What Is Commercial Property Insurance? (2024)

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What Is Commercial Property Insurance? (1)

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“What is commercial property insurance?” We hear this question a lot from small business owners wanting to know if they need to have it. If your business owns or rents any property or you work out of your home, you’ll need commercial property insurance to protect your building and the contents inside of it.

Key Takeaways

  • Commercial property insurance helps protect your business’ building, equipment, tools, inventory, furniture and personal property.
  • Commercial property insurance also includes business interruption insurance, which can help replace lost income if you can’t operate your business because of a covered loss.
  • The main difference between residential property insurance and commercial property insurance is that commercial property insurance is more comprehensive. It covers additional risks that businesses are exposed to compared to a residential property insurance policy.

What Is Commercial Property Insurance? (2)

What Is Commercial Building Insurance?

Commercial building insurance, also called commercial property insurance, helps protect your business’ owned or rented building, plus the tools and equipment inside. It can also cover your lost income if you must close temporarily due to a covered loss.

It’s a good idea to have commercial property insurance if you’re a home-based business owner too. A typical homeowner’s insurance policy won’t cover your business property and physical assets.

What Does Commercial Property Insurance Cover?

Commercial property insurance helps protect your company’s physical assets, such as your:

Building

Your owned or rented building that you use for business is protected from covered losses like fire, burglary and accidents.

Equipment

Your owned or rented equipment, like computers or machinery, used to operate your business are covered.

Tools

If your company keeps tools and equipment inside your owned or rented property, commercial property insurance can help repair or replace them if they’re damaged or stolen because of a covered loss.

Inventory

If you store inventory at your commercial property or home office, this type of insurance can help replace it if it’s damaged or stolen from a covered loss.

Furniture

Commercial property insurance covers your company’s furniture. If it’s damaged or destroyed in a fire or other covered accident, your insurance can help repair or replace it.

Commercial property insurance also includes business income insurance coverage, which can help replace lost income if your business can’t operate because of covered property damage.

There’s different types of commercial property insurance available to business owners if you need to expand your coverage. Our specialists can help you find customized coverage to meet your business’ unique needs.

What Is Not Covered by Commercial Property Insurance?

It’s important to keep in mind that commercial property insurance doesn’t cover every type of property damage that might come up unexpectedly. This type of insurance doesn’t cover the following events:

  • You or your employees intentionally damage property
  • Your customer drops their laptop when they trip over a box in your office
  • You get into an accident while making a delivery to a customer and damage your vehicle
  • A nearby brook overflows after a heavy rainfall, causing flooding near your building that damages your inventory
  • One of your employees puts a hole in your client’s wall

You can get other types of business insurance to protect your business from these types of unexpected claims. Get a quote for business insurance today and find out how you can fully protect your business from risk.

Who Needs Commercial Property Insurance?

If your business owns, rents or leases a physical location or you operate out of your home, you’ll need commercial property insurance. In addition, if your business owns important equipment, tools or inventory that is stored at your business’s physical location, commercial property is the best way to protect your physical assets from property damage.

Common Questions About Commercial Property Insurance

What Is a Commercial Property Policy in Insurance?

A commercial property insurance protects your owned or leased business property and equipment against covered losses like property damage, theft or burglary.

What Is an Example of Commercial Property?

Buildings or spaces that your business owns, rents or leases are examples of commercial property. In addition, the tools, equipment, inventory, furniture and personal property you use to operate your business are considered commercial property.

Are Temporary Locations Covered in a Commercial Property Insurance Policy?

Yes, if your business temporarily rents a building or physical location, you can get coverage through a commercial property insurance policy.

What Is the Difference Between Commercial and Property Insurance?

If you have a home-based business, you will likely need more coverage than just your homeowner’s insurance policy. A typical homeowner’s insurance policy doesn’t protect your business’ technology, equipment, files or inventory. Your home policy also won’t protect your business property if it’s stored in a different location. Commercial property insurance, also known as commercial building insurance, will ensure you have enough coverage for your company’s physical assets.

What Happens If I Change Locations or Expand?

If you change locations or expand your business, you’ll need to notify your insurer to make sure you’re fully covered. If you need to make updates to your policy or questions about commercial property insurance, call one of our specialists at800-327-3638.

What Does Building Insurance Cover?

Building insurance is another term for commercial property insurance, but it’s the same coverage. Like commercial property insurance, building insurance helps protect your business’ owned or leased building, equipment, tools, inventory, furniture and personal property.

Get a Quote for Commercial Property Insurance

You’ve worked hard to build your business. That’s why protecting your commercial property is essential. Our specialists can help you find the right amount of coverage for your business’ unique needs. Get a fast and free quote for commercial property insurance from The Hartford today.

Last Updated: March 14, 2024

Additional disclosures below.

The Hartford shall not be liable for any damages in connection with the use of any information provided on this page. Please consult with your insurance agent/broker or insurance company to determine specific coverage needs as this information is intended to be educational in nature.

The information contained on this page should not be construed as specific legal, HR, financial, or insurance advice and is not a guarantee of coverage. In the event of a loss or claim, coverage determinations will be subject to the policy language, and any potential claim payment will be determined following a claim investigation.

