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Comprehensive Office Insurance
All-Risks Property Insurance · Business Interruption · Money Insurance · Third-Party Liability · Employees' Compensation Insurance
Comprehensive office insurance is designed for businesses operating in commercial buildings, offering multiple layers of protection under a single policy. It comprehensively addresses daily business risks—ranging from "All Risks" property coverage for renovations, furniture, stationery, computer equipment, and office machinery to protection against additional expenses from business interruption, loss of office money, and third-party liability, as well as optional employees' compensation insurance.
Scope of Coverage
This insurance policy is specifically designed to cover the risks businesses may face when operating within commercial buildings; a key advantage of such comprehensive insurance in recent years is that it provides multiple types of coverage under a single policy.
Coverage extends to damage or loss caused by accidents such as fire, water damage (burst pipes, tank overflows, rainwater ingress), theft, typhoons, and landslides affecting renovations, furniture, stationery, computer equipment, office machinery, product samples, and more; the maximum compensation per item is HK$100,000.
If normal business operations are disrupted by a covered accident, compensation is available for "additional expenses" incurred to resume operations (such as renting temporary office space); the coverage period is twelve months from the date of the accident, with a maximum annual indemnity of HK$1,000,000.
Loss or damage to cash, cheques, and cashier's orders resulting from fire, burglary, robbery, or armed robbery is compensable under the terms of the policy. Coverage extends to office funds during business hours, funds in transit, money kept inside or outside safes, and crossed cheques.
Legal liability for bodily injury to third parties or damage to their property arising from negligence during business operations (including legal costs) is covered up to a maximum of HK$10,000,000 per incident, with no aggregate limit during the policy period.
Covers the legal liability of the policyholder (as a tenant) for damage to the insured property (office unit) caused by negligence.
This insurance provides coverage where an employee or director of the policyholder incurs liability to a third party due to an accident caused by negligence during a business trip; however, no indemnity will be provided for judgments delivered by courts outside Hong Kong.
- Cash kept in the office during business hours
- Money in transit within Hong Kong, escorted by the insured employer or an authorized employee.
- Cash kept in the office safe or strongroom outside of office hours.
- Cash kept in the office outside office hours but not in a safe or strongroom.
- Crossed cheque
Compensation limits for each item are determined by the policy terms and conditions; please consult our company’s advisors for details.
- Under Section 40 of the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, employers must take out employees' compensation insurance for their employees; otherwise, they are prohibited from employing anyone—whether full-time or part-time, permanent or temporary.
- Covers the employer's liability to pay compensation for employees' work-related injuries, occupational diseases, or death.
- For fewer than 200 employees: minimum coverage of HK$100,000,000 per incident; for more than 200 employees: HK$200,000,000.
- Most comprehensive insurance policies offer "Employees' Compensation Insurance" as an optional add-on, with coverage extendable worldwide to protect non-manual employees on short-term overseas business trips.
- Premium rates are determined based on the industry and the nature of the employee's work: premiums are lower for low-risk roles such as clerical work, and higher for manual labor positions.
- The premium is calculated by multiplying the total annual budgeted salaries of employees declared by the employer (including cash wages, accommodation allowances, overtime pay, bonuses, etc.) by the premium rate.
Learn more about workers’ compensation insurance →
Extended Third-Party Liability Coverage
Most comprehensive office insurance policies include the following extended coverages; actual terms and conditions are subject to the specific policy provisions of the respective insurers.
Covers the policyholder's legal liability as a tenant for damage to the insured property caused by negligence.
Coverage is provided if a visitor falls ill after consuming food or beverages supplied by the policyholder within the office, and the incident is confirmed to have been caused by the policyholder's negligence.
Coverage is provided for third-party liability arising from the negligence of employees or directors while on business trips; however, judgments delivered by courts outside Hong Kong are excluded.
Key Exclusions
Applies to the entire insurance policy
- Illegal activities
- Injury caused by nuclear energy or radiation
- Any incident resulting from war or civil unrest
Regarding Property Protection
- Wear and tear, depreciation, and loss of value resulting from normal use
- Damage or loss caused by insect infestation, weather changes, mold, the restoration process, or design flaws.
