Commercial property insurance is a type of business insurance that protects the property that your business owns. In the event of disasters such as fire, windstorms, flood, and vandalism, commercial property insurance can be tailored to protect against losses and damages.
This insurance can cover almost any physical assets your business owns, from the building itself to inventory, furniture, equipment, and business records.
What Does Our Commercial Property Insurance Cover?
Coverage depends on the policy you hold. A named perils policy only protects against the basic events specified in the policy, while a Special Form policy offers protection against a broader range of events. Flood and Earthquake perils are usually purchased separately, but can occasionally be added.
There are also multiple ways that you can receive compensation for damaged property; replacement cost coverage pays for the cost of rebuilding or replacing what was lost using similar materials, and actual cash value coverage pays the cost of the present-day property value, considering depreciation. The valuation option you choose for your business will ultimately depend on how you want to recover from a loss.
Businesses That Need Commercial Property Insurance
Atlas Insurance offers a variety of more specific commercial property insurance types, including builder’s risk insurance, cargo insurance, equipment insurance, commercial flood insurance, and business interruption/business income insurance.
This type of insurance is especially useful for businesses who own significant property and physical assets. If your business has any type of property that you would like to have protected, commercial property insurance is a worthwhile consideration.
Cost Factors
The costs for protection will depend on the location, construction, occupancy, and protection. Location near the ocean or other bodies of water increase the likelihood of a flood loss. Likewise, locations near brush may increase the fire hazard.
The heartier the construction of the building, the less likely it will be damaged. Wood frame buildings can burn and are much more susceptible to wind than fire resistive concrete structures. Occupancies with high flammable materials significantly increase the fire risk, while sprinklered buildings reduce the fire severity risk.
Trust A Reputable Insurer From Atlas Insurance Agency, A Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC
If your business owns a building or other valuable assets, commercial property insurance can be a valuable layer of protection against unexpected loss or damages. Costs to repair or replace valuable assets are often high and can cause undue hardship on your business.
Atlas Insurance Agency, A Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC understands that an insurance policy can make costs much lower when it is customized to suit the specific needs of your business. Reach out to us by calling us at (808) 400-6680 or by requesting a quote online to learn more about how we can help you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Property Insurance
Commercial property insurance covers physical assets your business owns or leases, including the building, inventory, furniture, equipment, business records, signage, and outdoor fixtures. Coverage responds to losses caused by fire, windstorms, vandalism, theft, smoke, falling objects, and other named or covered perils. Some valuables like cash, computer data, and high-value items may have sublimits, and certain perils like flood and earthquake typically require separate policies.
A named perils policy only covers the specific events listed in the policy, such as fire, lightning, theft, vandalism, and windstorm. A Special Form policy, sometimes called “all-risk” coverage, protects against any cause of loss except those specifically excluded in the policy, which typically include flood, earthquake, war, nuclear hazard, and intentional acts. Special Form policies offer broader protection and are usually preferred for higher-value commercial property.
Generally no. Standard commercial property policies in Hawaiʻi exclude hurricane wind, flood, and earthquake damage, all of which are significant exposures for island businesses. These perils need to be covered through separate policies, including hurricane insurance, flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program or private markets, and earthquake endorsements or standalone earthquake policies. Atlas pairs commercial property with these specialty coverages to close the gaps.
Replacement cost coverage pays the full cost to rebuild or replace damaged property with similar materials at today’s prices, without subtracting for depreciation. Actual cash value coverage pays the present-day value of the property after accounting for depreciation, which usually results in a lower payout. Replacement cost is more expensive upfront but provides far better recovery after a loss. For Hawaiʻi businesses, replacement cost is usually the right choice because shipping and construction costs make actual cash value payouts insufficient to rebuild.
Premiums are based on the location of the property, the construction type, how the property is used, and the protection measures in place. Properties near the ocean or other bodies of water carry higher flood and wind exposure, while locations near brush face elevated fire risk. Wood frame buildings cost more to insure than fire-resistive concrete construction. Occupancies with flammable materials also raise premiums, while sprinkler systems and other safety features reduce them. Coverage limits, deductibles, and claims history also factor into the final premium.
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