Illuminated modern commercial skyscrapers representing high-value properties requiring ISR insurance coverage

Industrial Special Risks Insurance Brokers

Specialist ISR placement for commercial properties, industrial facilities, and complex assets that need broader cover than standard policies provide.

ISR

Specialists

$5M+

Property Cover

15+

ISR Insurers

Recognition

Industry Awards

ISR works the other way around to standard property insurance. Instead of covering named events, it covers everything unless it's specifically excluded.

Industrial Special Risks (ISR) insurance is designed for higher-value or more complex commercial properties where a standard business pack doesn't provide enough protection. ISR policies are individually underwritten by specialist markets, giving you broader cover, higher limits, and more flexibility than off-the-shelf products.

If your property has been declined by mainstream insurers, if your building value exceeds $5M, or if your risk profile is too complex for standard products, ISR is usually where we find the right solution. We prepare detailed submissions covering construction, tenancy, fire protection, and valuations to present your risk properly to the right underwriters.

ISR is a property-only policy. We arrange the appropriate liability cover separately to sit alongside your ISR, so you get comprehensive protection without gaps.

ISR POLICY STRUCTURE

What an ISR policy covers

An ISR policy consolidates multiple cover sections into a single, comprehensive document. Here are the core sections.

Modern commercial office building at sunset representing the type of high-value property covered by ISR insurance

Property Damage (All Risks)

Building, contents, stock, and plant covered against all risks unless specifically excluded. Fire, storm, flood, impact, malicious damage, and more.

Business Interruption

Loss of gross profit, increased cost of working, and loss of rent while your property is being reinstated after an insured event.

Machinery Breakdown

Essential building systems - HVAC, lifts, switchboards, generators, and process equipment. Covers sudden mechanical or electrical failure.

Extensions & Endorsements

Glass breakage, theft, money, electronic equipment, and other extensions tailored to your property's specific operations and risk profile.

Property Damage (All Risks)

Building, contents, stock, and plant covered against all risks unless specifically excluded. Fire, storm, flood, impact, malicious damage, and more.

Business Interruption

Loss of gross profit, increased cost of working, and loss of rent while your property is being reinstated after an insured event.

Machinery Breakdown

Essential building systems - HVAC, lifts, switchboards, generators, and process equipment. Covers sudden mechanical or electrical failure.

Extensions & Endorsements

Glass breakage, theft, money, electronic equipment, and other extensions tailored to your property's specific operations and risk profile.

SPECIALIST PLACEMENT

Properties We Place ISR For

ISR is the right solution for higher-value or more complex commercial properties that don't fit neatly into standard insurance products.

ISR PLACEMENT

How We Place ISR Cover

ISR policies require specialist broking. The submission process is more involved, the underwriting markets are different, and the policy wordings are more complex than standard property insurance. We've placed ISR for properties declined by 10+ mainstream insurers.

Insurance broker discussing ISR policy options with a commercial property client

01

Specialist Underwriter Access

We work with ISR underwriters including Ocean, Halo, Axis, Pen, Brooklyn, Haven, Chase, and Lloyd's syndicates who focus exclusively on complex commercial property risks.

02

Detailed Submission Preparation

ISR placements require comprehensive submissions. We prepare detailed risk profiles covering construction type, tenancy schedules, fire protection systems, flood mapping, and current building valuations.

03

All Risks Cover, Fewer Gaps

ISR policies work on an 'all risks' basis - covering everything unless specifically excluded. This means fewer gaps than named perils policies, and broader protection for complex properties.

04

Liability Paired Separately

ISR doesn't include liability. We arrange the right public liability, management liability, and other covers alongside your ISR so your total protection package is complete.

POLICY SCOPE

What Does an ISR Policy Cover?

Unlike standard property insurance that covers named perils, ISR works the other way around. It covers everything unless specifically excluded. This is why it's the preferred option for complex or high-value commercial assets.

