As a business is there an option to include my commercial property under my business insurance?

Yes, if your business owns the property and you operate from there. If you are solely a landlord, then you will require property owners' insurance. If you are the tenant, you would not have an insurable interest and would not usually be able to insure the building unless you have been made responsible to do so under conditions of the lease.

Can I split out my commercial and residential properties?

Yes you can, in some instances it will make sense to do this, but your insurance adviser will take the time to understand your portfolio and suggest the best course of action.

Does commercial property insurance cover theft?

Theft and theft by tenant is covered under commercial property policies. However, most policy wordings state that there must be evidence of entry by “forcible or violent means” in order for a claim to be valid. When calculating your premium, the underwriter will look at the local crime map to analyse the crime rate in the surrounding area of the property. Should this be in a high crime area, an insurer may look to increase their excess or restrict cover. However, the stance on this can vary from insurer to insurer, therefore, as a broker we are able to search our markets and find a quote with a high quality of cover for a competitive rate.

Does commercial property insurance cover flood damage?

AXA, in their policy wording, define flood as “the escape of water from the normal confines of any natural or artificial watercourse, lake, reservoir, canal, drain, or dam. Inundation from the sea. Rain-induced runoff. Whether resulting from storm or not.” When considering whether to offer flood cover, an underwriter will look at a range of factors. These include; the Environment Agency’s flood map; how far away the property is from a river, sea, or lake and; the history of previous flooding in the surrounding area. With these three factors in mind, they will decide whether to offer standard terms, increase the excess, or exclude flood cover completely. A commercial property policy will provide essential flood and storm cover for the structure and landlords contents looking only to exclude damage in respect of fences, gates, or moveable property in the open.

Does commercial property insurance cover fire?

Fire is covered under all commercial property policies, including when the property is unoccupied. The very basic cover offered by insurers, in particular when a property is vacant, is for fire, lightning, explosion, and aircraft. However, it is important to note that explosion from fire is typically excluded and this is restricted to explosion of gas boilers, or gas used for domestic purposes. Subterranean fire is also excluded.

What happens if the commercial property needs a refurbishment?

Who pays for refurbishments will depend on the terms of the lease. A full repairing lease would make the tenant responsible for the property's maintenance and upkeep. A list of building updates should be kept, and the insurer informed of any work you are carrying out, especially if the work means the property will be unoccupied.

How can I reduce my commercial property insurance premiums?

Insurers may provide discounts if you have taken extra precautions to prevent a claim, such as fitting a high level of fire protection. You may be able to secure additional discounts by committing to a more rigorous risk management regime, but these will always be at the discretion of the insurer.

Property insurance for commercial buildings

Name: Property
Brand: Alan Boswell Group
Rating: 4.9 (1420 reviews)

Business Premises Insurance

Comprehensive cover for your physical assets, including buildings and equipment, protecting against risks such as fire, theft, and natural disasters.

Commercial property Insurance

Commercial portfolio insurance

Unoccupied commercial property insurance

Investment in property is a serious business and there’s no doubt you should take steps to protect your investment.

It’s vital to find an insurance broker like Alan Boswell Group, who understands your needs and knows what issues you may face. Whether you require cover for commercial, mixed use, or unoccupied property, our property experts are on hand to discuss your insurance needs.

With more than 40 years’ experience in the property sector, our dedicated team is perfectly placed to deliver your property insurance needs.

The Alan Boswell Group Difference

We offer a broad range of insurance products designed specifically for commercial properties, which are supported by flexible underwriting, comprehensive wording, and specific covers tailored to the property owners industry. Our proposition is designed to make life easier for you.

How our customers rate us

Excellent service, very nice people - look forward to meeting them again.

Mr Caldecott - Commercial Insurance

4.9/5 1420 reviews

Commercial buildings insurance

We have a range of insurance solutions tailored for commercial properties. We take the time to understand your property, ensuring thorough protection against a range of diverse risks.

Commercial property insurance

Property portfolio insurance

Our service and products are designed for landlords, property owners, and investors with a portfolio of properties. We can cover both your commercial and residential properties to ensure that your properties and investments are adequately looked after.

Property portfolio insurance

Unoccupied commercial property insurance

An insurance solution designed for owners of an unoccupied commercial building. We focus on understanding the unique needs of vacant properties, ensuring comprehensive cover against various risks specific to unoccupied commercial property ownership.

Unoccupied commercial property insurance