaziers, boarding, and security patrols—pushing claim values up.

6) Weather extremes and building movement are stressing glazing systems

The UK has seen more frequent storms, high winds, and rapid temperature swings. While modern glazing is engineered to perform, extreme conditions can expose weaknesses.

Common contributing factors include:

• Wind-borne debris striking windows

• Pressure changes affecting large panes

• Thermal stress (rapid heating/cooling)

• Building movement and settlement affecting frames and seals

Where glazing systems are older, poorly maintained, or incorrectly installed, these stresses can lead to cracking or failure.

7) Repair costs have risen—so more incidents cross the “claim threshold”

Even if the number of breakages stayed the same, claims can increase when costs rise.

Key cost drivers:

• Higher materials costs for specialist glass

• Longer lead times for bespoke panes

• Increased labour costs

• Access equipment (MEWPs/scaffolding) for upper floors

• Out-of-hours emergency call-outs

A pane that once cost “a few hundred pounds” can now become a four-figure invoice once you add emergency response and access requirements.

That means businesses are more likely to claim, particularly if:

• The policy excess is relatively low

• The damage affects security or compliance

• The repair is urgent to keep the office operational

8) Glass claims are often linked to fit-outs, refurbishments, and churn

Office space is being redesigned more frequently. Businesses are:

• Downsizing or upsizing

• Reconfiguring layouts

• Adding meeting pods

• Installing new access control systems

Fit-out periods are high-risk for glass damage because:

• Trades are moving large items

• Tools and materials are stored temporarily

• Protective barriers are not always in place

• Multiple contractors may be working simultaneously

If you’re doing works, check whether your contracts clearly define responsibility for accidental damage and whether you need a contract works policy or specific extensions.

9) Internal glass is a “silent risk” for liability and injury concerns

A glass breakage incident isn’t only a property damage issue. It can quickly become a liability issue if someone is injured.

Potential knock-on exposures include:

• Employers’ liability claims (staff injury)

• Public liability claims (visitors/clients)

• Health and safety investigations

• Reputational damage if the incident is visible to customers

This is another reason claims are increasing: businesses are more cautious and more likely to involve insurers when there’s any possibility of injury, even if the property damage itself is manageable.

10) Claims handling behaviour has changed

Businesses are generally more risk-aware. Many now have:

• Formal incident reporting processes

• Facilities management providers

• Compliance-driven decision-making

That can lead to more claims being notified “just in case,” particularly where:

• A third party is involved

• There’s CCTV footage

• The cost is uncertain

• The incident could escalate

From an insurance perspective, notification practices can influence claim statistics even if underlying risk hasn’t changed dramatically.

What types of office glass are most commonly involved?

While every building is different, common claim areas include:

• Reception entrance doors and side panels

• Ground-floor windows facing public areas

• Meeting-room partitions

• Stairwell and mezzanine balustrades

• Glass panels near fire doors or access-controlled doors

The more “touchpoints” a glass element has—handles, hinges, locks, closers—the more likely it is to be involved in an incident.

How to reduce office glass breakage incidents (and protect your insurance position)

You can’t eliminate glass risk entirely, but you can reduce frequency and severity.

1) Review your highest-risk zones

Walk the building and identify:

• Tight corners near glass

• Delivery routes through reception

• Areas where furniture is regularly moved

• Glass doors that are hard to see

Simple changes—like rerouting deliveries or adding protective barriers—can prevent repeat incidents.

2) Improve visibility and impact protection

Consider:

• Manifestation (decals) on large glass panels

• Door edge guards and protective strips

• Bollards or planters outside vulnerable ground-floor glazing

• Soft-close mechanisms and door checks

These measures can reduce accidental impacts and “walk-into-glass” incidents.

3) Strengthen security

If vandalism or break-ins are a factor:

• Upgrade external lighting

• Review CCTV coverage and signage

• Improve locks and access control n- Consider security film for certain panes

Security film won’t make glass unbreakable, but it can reduce shatter risk and slow entry.

4) Manage contractors and fit-outs properly

During works:

• Use protective sheeting/barriers around glazed areas

• Control access routes for materials

• Ensure contractors have adequate insurance

• Clarify responsibility for accidental damage in contracts

If you’re in a multi-tenant building, coordinate with the landlord or managing agent so responsibilities are clear.

5) Maintain glazing and frames

Preventive maintenance matters:

• Check seals, frames, and fixings

• Address sticking doors and misaligned hinges

• Repair chips and minor cracks early

• Keep records of inspections and repairs

Poor alignment can create stress points that increase the chance of breakage.

Insurance: what cover typically responds to glass breakage?

For many UK businesses, glass breakage can be covered under:

• Commercial combined insurance (material damage section)

• Buildings insurance (for owners/landlords)

• Contents insurance (sometimes for internal glass, depending on wording)

• Specialist glass cover extensions

Key things to check:

• Whether internal glass is included

• Whether accidental damage is required for cover

• Any exclusions for wear and tear, defective workmanship, or gradual deterioration

• Your excess for glass claims

• Security requirements (locks, alarms, occupancy conditions)

If you’re a tenant, confirm whether the lease makes you responsible for plate glass and whether the landlord’s policy includes it.

When should you claim vs pay for repairs yourself?

This is a commercial decision, but consider:

• Total cost including emergency call-out and access equipment

• Whether the incident involves potential injury or third-party allegations

• Whether you’ve had multiple similar incidents (frequency can affect premiums)

• Whether the repair is urgent for security or compliance n- Your excess and any impact on future terms

If in doubt, it’s often sensible to get a quote quickly and then decide whether to claim.

Conclusion

Office glass breakage claims are increasing because offices now contain more glass, buildings are used differently, footfall is higher in shared spaces, security incidents are more common in some areas, and repair costs have risen sharply.

The good news is that many causes are preventable. A focused risk review—especially around entrances, delivery routes, and internal partitions—can reduce incidents and help keep insurance claims (and premiums) under control.

If you’d like, we can also map the most common office glass exposures to the right type of commercial insurance cover, so you know where you stand before an incident happens.

FAQ: Office glass breakage claims

Does business insurance cover broken office windows?

Often yes, but it depends on your policy wording. Buildings or commercial combined policies may cover glass as part of material damage, sometimes requiring accidental damage cover. Always check whether internal glass is included.

Is internal glass (partitions and doors) covered?

Sometimes. Many policies focus on external glazing unless internal glass is specifically included. If your office has lots of internal partitions, it’s worth confirming.

What’s the most common cause of office glass breakage?

Accidental impact is common—especially during deliveries, office moves, and fit-outs. Vandalism and attempted break-ins can also drive claims, particularly for ground-floor glazing.

Can repeated glass claims increase premiums?

Yes. Frequency of claims can influence future premiums and terms, even if each claim is relatively small.

How can we reduce the chance of glass breakage?

Improve visibility (manifestation), protect vulnerable zones (bollards/guards), manage delivery routes, maintain doors and frames, and strengthen security where vandalism is a risk.