Insurance broker presenting illuminated 3D commercial property icon symbolising ISR coverage solutions
Insurance broker presenting illuminated 3D commercial property icon symbolising ISR coverage solutions

Usually Covered

Property Damage (All Risks) - Fire, storm, flood, impact, explosion, and other perils unless specifically excluded.
Business Interruption - Loss of gross profit and increased cost of working while your property is being reinstated.
Loss of Rent - Rental income replacement during repair or rebuild periods.
Machinery Breakdown - Essential building systems including HVAC, lifts, switchboards, and plant equipment.
Glass Breakage - Internal and external glazing replacement.
Theft and Burglary - Damage to or loss of insured property from break-in.
Money and Fidelity - Cash on premises and employee dishonesty cover.

Not Typically Covered

Liability - ISR is a property-only policy. We arrange public liability and other liability cover separately to sit alongside your ISR policy.
Wear and tear or gradual deterioration.
Faulty workmanship or design defects (unless resulting damage is covered).
Asbestos and environmental contamination.
Tenant belongings and stock (tenants need their own cover).
Known pre-existing damage or undisclosed issues.

REAL-WORLD SCENARIOS

When ISR Makes the Difference

These are the types of situations where ISR placement is the right approach - and where we've delivered results for clients.

01

A flood-zone retail complex with 7 tenancies and accommodation wing declined by 10 mainstream insurers. Placed through specialist ISR at ~$80,000 including flood.

02

A multi-tenanted industrial building with trade workshops. Only quote was $44,000. We placed with a specialist at $15,000 - saving the owner $29,000.

03

A vacant 1960s warehouse needed cover for settlement. 7 insurers declined on vacancy. Placed through ISR at $3,000 on a 6-month policy.

04

A body corporate scheme with $20M+ sum insured that outgrew standard strata products. Placed through ISR with broader cover and better excess terms.

05

A manufacturing facility with spray-painting operations that mainstream insurers wouldn't touch. Placed through a specialist ISR underwriter who understood the fire protection systems.

06

A multi-property commercial portfolio consolidated under a single ISR programme. One renewal date, one broker, consistent cover across all assets.

01

A flood-zone retail complex with 7 tenancies and accommodation wing declined by 10 mainstream insurers. Placed through specialist ISR at ~$80,000 including flood.

02

A multi-tenanted industrial building with trade workshops. Only quote was $44,000. We placed with a specialist at $15,000 - saving the owner $29,000.

03

A vacant 1960s warehouse needed cover for settlement. 7 insurers declined on vacancy. Placed through ISR at $3,000 on a 6-month policy.

04

A body corporate scheme with $20M+ sum insured that outgrew standard strata products. Placed through ISR with broader cover and better excess terms.

05

A manufacturing facility with spray-painting operations that mainstream insurers wouldn't touch. Placed through a specialist ISR underwriter who understood the fire protection systems.

06

A multi-property commercial portfolio consolidated under a single ISR programme. One renewal date, one broker, consistent cover across all assets.

POLICY COMPARISON

ISR vs Standard Commercial Property Insurance

The key difference is how the policy is structured. A standard commercial property policy covers your building against specific named events. An ISR policy covers everything unless it's specifically excluded. Unlike a business pack, ISR is a property-only policy - we arrange liability separately.

All Risks vs Named Perils

Standard policies list what's covered. ISR lists what's excluded. Anything not excluded is covered - that's a fundamentally different starting point.

Higher Limits and Flexibility

ISR policies handle higher sums insured and can be tailored with endorsements for specific operations, tenancy profiles, and geographic risks.

Comprehensive Business Interruption

ISR typically includes more thorough BI cover, including loss of gross profit, increased cost of working, and extended indemnity periods.

Insurance brokers examining a client's commercial property assets and ISR documentation

ISR MARKET ACCESS

Who We Place ISR With

ISR underwriters don't deal directly with the public. You need a broker who knows which markets to approach and how to present your risk.

