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We work with leading UK commercial property & technology insurers
MANAGING IT INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVER ROOM RISKS IN OFFICE BLOCKS
Why Insurers Focus on Server Rooms & IT Infrastructure
Many office blocks now house data rooms, server racks, comms equipment and cloud connectivity hubs. These spaces combine high-value hardware with concentrated fire, overheating and power failure risk.
Understanding and managing these exposures is important both for buildings insurance and for business interruption or technology-related cover for the occupants.
Key Risks Associated With Server Rooms & IT Infrastructure
Insurers will look closely at how your server rooms and IT spaces are designed, protected and managed.
- Fire & Overheating Risk – dense equipment, cabling and power supply in confined rooms increase fire risk without adequate cooling and detection.
- Power Failure & Surge – reliance on UPS systems, generators and distribution boards can introduce surge and outage exposures.
- Water & Leak Damage – pipework above server rooms, sprinkler discharges or air-con condensate leaks can cause major hardware loss.
- Security & Access Control – poor access controls or shared rooms increase tampering, theft and accidental damage risk.
- Location in the Building – basements, plant areas or poorly ventilated rooms can amplify heat and flood exposure.
- Inadequate Fire Suppression – traditional sprinkler heads may not be ideal for sensitive electronics. Insurers may prefer gas or clean agent systems in critical rooms.
- Cabling & Housekeeping – unmanaged cables, raised floors and ceiling voids can hide fire or trip hazards.
- Dependence on On-Prem Hardware – where business-critical functions are hosted on-site, outages can trigger substantial business interruption claims.
- Insufficient Monitoring – lack of temperature, humidity and leak detection systems can delay response to developing issues.
How Office Block Insurance Can Protect IT Infrastructure
Cover can be structured so that both the building owner and the tenants are better protected against IT-related losses.
Building & Contents Protection
- Buildings insurance for fabric, fixtures and any landlord-owned risers and cabling.
- Contents/computer cover for servers, switches, racks and associated IT hardware.
- Optional cover for accidental damage, power surge and short-circuit (where available).
- Consideration for specialist access, clean-up and decontamination after a fire or water event.
Business Interruption & Wider Technology Insurance
- Business Interruption cover to protect rental income or tenant operations following insured damage.
- Cyber insurance for data breaches, ransomware and network security incidents.
- Technology-specific extensions for software, data re-creation and increased cost of working.
- Clear alignment between landlord cover and tenant IT insurance responsibilities.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Are server rooms automatically covered under office block insurance?
Server and comms rooms are generally covered, but insurers may apply conditions, questionnaires or limits depending on the concentration of values and risk controls in place. We can review your schedule and wording to confirm.
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Do we need special fire suppression for our server room?
Not all server rooms require gas or clean agent systems, but insurers will expect suitable fire detection, extinguishers and electrical controls. Higher-value or business-critical rooms may justify enhanced suppression. We can discuss what is appropriate for your site.
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Is damage from overheating or power surge covered?
Some policies include cover for damage caused by overheating, electrical faults or power surges, while others limit this or require specific extensions. We’ll check the detail of your current insurer’s wording and suggest options if there are gaps.
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Who insures the servers – the landlord or the tenant?
Typically, the landlord insures the building and landlord-owned infrastructure, while tenants insure their own IT equipment and data. However, this can vary by lease. We can help clarify responsibilities and ensure cover aligns with your documentation.
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Can you review our office block policy for IT infrastructure risks?
Yes. We can review your existing office block and contents policies, highlight how server rooms and IT infrastructure are treated, and recommend improvements to protect both landlords and tenants.