Commercial property insurance may cover buildings, tenant improvements, equipment, inventory, furniture, outdoor property, and other business assets after a covered loss. The policy should reflect every location, property type, valuation method, and significant limit or sublimit.
Replacement-cost valuation generally pays to repair or replace covered property with comparable new property, subject to policy conditions. Actual cash value generally accounts for depreciation, so it can result in a lower payment even when the stated property limit is unchanged.
A coinsurance clause may reduce a claim payment if the insured property value is below the percentage required by the policy. Accurate building and business-property values—and an agreed-value option when appropriate—help avoid an unexpected underinsurance penalty.
Standard commercial property insurance generally excludes flood damage, including rising water. Separate commercial flood coverage can be arranged for eligible buildings and contents, with its own limits, deductibles, waiting period, and basement or below-grade restrictions.
Business income coverage may replace qualifying lost income and continuing expenses after covered property damage. Extra expense can help pay reasonable additional costs to reduce the shutdown, such as temporary space or equipment, subject to the policy’s period and limits.
Provide each location, occupancy, construction, square footage, roof and system updates, protection such as sprinklers or alarms, building and contents values, inventory peaks, prior losses, and desired valuation. Leases and lender requirements can reveal additional insurance obligations.