Specialist ISR Underwriters

Ocean Underwriting, Halo Underwriting, Axis Underwriting, Pen Underwriting, Brooklyn Underwriting, Haven Underwriting, Chase Underwriting + more

Major Insurers with ISR Appetite

QBE, Zurich, Allianz, Chubb, CGU, Vero, Hollard

Hard-to-Place Risks

Lloyd's of London syndicates through specialist Australian coverholder agencies

When mainstream insurers decline your property because of flood zones, vacant buildings, or high-risk tenants, these specialist markets are often where we find the right solution. We've used this panel to place cover after 10+ consecutive declines.

REAL WORLD PLACEMENTS

ISR Placements We've Made

Real examples of commercial properties we've placed cover for when mainstream insurers couldn't. Each of these required specialist ISR broking to get across the line.

CLIENT REVIEWS

What our clients say

"Marel and Jack are the best in the business. Very honest and always work hard to ensure you get the best coverage at good value."

— Sanak Ahmed , Western Chartered Accountants

"Jack and Brady helped me save money on my premiums. Great team and great results, highly recommend."

— Jake Eillot , Director of William Advisory Group

"Very knowledgeable and patient... stepped me through everything to make sure I was aware of what everything was."

— Conor Molloy , Director of Cormay Plumbing

5 80 reviews

ISR RESOURCES

ISR Guides and Resources

Speak directly with a broker who specialises in ISR placement for complex commercial properties.

Contact ISR Specialist

COMMON QUESTIONS

Common ISR Questions

Industrial Special Risks (ISR) is a type of commercial property insurance that works on an 'all risks' basis. Unlike standard property insurance that covers named events (fire, storm, theft), an ISR policy covers a broad range of risks unless they're specifically excluded. This typically means broader protection and fewer gaps in your cover. ISR policies are individually underwritten and tailored to your specific property and operations.
ISR is typically the right fit when your property is valued over $5M, when you have a complex building or risk profile, or when standard insurers can't provide adequate cover. Multi-tenanted buildings, properties in flood zones, buildings with high-risk occupations, and multi-property portfolios are all common ISR placements. If you've been declined by mainstream insurers or your standard commercial property insurance feels inadequate, ISR may be the better option.
ISR premiums depend on your building value, construction type, location, tenancy mix, fire protection, and claims history. We've placed ISR policies ranging from around $2,400 for a straightforward owner-occupied warehouse to $80,000 for a complex flood-zone property with accommodation. Because ISR policies are individually underwritten, the premium reflects your specific risk rather than a one-size-fits-all rate. See our ISR cost guide for detailed benchmarks.
Business packs are packaged products from mainstream insurers that bundle property, liability, and business interruption into one policy. They work well for standard risks. ISR is different - it's individually underwritten, covers property on an all-risks basis, and is designed for higher-value or more complex assets. ISR also doesn't include liability, so we arrange public liability and other liability cover separately. Read our full comparison.
Yes. Flood cover can be included in an ISR policy, even in areas where standard insurers won't offer it. This is one of the key advantages of ISR - because the policy is individually underwritten, specialist underwriters can assess flood risk on a case-by-case basis rather than applying blanket exclusions. We've placed ISR cover including flood for properties that were declined by 10+ mainstream insurers.
Yes. ISR underwriters require accurate replacement cost valuations. Underinsurance is one of the most common problems we see with commercial property, and getting your sum insured right is critical for ISR placement. As part of the Steadfast network, we can refer you to valuation specialists across Australia.
Yes. Multi-property portfolios can be placed under a single ISR programme. This simplifies your insurance management, consolidates renewal dates, and can often achieve better terms than insuring each property individually. We manage several multi-property ISR portfolios for commercial landlords across Australia.

WHY WORK WITH US

What Sets Us Apart for ISR Placement

ISR requires specialist broking. Here's why commercial property owners and landlords choose us for their ISR placement.

Insurance brokers examining a client's commercial property assets and ISR documentation

ISR submissions are more involved than standard property. We prepare detailed risk profiles covering construction, tenancy, fire protection, flood mapping, and building valuations to present your risk properly to underwriters.

