Small business insurance for property and contents

• Insurance can help you protect your small business
• Cover for your property and contents may help to minimise the impact of loss or damage
• Public liability insurance protects you against claims from an injured third party

If you’re a small business owner, you probably feel protective of what you’ve worked so hard to create. Yet things that are out of your control, like extreme weather or accidents, can have a pretty serious effect on your business’s buildings and contents.

That’s where small business insurance comes in – a safety net to help protect you and your business from the unexpected.

Small business property and contents insurance: why it’s important

If your business relies on physical premises, stock and equipment, then those assets need protecting. Cash flow is a challenge for small businesses in Australia¹  – so the need to unexpectedly repair or replace something your business relies on could be a major problem.

By having small business insurance that covers your property and contents, you can sleep easier knowing you have cover in place.

Related article: Starting a small business checklist

What does small business property and contents insurance cover?

Small business building (only) insurance covers loss or damage to your business’s physical buildings, as well as fixtures and fittings, underground and above-ground services, and all other structural improvements.

This might include outbuildings, shelters, verandas, carports, paths, roadways, fencing, permanent water and fuel tanks, gates, walls, and signs used by your business at the location².

If you choose to add small business contents insurance, it usually provides cover for loss or damage to business furniture, machinery, plant and equipment, stock in trade and merchandise at the business’s location.

Contents covered must either belong to the business, or goods you’re responsible for. Say for example, if you were repairing something belonging to a customer.

What type of events are covered?

Small business insurance for property and contents covers a wide range of events, such as loss or damage caused by fire, accidental damage, and weather events including lightning, rain and wind and earthquakes. Plus, impact by things including motor vehicles, and vandalism³.

Flood cover may also be added as an option.

What does public liability insurance cover?

QBE Small Business Insurance automatically includes business liability (also known as public liability) cover⁴, and comes with options you can add on to suit your specific insurance needs, including business buildings and contents cover.

Business liability cover is important because, if for example, someone falls and injures themselves when visiting your business premises, or your business causes damage to a client’s property, you might be legally liable to pay compensation⁵.

Small business liability insurance can protect you against costly legal action and medical bills.

Related article: Public liability insurance guide for small businesses

QBE small business insurance optional cover

Along with buildings and contents cover, QBE’s Small Business Insurance has other add-ons you can choose to ensure your business’s risks are covered. These include:

• Business interruption
• Machinery breakdown
• Glass
• Money
• Portable items
• Tax audit
• Theft

Things to consider when choosing small business insurance

Choose insurance cover that’s right for your business needs. Take time to read the policy to ensure you understand what’s included and what’s excluded, and the value of your assets is covered.

Make sure your excess – the amount you’ll pay towards a claim – is at a level you’re comfortable with. Then if something unforeseen does happen, you can limit the impact it has on everything you’ve worked hard to achieve – and help your business recover quickly.

Get a quote

Find out more about QBE Small Business Insurance 

To decide if the product is right for you, please read the relevant Policy Wording.