Buildings insurance provides cover for the physical structure of your premises, including fixtures and fittings, against risks such as fire, flood, storm damage, theft, and malicious damage.
We offer a range of buildings insurance solutions tailored to your specific property type and risk profile, whether you own a single commercial unit or a portfolio of properties. All cover is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and exceptions of our insurers.
The physical structure: This includes walls, roofs, floors, tarred or paved roads, parking areas, fences and any permanent/immovable structures and installations therein and thereon, of your building belonging to you or for which you are responsible.
Fixtures and fittings: This refers to built-in elements that form part of the property such as awnings, built-in braais, carports, etc.
Cover for damage caused by earthquakes, fire, lightning, thunderbolt and explosion.
Protection against the elements such as storm, wind, water, hail and snow, as well as cover against water damage caused by burst or leaking pipes and water apparatus.
Cover for break-in damage and deliberate vandalism.
Protection where the ground beneath your property shifts or gives way.
Cover for loss or damage to your buildings due to impact caused by animals, trees, aerials, satellite dishes or vehicles.
Cover for claims made against you as the property owner.
protection against the elements and burst or leaking pipes
Protection against rent due to you by tenants of the building should the building become uninhabitable following an insured event.
protection where the ground beneath your property shifts or gives way
Protect your property. Protect your investment.
Our Commercial Buildings Insurance is designed for anyone who owns, manages, or relies on a commercial property - from landlords and investors to business owners, HOAs, body corporates, sectional title schemes, and property managers. If you have a stake in a building, this cover gives you the confidence that your asset is safeguarded against life’s unexpected risks.
Whether you own a single retail unit, a multi-storey office block, a warehouse, or an entire property portfolio, our buildings insurance solutions can be structured to match your specific risk profile. Commercial property insurance in South Africa needs to account for a wide range of perils, from fire and flooding to theft and malicious damage, and our team will make sure your cover reflects the true replacement value of your property. Getting the sum insured right is just as important as getting the cover itself.
Get in touch with our team and tell us about your commercial property, its use, and the risks associated with your building or portfolio. The more we understand your requirements, the better we can tailor buildings insurance cover that aligns with your needs.
Our specialist brokers go to market on your behalf, comparing commercial buildings insurance options across a panel of leading insurers to find the most appropriate cover at the most competitive premium for your specific property risk profile.
Once your buildings insurance cover is in place, our relationship doesn't end there. We're here to help with policy queries, renewals, and to guide you through the claims process if you need us most.
Building insurance covers the physical structure of your property against a range of risks, including fire, storm and flood damage, lightning, explosion, theft, malicious damage, and burst pipes. It also typically covers fixtures and fittings that form part of the building, as well as property owner's liability and rent receivable should your property become uninhabitable. The exact cover depends on your policy, so it is important to check what is and is not included.
Buildings insurance covers the physical structure of your property - the walls, roof, floors, fixtures, and fittings. Contents insurance covers the moveable items inside the property, such as furniture, appliances, and personal belongings. For commercial properties, both types of cover are often needed, but they are usually arranged as separate policies. A specialist broker can help you make sure both are adequately covered.
Building insurance should be based on the replacement value of your property (what it would cost to demolish and rebuild the structure from scratch, including any professional fees for example, architects' fees), not its market value. In South Africa, you can use a building insurance calculator or speak to a professional quantity surveyor to establish the correct sum insured. Underinsuring your property is one of the most common and costly mistakes property owners make.
Most standard building insurance policies in South Africa include cover for storm damage, including damage caused by wind, hail, rain, and flooding resulting from a storm event. If a storm damages your roof, windows, or the structure of your building, you would typically be able to lodge a storm damage insurance claim. It is important to check your policy for any exclusions or excess amounts that may apply.
Yes. Fire insurance is one of the core components of a standard buildings insurance policy. It covers damage to your property caused by fire, including damage from smoke and the costs of demolition and rebuilding. Some older or more basic policies may offer fire and storm cover only as a limited option, so it is worth confirming with your broker that your policy provides comprehensive rather than fire-and-storm-only cover.
Yes. Landlord building insurance is specifically designed for property owners who rent out their premises to tenants. It covers the structure of the property against the same range of risks as standard building insurance but may also include additional protection relevant to rental situations, such as cover for malicious damage by tenants. If you own a commercial property that is leased to a business, specialist commercial property owner insurance is the most appropriate product.
Yes. Commercial building insurance is available for a wide range of property types including offices, warehouses, retail units, industrial premises, and mixed-use buildings. Premiums are based on factors such as the size and construction of the building, its location, its use, and its replacement value. The best way to get an accurate commercial building insurance quote is to speak to a specialist broker who can approach multiple insurers on your behalf.
Standard building insurance policies typically include conditions around unoccupied properties - most will reduce or exclude cover if a building has been vacant for more than 30 to 60 consecutive days. Unoccupied building insurance is a specialist product designed for properties that are empty for extended periods, such as those undergoing renovation, between tenants, or awaiting sale. If your property is going to be unoccupied for any significant period, you should notify your insurer or broker to make sure your cover remains valid.
Building indemnity insurance, sometimes called building warranty insurance, provides protection against defects or incomplete work on a property where the builder has died, disappeared, or become insolvent before completing the work or honouring a warranty. It is particularly relevant for property buyers and developers who need protection against structural defects that only become apparent after construction is complete.
The cost of building insurance in South Africa varies depending on the size, construction type, location, and replacement value of the property, as well as the level of cover selected. There is no single average building insurance premium, but as a general guide, premiums are calculated as a percentage of the sum insured. The best way to get an accurate and competitive price is to use a specialist broker who can compare building insurance quotes across multiple insurers on your behalf.
Some mortgage lenders, banks, and body corporates in South Africa require a building insurance certificate as proof that adequate cover is in place. A building insurance certificate confirms the property is insured, the sum insured, and the policy period. Your insurer or broker can provide this certificate once your policy is active. If you are purchasing a property with a bond, your lender will almost certainly require proof of building insurance before the bond is registered.
Commercial property owner's liability insurance covers you as the property owner against claims made by third parties who suffer injury or property damage as a result of a defect or hazard on your premises. For example, if a visitor slips and falls in a common area of your building, this cover will respond to the resulting claim. It is an important component of any commercial property insurance policy and is typically included as standard or available as an add-on.
Yes. Building insurance premiums and cover terms can vary significantly between insurers, and comparing policies is one of the simplest ways to make sure you are getting the right cover at the right price. Rather than approaching insurers directly, using a specialist insurance broker means the comparison is done for you across a broad panel of providers. A broker will also make sure the selected policy is structured correctly, not just the cheapest option available.
Get in touch with our specialist team today and let us find the right buildings insurance cover for your commercial property.
