Office Buildings Insurance Policy Information
Office Buildings Insurance. Are you the owner of an office building? If so, whether you use the building yourself or you lease it to tenants, it's important that you properly protect yourself with the right type of insurance. There are several issues that could affect and office building, and these issues could come with a hefty price tag. Insurance is the best way to protect yourself from financial turmoil should a problem arise that needs to be addressed.
Office buildings lease commercial space to various tenants, including professional service providers, medical providers, and sales offices. The leases can be offered on a short-term basis or extend through a number of years.
What is office buildings insurance? Why do you need it? How much will this type of coverage cost? Below, you'll find the answers to these questions so that you can make sure your office properties are properly protected.
Office buildings insurance protects your commercial properties from lawsuits with rates as low as $99/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.
Below are some answers to commonly asked office building insurance questions:
- What Is Office Buildings Insurance?
- How Much Does Office Buildings Insurance Cost?
- Why Do Office Buildings Need Insurance?
- What Does Office Building Insurance Cover?
What Is Office Buildings Insurance?
Office buildings insurance is a type of property insurance that provides coverage for commercial properties that are used primarily for office purposes.
This type of insurance protects the building and its contents, such as office equipment, furniture, and computers, against loss or damage caused by events such as fire, theft, and natural disasters. Additionally, it may also provide liability coverage in the event that a third party is injured or property is damaged while on the office property.
The coverage can be customized to meet the specific needs of the office building owner or tenant, and can help to ensure that the business operations can continue with minimal interruption in the event of a loss.
How Much Does Office Buildings Insurance Cost?
The average price of a standard $1,000,000/$2,000,000 General Liability Insurance policy for small office buildings ranges from $99 to $159 per month based on location, size, payroll, sales and experience.
There are a variety of factors that will influence the cost of a office building insurance policy. The expense is largely dependent on the value of assets, including the structure itself and the items that it contains. There are other factors that will affect the price of this type of coverage. These factors include:
- The location of the office building.
- The type of materials that building is constructed out of.
- The size of the building; how many people it can hold.
- Whether or not you have theft and fire prevention elements installed; a fire alarm, sprinkler, and security system, for example.
Why Do Office Buildings Need Insurance?
If you own an office building, it's exceptionally important that you invest in insurance to protect it. The cost to repair the structure or to replace any damaged equipment, machinery, and inventory within the building if a fire, explosion, or any other act of damaging situation arises can be exorbitant. Trying to cover those expenses on your own could end up being financially crippling. It may be so expensive, in fact, that there's a very real possibility that you may have go bankrupt or have to sell the building.
If your office space is covered with commercial property insurance, the financial burden that may be associated with any of the above-mentioned claims will be taken off of your shoulders. Instead having to pay for those expenses yourself, the company that issues your policy will cover the cost for you. In other words, office building insurance can help you avoid financial devastation.
In addition to protecting you financially, office buildings insurance can also protect you legally. Owners of any commercial space are required, by law, to carry property insurance. If you fail to have the right coverage, you could end up facing stiff penalties, and possibly even jail time.
What Does Office Building Insurance Cover?
Also known as commercial property insurance, office building insurance is a policy that's designed to protect the physical structure of a building, as well as the contents inside. This type of insurance covers the following elements of an office building:
- The walls, flooring, roof, windows, doors, and other physical elements of the building
- Exterior signage and lighting
- Landscaping, fencing, walkways
- Furnishings inside the building, such as desks, chairs, and filing cabinets
- Documents that may be located inside the building
- Inventory and supplies
- Equipment and machinery, such as dollies, loaders, printers, and computers
- Anyone else's property that is housed within the building; employee briefcases, handbags, and clothing, for example
Depending on the specifics of a policy, office building insurance may also cover business interruption. If your office building is damaged in a fire, for example, and operations have to cease during the recovery effort, the policy may replace any wages that are lost while the office space is out of commission. This type of insurance provides protection against a variety of risks, including:
- Fire
- Pipe leaks or bursts
- Storm damage
- Explosions
- Vandalism
- Theft
While office buildings insurance does provide coverage for a variety of risks, there are certain elements that it may not cover. Generally, commercial property insurance doesn't cover damages caused by floods, earthquakes, or volcanoes.
Office Building's Risks & Exposures
Premises liability exposure can be high due to the number of tenants and visitors to the property. All buildings should meet life safety codes and be in compliance with codes on smoke and fire detection and fire extinguishers.
To prevent slips, trips, and falls, all premises must be well maintained with aisle ways free of debris, flooring in good condition, no frayed or worn spots on carpet, and no cracks or holes in flooring. The number of exits must be sufficient and well marked, with backup lighting in case of power failure. Steps should have handrails, be well lighted, marked, and in good repair. Parking lots and sidewalks need to be in good repair, with snow and ice removed, and generally level and free of exposure to slip and fall.
Security of tenants and visitors, both inside the building and in parking areas, is rapidly becoming the responsibility of the owner or operator of the premises. There should be a maintenance activity log to document the owner's response to tenants' needs. Personal injury losses may occur due to alleged wrongful eviction, invasion of privacy, or discrimination. Clear guidelines for tenant acceptability are important.