We work with specialist ISR underwriting agencies like Ocean, Halo, Axis, Pen, Brooklyn, Haven, and Chase - plus Lloyd's syndicates that don't deal directly with the public.

We've saved clients up to $29,000 on a single ISR placement by accessing specialist markets that quote at a fraction of mainstream alternatives. Re-marketing at every renewal is standard.

Properties declined by 5, 7, even 10+ mainstream insurers are our bread and butter. We've placed ISR for flood-zone properties, vacant buildings, and buildings with high-risk tenancies that others couldn't cover.

ISR is a property-only policy, so we arrange the appropriate liability cover to sit alongside your ISR policy. You get comprehensive protection across property and liability.

Through the Steadfast network, we can refer you to valuation specialists to make sure your sum insured reflects actual rebuilding costs. Getting this right is critical for ISR.

We re-market ISR policies every year across our panel. If your current insurer is still the best option, we'll tell you. If there's a better deal, we'll move you. No auto-renewals.

When you need to make a claim on an ISR policy, we manage the process from lodgement through to settlement, coordinating with loss adjustors and underwriters on your behalf.

If you own multiple commercial properties, we can manage your entire ISR portfolio under a single programme. We consolidate renewals, coordinate placements, and make sure each property is covered appropriately.

FAQ

ISR Insurance FAQ

Commercial strata insurance is designed for strata-titled buildings where a body corporate manages shared property. ISR is a broader, individually underwritten policy for higher-value or more complex properties. When a strata scheme outgrows standard strata products - usually above $10-20M in sum insured, or with complex tenancies - ISR is often the next step. We can help assess whether your scheme would benefit from ISR placement.
ISR works well for warehouses and distribution centres, manufacturing facilities, retail centres, hotels, office towers, mixed-use developments, large body corporate schemes, healthcare facilities, and any property where the building value, tenancy mix, or location makes standard products inadequate. If your property has been declined by mainstream insurers, ISR is usually where we find the solution.
Yes. Machinery breakdown is a standard section within most ISR policies. This covers essential building systems like HVAC, lifts, switchboards, generators, and other plant equipment. For manufacturing facilities with specialised machinery, the machinery breakdown section can be extended to cover process equipment as well.
It depends on the complexity of the risk. A straightforward ISR placement with good information can be quoted within a few days. Complex risks - flood zones, difficult tenancies, multi-property portfolios - may take 1-2 weeks as we prepare detailed submissions and work through specialist underwriting markets. We always keep you updated on progress.
At a minimum: building sum insured (replacement value), construction type, year built, tenancy schedule, fire protection details (sprinklers, alarms, hydrants), and location. For complex risks we'll also need flood mapping data, building compliance certificates, and a recent valuation report. The more information we have upfront, the more accurate and competitive the quotes will be.
Yes. Business interruption (BI) and loss of rent are standard inclusions in ISR policies. The BI section covers loss of gross profit and increased cost of working while your property is being reinstated after an insured event. For landlords, loss of rent cover replaces rental income during repair or rebuild periods.
ISR policies are designed for significant claims. The insurer will appoint a loss adjustor to assess the damage and validate the claim. As your broker, we manage the entire process - from lodgement through to settlement - coordinating with loss adjustors and underwriters on your behalf. Read our ISR claims guide for a detailed walkthrough.
Yes. We place ISR policies for properties across every state and territory. Some locations - particularly flood-prone areas in QLD, NSW, and WA - are harder to place, but that's exactly where specialist ISR broking makes the difference. We've placed cover for properties in flood zones that were declined by 10+ mainstream insurers.
Commercial skyscrapers in Australia at sunset representing high-value property portfolios requiring ISR coverage

Need ISR Cover for Your Commercial Property?

Whether your property has been declined by mainstream insurers, your building value exceeds $5M, or your risk profile is too complex for standard products, we can help.

Sydney-based. Backed by the Steadfast Network and NIBA members.

Expert Review: 06/04/2026

Verified by Tank Insurance Brokers

Call Us Now +61 2 9000 1155