Modern multi-story mixed-use development with a vibrant rooftop garden, ground-floor commercial storefronts, and upper-level residential housing.

Mixed-Use Property Insurance

Did a standard insurer decline your building because of the business downstairs? You're not alone. Most mainstream insurers either do residential or commercial, not both. That's where we come in.

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At Tank Insurance, we've placed cover for dozens of mixed-use properties across Australia. We know how to get these properties covered.

Versatile Coverage

Whether it's a retail shop with flats above, a cafe with a single residence on the top floor, or a larger block with multiple tenants and commercial space at street level.

Our Expertise

We specialise in securing insurance for properties that mainstream insurers often find difficult to place, ensuring your entire asset is protected under one roof.

MARKET GAP

Why Mixed-Use Properties Get Declined

Mixed-use buildings don't fit neatly into standard home or business insurance policies. A property with a takeaway shop on the ground floor and two residential units above presents a different risk profile to a standalone house or a purely commercial building.
Modern brick apartment building with ground-floor commercial space and large architectural windows in an urban setting.

COVERAGE SCOPE

What We Cover

We secure tailored protection for the unique combination of commercial and residential risks under one roof.

Two professional insurance brokers in a modern office discussing mixed-use property insurance coverage options while viewing property data on a tablet.

Retail, office, or hospitality on the ground floor with residential above. This is the most common type of mixed-use property we see.

Cafes, restaurants, and takeaways are no problem. We work with underwriters who have appetite for food businesses, including commercial kitchens.

We can cover the building, loss of rent, and liability for both the commercial and residential portions under a single policy where possible.

For properties valued over $5M, or where standard business packs aren't suitable, we have access to Industrial Special Risks (ISR) markets.

THE TANK SUBMISSION

How We Get Cover for Higher-Risk Properties

Placing mixed-use properties, especially those with hospitality tenants, requires more than just finding the right insurer. It's about understanding the risk and presenting it properly.

Risk Presentation

We highlight fire safety measures like sprinklers, extinguishers, and fire blankets to insurers.

Cooking Standards

We detail deep frying and commercial cooking setups to secure better terms for food-based sites.

Security Protocols

Full mapping of CCTV, alarms, and external lighting to satisfy underwriter requirements.

Prominent brick corner building in a city center with retail shops under red awnings and multiple floors of residential apartments.

POLICY INCLUSIONS

What Mixed-Use Property Insurance Covers

A comprehensive policy that protects your physical asset and your income streams.

Contemporary mixed-use building with a corner boutique shopfront, distinctive weathered steel accents, and residential balconies.
Contemporary mixed-use building with a corner boutique shopfront, distinctive weathered steel accents, and residential balconies.

Usually Covered

Building and Contents – The physical structure and owner-responsible fixtures.
Public Liability – Protection for injury or damage in both commercial and residential areas.
Loss of Rent – Rental income replacement if the property becomes uninhabitable.
Business Interruption – Protection for income if a commercial tenant cannot operate.
Natural Disasters – Standard cover for fire, storm, and flood (where applicable).
Optional Covers – Add-ons for glass breakage, theft, or equipment breakdown.

Not Typically Covered

Tenant belongings and stock (Tenants require their own cover).
Tenant's own liability (Commercial tenants require separate PI/PL).
Wear and tear or gradual deterioration.
Undeclared changes in tenant activity.
Intentional damage by the owner.
Vacancy beyond the policy's specified period (unless noted).

COMPLEX ASSETS

High-Value or Hard-to-Place Properties

If your property is valued over $5M, or if standard insurers have declined it due to the tenant mix or building construction, you'll likely need an Industrial Special Risks (ISR) policy.

Broader Limits

ISR policies are designed for larger assets with higher limits than standard business packs.

Specialist Markets

Access to underwriters like Pen, AXIS, and The Barn who focus on complex commercial assets.

Separate Liability

We ensure both your asset and your liability are covered properly, as ISR usually handles the asset only.

Street-level view of a brick mixed-use building featuring ground-floor retail clothing boutiques and residential apartment units above.

RISK FACTORS

Key Considerations for Mixed-Use Owners

Insurers look at several key factors when assessing a mixed-use property. Understanding these helps in securing better terms.

Location – Coastal or flood-prone risks
Tenant Types – Hospitality vs Retail/Office
Building Age – Older or heritage-listed structures
Condition – Maintenance history and structural integrity
Valuation – Accurate replacement cost (not market value)
Policy Exclusions – Specific terms for flood or tenant damage

SUPPORT

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Your mixed-use policy covers the building and your liability as the landlord. It doesn't cover your tenants' belongings, stock, or their own liability.

Residential tenants should have contents insurance for their personal possessions. Commercial tenants should have public liability and typically glass cover as well, which is often required by the lease.
Beyond standard exclusions like wear and tear, there are a few specific things to be aware of.

Tenant Changes: If your commercial tenant changes their business (e.g., retail to takeaway) without notifying the insurer, it can void your cover.

Vacancy: Commercial vacancy clauses are often stricter than residential ones. If your shop sits empty for too long, cover may be restricted.

Flood vs Water: In Australia, flood (rising water from a watercourse) is treated differently to escape of liquid. Flood cover is often an optional add-on.
Yes, but it works a bit differently for each part of the building.

For the residential portion, loss of rent is usually covered if the apartment becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event like fire or storm.

For the commercial portion, you typically need business interruption or a specific loss of rent extension. This protects your income if your commercial tenant can't operate and therefore can't pay rent.
You'll likely need an Industrial Special Risks (ISR) policy rather than a standard business pack. Standard packs often have caps on total sum insured and stricter rules on tenant types. ISR policies are designed for larger assets and offer broader cover with higher limits. We have access to specialist underwriters who handle these risks. Learn more about our commercial property insurance options.
Aerial perspective of a large urban mixed-use complex featuring a swimming pool, park area, and a blend of commercial and residential architecture.

Get Cover for Your Mixed-Use Property

If you've been declined elsewhere, have a high-risk tenant, or just want to make sure your property is properly covered, get in touch.

Expert Review: 03/01/2026

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