Workers compensation exposure hazards are normally service, janitorial, or maintenance-related. Back pain, hernias, sprains, and strains from lifting and working from awkward positions are common. Skin and lung irritation can result from working with cleaning chemicals and paint. Interaction with tenants or guests can be difficult. Employees should be trained in dealing with difficult situations.
Property exposure is low. Ignition sources include electrical wiring, heating, and air conditioning systems. Some tenants may have small kitchenettes for use by their employees. The owner should be aware of the electrical demands of tenants to ensure that there is adequate wiring in place to handle it. All wiring should be up to code. Each unit may have a separate heating system, or there may be a boiler to provide heat to all units.
All systems must be properly maintained on an ongoing basis. There should be hard-wired smoke/fire alarms in all units and common areas. If alarms are battery-powered, there must be documented records of periodic maintenance. Upgrades should be handled with appropriate permits. If the building has any unique architecture or design, valuation may be a concern. Business interruption could be a concern should a loss occur and tenants are unable to access the building.
Crime exposure is from employee dishonesty. Background checks should be conducted on all employees. Rents are generally due on the first of each month. Receipts must be provided for all payments, and reconciliation between receipts and money received. Deposits should be made promptly with appropriate security provided. All orders and disbursements must be handled by separate individuals. Access to units must be limited to those authorized to do so, and access to master keys must be strictly controlled. Units should be rekeyed when there is a change in tenant.
Inland marine exposures are from accounts receivables for rents due, computers, and valuable papers and records for leases, mortgages, and tenants' information. Duplicates of all data must be kept off premises for easy replication in the event of a loss. Contractors' equipment may be needed if maintenance of yard and buildings is handled internally. Some building owners may display fine arts in the common areas.
Business auto exposure is generally limited to hired & non-owned for employees running errands. If there are owned vehicles, such as those used for servicing, any driver must have a valid driver's license and acceptable MVR. Routine maintenance on owned vehicles should be documented.
Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification
- SIC CODE: 6512 Nonresidential Building Operators
- NAICS CODE: 531120 Lessors of Nonresidential Buildings (except Miniwarehouses)
- Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 9012 Building or Property Management - Property Managers and Leasing Agents & Clerical, Salespersons, 9015 Building or Property Management - All Other Employees
6512: Nonresidential Building Operators
Division H: Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate | Major Group 65: Real Estate | Industry Group 651: Real Estate Operators (except Developers) And Lessors
6512 Nonresidential Building Operators: Establishments primarily engaged in the operation of nonresidential buildings.
- Bank buildings, operation of
- Insurance buildings, operation of
- Lessors of piers, docks, and associated buildings and facilities
- Operators of commercial and industrial buildings
- Operators of nonresidential buildings
- Retail establishments, property operation only
- Shopping centers, property operation only
- Theater buildings (ownership and operation)
Office Buildings Insurance - The Bottom Line
To find out more about office buildings insurance, how much coverage you should carry, and how much this type of policy will cost, consult with a broker that specializes in commercial property insurance.
Additional Resources For Commercial Property Insurance
Read up on small business commercial property insurance, including how business property insurance protects your company's building's and/or their contents from damage, destruction, theft and vandalism.
- Apartment Building
- Business Interruption
- Commercial Flood Insurance
- Commercial Property
- Condo Association
- Contractors Equipment
- Duplex Rental Property
- Dwelling
- Electronic Data Processing Equipment
- Equipment Breakdown Protection Insurance
- Homeowners Association Insurance
- Inland Marine
- Jewelers Block
- Manufacturing And Mercantile Rental Property
- Mobile Home Park
- Non-Residential Building Operators
- Office Buildings
- Shopping Center & Strip Mall
- Vacant Land
- Vacant Property
- Specialty Habitational
- Specialty Inland Marine
- Specialty Property
Commercial property insurance is a type of insurance that provides coverage for businesses against losses or damages to their business property. This can include buildings, equipment, inventory, and other assets owned by the business.
There are several types of commercial property insurance, including standard property insurance, business interruption insurance, and contents insurance.
- Standard property insurance covers damages to the physical structure of the business, such as the building, walls, and roof.
- Business interruption insurance covers lost income and expenses incurred during the repair or rebuilding process.
- Contents insurance covers damages to personal property within the business, such as office equipment and furniture.
Commercial property insurance is important for businesses of all sizes, as it helps protect against financial losses due to unforeseen circumstances, such as natural disasters, theft, or vandalism. It can also provide liability coverage in case of accidents or injuries on the business property.
To determine the appropriate level of property insurance for a business, it is important to consider the value of the business's assets, the location of the business, and the potential risks it faces. Many businesses choose to work with an insurance agent or broker to help identify the best coverage options for their specific needs.
Overall, commercial property insurance is a crucial part of any business's risk management strategy, helping to protect against financial losses and ensuring the long-term viability of the business.
Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Building, Business Personal Property, Business Income and Extra Expense, Employee Dishonesty, Money and Securities, Accounts Receivable, Computers, Signs, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Employee Benefits, Umbrella, Hired and Non-owned Auto & Workers Compensation.
Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Earthquake, Equipment Breakdown, Flood, Computer Fraud, Forgery, Contractors' Equipment, Fine Arts, Cyber Liability, Employment-related Practices, Automobile Liability and Physical Damage, and Stop Gap Liability.
