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Reinstatement of the insured structure and permanent fixtures after covered damage, including specified fees and costs where the wording provides.
Commercial property insurance
Commercial Property Insurance for UK Businesses
Commercial property insurance can cover insured damage to buildings, contents and stock, with loss of rent or interruption where selected. Compare quotes around ownership, occupancy and reinstatement values; policy terms apply.
FCA-authorised broker
Owners, landlords and occupiers
Cover subject to underwriting
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Working with insurer markets
Market access and cover availability depend on trade, disclosure, claims history, underwriting appetite and policy terms.
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- CHUBB
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- AXA
Preparing building values? Use the commercial property rebuild-cost guide before requesting terms. For premises alongside wider business liabilities, compare commercial combined insurance.
Build the right property cover
Protect the premises, assets and income that keep the business trading
Commercial property insurance can combine several sections. The right structure depends on who owns the building, what is kept there, how it is occupied and the financial effect of an insured loss.
Contents and equipment
Business contents, furniture, machinery and equipment at the declared premises, with limits and definitions set by the policy.
Stock
Declared raw materials, work in progress or finished stock following insured damage, including seasonal increases where agreed.
Business interruption
Selected loss of income, gross profit or additional working costs following an insured property event.
Loss of rent
Insured rental income during a covered interruption, based on the policy basis, indemnity period and declared figures.
Property owners’ liability
Defence costs and covered compensation where ownership of the premises leads to an allegation of third-party injury or damage.
Start with your responsibility
Ownership and occupancy decide which assets you need to insure
Two businesses at the same address can need very different cover. Check the title, lease and contractual responsibilities before setting sums insured.
Owner-occupier
You may need buildings, contents, stock, machinery, liabilities and interruption cover around the same premises.
Commercial landlord
Consider the building, property owners’ liability, loss of rent, tenant type and any communal or landlord-owned contents.
Business tenant
The landlord often insures the structure, while you may remain responsible for contents, stock, tenant improvements, liabilities and interruption.
Mixed-use or portfolio
Residential elements, multiple tenants, vacant units and different construction or uses need to be declared and assessed together.
Do not assume the building belongs on your policy.
A tenant should check the lease and insurance obligations. A property owner should confirm the insured interest, every occupancy and any lender requirements. Explore the landlord and tenant responsibilities guide.
Values and recovery periods
Market value is not the same as reinstatement cost
Buildings are normally insured using a declared reinstatement value, not the price the property could sell for. Contents, stock and interruption figures also need a defensible basis.
- Allow for demolition, debris removal and professional fees where relevant.
- Reflect current rebuilding standards, materials and site access.
- Value contents, machinery and stock on the policy’s stated basis.
- Account for seasonal or fluctuating stock where required.
- Choose an interruption indemnity period that reflects realistic recovery.
- Review declared values after acquisitions, alterations and inflation.
Underinsurance can reduce a claim.
If a declared value is too low, the policy may apply an average or underinsurance condition. Read our commercial rebuild cost guide, use the Commercial Property Insurance Review Guide 2026 to prepare renewal evidence and consider qualified valuation advice where appropriate.
Prepare for underwriting
Information that helps insurers assess the property
Accurate property, occupancy and protection details help the broker approach suitable available markets and compare terms on a consistent basis.
- Full address, ownership, occupiers and business activities.
- Construction, age, roof type, floor area and listed status.
- Reinstatement, contents, machinery and stock values.
- Fire, electrical, heating, security and maintenance controls.
- Flood, subsidence, vacancy and previous damage history.
- Claims history, interruption basis and required indemnity period.
Check the limitations
Property insurance does not cover every cause of loss
Exact exclusions and conditions vary. Common areas needing careful review include gradual damage, maintenance, vacancy, security, high-risk processes and property changes.
Wear, deterioration and defects
Wear and tear, corrosion, gradual deterioration and the cost of correcting defective work are commonly restricted or excluded.
Unoccupancy conditions
Empty premises may require notification, inspections, utilities controls, enhanced security and specialist cover.
Undeclared changes
Changes to tenants, use, construction, processes, values or protections can be material and should be disclosed promptly.
Flood and subsidence
Terms can depend heavily on location and history; exclusions, excesses or specific risk information may apply.
Equipment breakdown
Internal mechanical or electrical breakdown may need a separate section rather than ordinary property damage cover.
Terrorism and cyber events
These risks may be excluded, restricted or available through separate extensions or policies depending on the requirement.
Common questions
Commercial property insurance FAQs
What can commercial property insurance cover?
Depending on the policy, it can cover buildings, contents, fixtures, stock, machinery, property owners’ liability, loss of rent and business interruption after an insured event.
Do tenants need commercial property insurance?
A landlord will often insure the building, but a tenant may still need cover for contents, stock, equipment, tenant improvements, liabilities and business interruption. Responsibility for the building should be checked against the lease.
Should a commercial building be insured for its market value?
Buildings cover is normally based on the declared reinstatement cost rather than the property’s sale price. This can include demolition, professional fees and rebuilding requirements, so specialist valuation advice may be appropriate.
Does commercial property insurance include business interruption?
Not automatically. Where selected, business interruption can cover defined financial losses following an insured property event, subject to the basis of cover, sum insured and indemnity period.
Can an unoccupied commercial property be insured?
Cover may be available, but insurers usually need to know why the property is empty, for how long, and what inspections, security, heating, utilities and maintenance arrangements are in place.
What affects the cost of commercial property insurance?
Pricing can depend on property use, occupants, construction, location, reinstatement and contents values, security, fire protection, flood or subsidence exposure, claims history, vacancy and the covers, limits and excesses selected.
Compare commercial property insurance quotes
Tell us who owns and occupies the premises, how it is used, the values at risk and how long recovery could take. We can help present the property to relevant available markets.