Vacant Commercial Building Insurance
Protection for a storefront or commercial space between tenants.
A thrift or consignment store building does not always stay occupied. You might be between tenants, mid-renovation, or trying to sell or lease a location you no longer operate from. A vacant commercial building still needs coverage, even though no one is running a business inside it every day.
Common reasons a commercial building sits vacant
- Recently vacated by a previous tenant
- Between renovations or buildout
- Listed for sale
- Listed for lease or rent
- Foreclosure or bank-owned
- Seasonal or off-season closure
- Inherited property
5 things to know about vacant building risk
- Vandalism and break-ins are more likely in an empty building
- Water damage can go unnoticed for weeks without daily foot traffic
- A standard occupied-business policy often will not respond to a vacant location
- A landlord, lender, or mortgagee may require proof of coverage while the space sits empty
- Vacant buildings can take longer to insure, so it pays to start the process early
What a vacant building quote usually needs
When you request a quote for a vacant commercial building, be ready to share why the property is vacant, whether you own the building, your desired coverage for the building and business personal property, and a mailing address where you can be reached for correspondence. If a landlord, property manager, or mortgagee needs to be named as an additional insured on the policy, let us know that too so it can be added correctly.
Other vacant property types
If your situation involves a different kind of property, see our guides on vacant land, vacant condos, and vacant homes.