AT A GLANCE
How the cover works
Office insurance can package the everyday risks of an office-based business, including contents, computer equipment, liabilities and interruption. It should reflect both the physical workplace and how people now work remotely or across several locations.
The proposal should identify the premises, occupancy, equipment values, staffing, visitor activity, portable devices and the professional or digital services provided.
COVER
What may be covered
- Office contents, furniture, computers, records and other declared equipment.
- Employers’ Liability and Public Liability where selected and applicable.
- Business interruption and reasonable additional costs after insured property damage.
- Portable equipment away from the premises where the required extension applies.
- Money, legal expenses, book debts or other office-specific extensions where offered.
Cover varies by insurer and applies only as stated in the schedule and policy wording.
BOUNDARIES
Common exclusions and limitations
- Wear and tear, breakdown, unexplained disappearance and routine maintenance.
- Theft of portable equipment left unattended or in vehicles contrary to policy conditions.
- Cyber events and data restoration beyond any limited computer extension.
- Professional negligence, advice or design claims requiring Professional Indemnity.
- Property belonging to landlords, staff or third parties unless included within the definition and values.
This is not a complete list. The quotation, schedule and full wording determine the actual cover.
CLAIMS IN PRACTICE
How a claim might arise
01. A burst pipe damages computers, furniture and records, forcing the team into temporary premises.
02. A visitor trips over a cable in a meeting room and alleges injury caused by unsafe arrangements.
03. Laptops are stolen following forcible entry, interrupting work until replacement equipment is configured.
These scenarios are illustrative only and do not confirm that a particular claim would be covered.
CHOOSING COVER
Questions worth resolving
- Include replacement values for computers, specialist equipment, furniture and records.
- Check cover for homeworking, portable equipment, hot-desking and multiple premises.
- Assess Business Interruption using realistic recovery times for premises and technology.
- Match Employers’ and Public Liability limits to staffing and visitor exposures.
- Arrange Cyber and Professional Indemnity separately where the organisation’s services require them.
CONNECTED RISKS
Related protection to consider
- Cyber Insurance for data, systems, incident response and non-physical interruption.
- Professional Indemnity for professional advice, design and service errors.
- Crime Insurance for fraud, employee dishonesty and fraudulent payment instructions.
- Directors and Officers or Management Liability for leadership and employment claims.
QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
Does Office Insurance include Professional Indemnity?
Usually not automatically. Professional Indemnity is commonly arranged as a separate section or policy.
Are laptops covered away from the office?
They can be, but portable-equipment cover, territorial limits and security conditions must be checked.
Does it cover staff working from home?
Some cover may extend to homeworking, but equipment, liability and cyber arrangements should be reviewed.
Can a serviced office be insured?
Yes, although responsibilities under the lease or service agreement and ownership of contents must be clear.
Australian insurance context
For Australian organisations, Office Insurance Guide should be considered against the actual activities, location, scale, contracts, assets and risk controls of the business. Insurance requirements and insurer appetite can vary by state or territory and by the way the risk is presented.
Explore the related topic · Explore insurance solutions · View insurance guides · Begin your proposal