Office buildings, insured for the owner.
Property and liability for office building owners: single-tenant, multi-tenant, office condominiums and medical office buildings, owner-occupied or fully leased.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
What an office owner needs covered
An office building policy covers the building, the owner's liability for common areas, and the rent you'd lose if a fire or water loss empties the building. Elevators, HVAC and electrical systems can be covered for breakdown.
Tenants carry their own policies for their contents and operations, and your leases should require it. I place office buildings with admitted and surplus lines carriers, including older buildings and those with vacancies.
- PropertyThe building, at replacement cost where available.
- General liabilityInjuries in lobbies, stairs, parking and common areas.
- Loss of rentsRental income lost after a covered loss.
- Equipment breakdownElevators, HVAC, boilers and electrical systems.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Building: address, year built, stories and square feet.
- Construction: frame, masonry or concrete, and sprinklers.
- Updates: roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC years.
- Tenants: who they are and how much space each leases.
- Values: building value and annual rents.
- History: current policy and loss runs.
Office building insurance, answered
Do my tenants' policies protect me?
Partly. Leases should require tenants to carry liability that names you as additional insured, but you still need your own policy for the building and common areas.
Is loss of rent included?
It can be. Loss of rents or business income coverage is usually added to the property policy, and lenders often require it.
Does it cover earthquake?
No. Commercial earthquake coverage is a separate policy or endorsement.
Can you insure a building with vacancies?
Yes, though carriers look closely at vacancy. Tell me how much space is empty and for how long.
Do you offer office building insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. California policies are placed directly; outside California the request is handled together with a partner agency in your state, and the shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Send the building details. I'll shop it.
The address, square footage and rent roll are enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued. Some policies may be placed with nonadmitted (surplus lines) insurers, which are not members of the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA).
Tell me how to reach you. I’ll take it from there.
Takes about 30 seconds. I review every request personally and call you back, usually the same day.
(424) 552-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
Get a reminder before your renewal.
Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.