Business Contents Insurance

Business Contents Insurance

Protect your company’s assets and inventory with comprehensive business contents insurance.

Zensurance - Business Contents Owner

Partnerships with over 50 leading Canadian insurance providers

Partnerships with over 50 leading Canadian insurance providers

Why Choose Zensurance?

We help Canadian small business owners save time and money by providing
a convenient and affordable way to buy business insurance.

Claims Examples

Coverage

Problem: Inventory loss at your retail store climbs, and you suspect it’s due to internal theft.

Outcome: If you include commercial crime coverage in your commercial property policy, it may cover the cost of replacing the stolen goods.

Coverage

Problem: A severe wind and hailstorm damages the roof of your office, allowing water to seep in that damages some of your office equipment and furniture.

Outcome: Your commercial property insurance may pay to repair the damages to your office building, while your business contents coverage may cover the cost to repair or replace your office equipment and furniture.

Coverage

Problem: An electrical fire ignites overnight in your warehouse and burns a significant portion of the building and your stored inventory.

Outcome: Your commercial property insurance may pay to repair the fire damage to the warehouse. The business contents portion of your policy may cover the cost of replacing the damaged inventory. If you have business interruption coverage as part of your policy, it may cover the net revenue you lose while you are closed, and repairs to the building are underway.

Business Contents Insurance, Explained.

What is business contents insurance?

Business contents insurance protects all the assets inside or on your commercial property. It covers the cost of repairing or replacing your computers, office furniture and equipment, and inventory or merchandise and fixtures & fittings (also known as tenants improvements) that you may have had installed.

Who needs business contents insurance?

Any business owner, regardless of their industry, should have business contents coverage to safeguard their assets and inventory from loss or damage due to fire, flood, theft, vandalism, or severe weather. Whether you own a commercial property, rent or lease one, or run a home-based business, it’s wise to insure your contents.

What does business contents insurance cover?

Insurance companies categorize the items at your business as either inventory, equipment, or business contents: 

  • Inventory is the merchandise you sell to your customers to generate revenue.
  • Equipment is your company’s fixed assets, including machinery, tools, and fixtures.
  • Fixtures & fittings (also known as tenants improvements)
  • Business contents include computers, office furniture, photocopiers, fax machines, and point-of-sale terminals.

What is not covered by business contents insurance?

Business contents insurance does not pay for damages to your business property’s physical structure. It only covers your stock or merchandise, office equipment, furniture, and machinery. Commercial property insurance protects your building. You cannot purchase business contents insurance without commercial property coverage. 

Other things that business contents insurance does not cover are: 

  • Wear & tear on your property
  • Third-party bodily injury or property damage claims
  • Professional liability or errors and omissions (E&O) claims
  • Business vehicles
  • Internal theft, forgery, or fraud
  • Damages resulting from cybercrime or a cyber-attack

How much does business contents insurance cost?

How much business contents insurance costs vary. Different insurance companies offer different premiums, and they determine pricing for your policy based on several factors, including, but not limited to:  

  • The type of business
  • The products and services you provide
  • Where your business is located
  • The location of your business
  • Your insurance claims history

Zensurance has over 50 insurance providers in our partner network. We can provide you with different content coverage options tailored to suit your requirements and budget.

Who pays for business contents insurance?

Most commercial property insurance policies include business contents coverage. If not, you can add it to your policy. However, you may not be able to buy business contents insurance as a standalone product. 

Additionally, a commercial property policy can include business interruption insurance, which pays for the net income you lose following an insured loss such as a fire or flood. Business interruption coverage provides funds to pay your rent, utility bills, and employee payroll. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between replacement cost and actual cash value in a business contents policy?

Replacement cost coverage is when your insurer pays to restore your contents to their original condition or replace them with new items that are lost, stolen, or damaged beyond repair. Actual cash value coverage is based on the cost of buying the contents you lost minus depreciation. While replacement cost coverage provides ample reimbursement for damaged or destroyed items, it usually comes at a higher price than a policy based on actual cash value.

If I file a business contents claim with my insurance company, what do I need to provide them with to ensure my items and inventory are repaired or replaced?

You must create a business contents inventory list using a spreadsheet and update it regularly. That list should include descriptions, photos, videos, and receipts or valuations of everything at your place of business, including your inventory, furniture, electronics, office equipment, machinery, security cameras, and signage. Make digital and paper copies of your business contents list. Keep hard copies of the list stored in different, secure locations – upload digital copies to an encrypted cloud storage system. You should also consider keeping receipts of the property that you acquire.

Does business contents insurance cover portable items if taken outside of my place of business, such as a laptop?

Yes, it can, but you may need to buy a special cover that provides protection for this property while it is with you away from your place of business. This coverage includes protection for your company’s mobile or portable assets, such as laptop computers, mobile phones, and other equipment you need to provide services to your customers.

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Ready to start? Let’s get a quote!

Getting the contents coverage your small business needs is a cinch with Zensurance. 

Fill out our online application in a few minutes and answer questions about your business to get a free quote. Our licensed brokers will shop the market for you to find the customized coverage you need at the best price.