Unoccupied Commercial Property Insurance
Unoccupied Commercial Property Insurance
At BJP Insurance brokers our brokers have years of experience in the field of Commercial Property Insurance. We will search the market to find a policy that suits your requirements, offering you the insurance cover you need at an affordable price.
This lets you sleep more easily, knowing you’ll be covered if your unoccupied property suffers costly damage.
Finding quality insurance for an unoccupied, empty or vacant property can be a challenge, as many insurers are reluctant to take on the added risks involved.
At BJP Insurance we understand that for commercial landlords, vacant properties are a natural part of the business cycle. We can offer you unoccupied commercial property cover to protect you against such hazards as floods, fire, theft and vandalism.
Why do I need unoccupied commercial property insurance?
You may be in the position, as a commercial landlord, of having one or several properties rented out. But sooner or later, it’s normal to have a property standing vacant. A business might fail, forcing a tenant to end the contract sooner than planned; or it could simply take you longer than anticipated to find a new occupant.
Especially if you’re new to the business, you may imagine that your standard commercial property insurance would cover you in these cases. But insurers are very strict in differentiating between occupied and unoccupied commercial properties – and if you don’t have the right level of cover in place, you could find your standard property insurance null and void.
What does unoccupied commercial property insurance include?
There are several increased risks associated with empty properties. These include:
Burst pipes
This is a prime hazard for unoccupied properties due to the fact they are often left unheated. The knock-on damage to vacant buildings is one of the reasons for which insurers insist on different cover for unoccupied properties
Flood and fire
These hazards are considered by insurers to be more serious if they happen in unoccupied properties, as they stand more chance of getting out of control – which means greater levels of damage, and increased expense.
Vandalism
Vacant commercial properties are highly attractive to vandals, as they tend to combine low security with large spaces. Vandalism doesn’t just mean graffiti, fouling and litter – it can sometimes involve arson and deliberate structural damage.
Theft
Empty properties, whether commercial or residential, are supremely attractive to thieves, who know they are less likely to be interrupted or caught.
Liability
As well as the risks posed to your property, your property can pose risks to things around it. Imagine if a vandal broke your roof, which then flew off in a storm and damaged a parked car, or injured a pedestrian.
Squatters
Likewise, squatting is a serious problem for commercial landlords – not only because of the hassle and expense of removing uninvited occupants, but also due to the damage they may cause. People who enter a commercial property illegally and by force are unlikely to treat it with respect.
Likewise, squatting is a serious problem for commercial landlords – not only because of the hassle and expense of removing uninvited occupants, but also due to the damage they may cause. People who enter a commercial property illegally and by force are unlikely to treat it with respect.
All these risks and hazards will be covered by a good unoccupied commercial property insurance policy – which gives landlords the peace of mind to get on with the other aspects of their business.
Talk to our specialists today
Impartial advice about unoccupied commercial property insurance
What if my commercial property is only going to be vacant for a short time?
Your standard commercial property insurance may cover you for very short periods, but it is always advisable to check with an expert. If you failed to have the correct level of cover in place, you could find yourself facing potentially thousands of pounds in bills.
For personal, professional advice about unoccupied commercial property insurance, call us now on 0345 365 2121 to speak to a broker, or alternatively fill in our call-back form.