Certain coverages vary by state and may not be available to all businesses. All Hartford coverages and services described on this page may be offered by one or more of the property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. listed in theLegal Notice.

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG) operates through its subsidiaries under the brand name, The Hartford, and is headquartered in Hartford, CT. For additional details, please read The Hartford’s Legal Notice.

* Customer reviews are collected and tabulated by The Hartford and not representative of all customers.

What Is Commercial Property Insurance? (2024)

FAQs

What Is Commercial Property Insurance? ›

Commercial property insurance definition

Is commercial property insurance the same as general liability insurance? ›

Property insurance: protects against loss or damage to tangible property, such as a building or its contents. It typically covers damage caused by fire, theft, and natural disasters. Liability insurance: protects against financial loss from legal claims made against the policyholder.

What is a commercial insurance example? ›

Different types of commercial insurance products include general liability insurance, professional liability, property insurance, and home-based business insurance. Product liability, vehicle insurance, and business interruption insurance are also types of commercial insurance.

Why is commercial property insurance so expensive? ›

The continued impact of catastrophic events is a major factor driving up costs, along with the increasing cost of capital, financial market volatility and inflation. This is an expense carriers need to pass along to customers.

Which of the following does not apply to commercial property insurance? ›

Commercial property insurance generally does not cover the following, which may be covered with separate insurance policies or additional coverage endorsem*nts: Business vehicles. Employee theft. Employee injury or illness.

What is the difference between general insurance and commercial insurance? ›

General liability insurance helps protect you from claims that your business caused bodily injury or property damage. It can also protect you if someone sues you for advertising injury. Commercial property insurance covers your business' physical location and equipment, whether you own or lease it.

What does commercial general liability coverage a cover? ›

A Commercial General Liability (CGL) policy protects your business from financial loss should you be liable for property damage or personal and advertising injury caused by your services, business operations or your employees. It covers non-professional negligent acts.

What is a commercial property policy in insurance? ›

Commercial property insurance definition

Commercial property insurance protects your company's physical assets from fire, explosions, burst pipes, storms, theft and vandalism. Earthquakes and floods typically aren't covered by commercial property insurance, unless those perils are added to the policy.

What's the difference between commercial and business insurance? ›

Business Insurance. When business owners are looking for the best insurance policy for their business, they often confuse the terms' commercial insurance' and 'business insurance. ' Even though they sound different, they are actually the same, and the terms can be used interchangeably.

What is the standard deductible in a commercial property policy? ›

The standard commercial property insurance deductible is $250. However, other deductible amounts are available and the deductible applies only once per loss.

Who is the largest commercial property insurance company? ›

State Farm. State Farm is the industry's biggest player, both in the US and overseas. The Bloomington, Illinois-based P&C insurance giant wrote almost $78 billion worth of premiums in the past year. The company offers a range of car, home, and small business policies.

Why is my commercial insurance so high? ›

If your business is in an area prone to natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods or earthquakes, your commercial property insurance costs will likely be higher. Insurers look at the local risks, and if Mother Nature's not on your side, it'll cost you.

How much is commercial property insurance in Florida? ›

The size of your business and the value of your assets will also play a role in determining the cost. On average, business property insurance costs between $500 and $2,000 annually.

Who is covered under commercial insurance? ›

If your business property, employee, or client experiences an accident, injury, problem, or event during business operations, it will be covered by commercial insurance.

Which of the following is an example of a commercial property? ›

Commercial property includes office buildings, medical centers, hotels, malls, retail stores, multifamily housing buildings, farm land, warehouses, and garages. In many U.S. states, residential property containing more than a certain number of units qualifies as commercial property for borrowing and tax purposes.

What are commercial tenants usually required to insure against? ›

Commercial General Liability Insurance – coverages include bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury claims arising from the tenant's business operations. Property Insurance – Coverages include damages to the tenant's business property, such as equipment, inventory, and furniture.

What is general liability insurance also known as? ›

Also known as business liability insurance, general liability insurance protects you and your business from “general” claims involving bodily injuries and property damage. Almost every business has a need for general liability insurance.

Is commercial the same as comprehensive general liability? ›

Comprehensive general liability insurance is an outdated term for general liability insurance. Another common name for general liability coverage is commercial general liability (CGL) insurance. It helps protect your business from claims that it caused: Bodily injuries.

What is the difference between a bop and commercial package? ›

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BOP (BUSINESSOWNERS POLICY) AND CPP (COMMERCIAL PACKAGE POLICY)? A BOP is a bundled package of coverages designed for the average small- to medium- sized risk. A CPP is more of a cafeteria style policy where each coverage is tailored to the specific risk and needs of the business.

Who is an insured under a commercial general liability policy? ›

Individual: Named individual and their spouse. Partnership or Joint Venture: Named partnership, named joint venture, partners, members, and their spouse. Limited Liability Company: Named LLC, members, and managers. Organization (Corporation): Named entity, executive officers, directors, and stockholders.

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