- Damage or loss caused by electrical or mechanical failure
- Damage to fragile items (excluding damage caused by fire or theft)
- Damage or loss discovered during routine inventory counts
- Other consequential losses and applicable deductibles
Regarding Third-Party Liability Coverage
- Any employee (covered by employees' compensation insurance)
- Product liability
- Omission of professional advice or services
- Damage to or loss of property in the care, custody, or control of the insured.
- Personal injury or property damage caused by the vibration or removal of supporting columns or walls.
- Fines or other consequential losses and applicable deductibles
Regarding Employees' Compensation Protection
- The Policyholder's liability for the employees of its subcontractors.
- Accidents occurring outside the covered area (usually referring to Hong Kong)
- The injured or sick person is not an "employee" as defined under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance.
- Any fines
Claims Guide
Should any incident occur that could give rise to a claim, please notify our Claims Department immediately; we will assist you throughout the process of following up with the insurance company.
Please contact our Claims Department immediately after the accident, or provide your policy number, policyholder's name, and contact telephone number via email. Failure to notify us promptly may result in the insurance company refusing to process the claim in accordance with the policy terms.
Complete the claim form and provide a detailed account of the incident. In cases of theft or vandalism, report the matter to the police immediately and provide the police case reference number; take photographs of damaged doors, gates, or windows before repair, and do not dispose of damaged property without the insurance company's consent.
The insurance company may appoint an independent loss adjuster to investigate and determine liability for the claim. Once the compensation amount is agreed upon by both parties, a release of liability document is issued; the claim payment is made upon receipt of the signed release from the client.
Documents Required for Property Damage Claims
- Completed and signed claim form
- Receipts and purchase documents for damaged property
- Quotation from Repairer / Contractor
- Color photographs of the damaged property and the scene.
- File numbers and addresses of departments such as the Police Force and Fire Services Department
- Letter of authorization signed by the client (enabling the insurance company to obtain statement records from the department)
- Duration and details of the business interruption, and receipts for additional expenses.
- Account records and police reports regarding financial losses
Points to Note Regarding Third-Party Liability Claims
- You should notify the insurance company and complete the claim form as soon as possible, regardless of whether a claim has been received.
- If anyone is injured, record the injured person's name, age, contact number, address, and details of the injury.
- For incidents involving property damage of a criminal nature, the police must be notified immediately, and the police case reference number must be provided.
- You must not admit liability, enter into any agreement, or promise compensation to anyone without the written consent of the insurance company.
- Record details of eyewitnesses at the scene, and take photographs of the surroundings and any damaged property.
- If there is a property management company for the insured premises, please submit the incident report issued by that company.
- If you receive a letter or summons from a third party, lawyer, police department, or another insurance company, do not reply yourself; instead, submit it to the insurance company immediately.
Important Notice: Please ensure that damaged property is retained; do not dispose of it without the insurance company's consent. Additionally, do not admit liability or promise compensation to any third party without obtaining written permission. A delay in notification may result in the insurance company refusing to process your claim in accordance with the policy terms.
Please provide the policy number, policyholder’s name, and contact telephone number, and we will immediately initiate the claims process for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: What is the difference between comprehensive office insurance and standalone fire insurance?
Standard fire insurance typically covers property damage caused only by specified perils, such as fire. In contrast, comprehensive office insurance provides multiple coverages—including “all-risks” property protection, business interruption, money, and third-party liability—under a single policy; it also allows for the addition of employees’ compensation insurance, thereby better addressing the overall business risks faced by an enterprise.
Question 2: Can computer equipment and renovations be covered?
Yes. Renovations, furniture, stationery, computer equipment, office machinery, and product samples are all covered. Damage or loss resulting from incidents such as fire, flooding, theft, typhoons, or landslides falls within the scope of coverage, with a maximum compensation limit of HK$100,000 per item of equipment.
Question 3: What can be claimed if the office is unable to operate due to an unexpected incident?
Under the business interruption coverage, claims may be made for “additional expenses” incurred to restore normal business operations—such as the cost of renting temporary office space—for a period of twelve months following the incident, with a maximum annual indemnity of HK$1,000,000.
Question 4: Will insurance cover injuries sustained by a visitor in the office?
In the event of bodily injury to a third party caused by negligence during business operations, legal liability (including legal costs) is covered under third-party liability insurance, with a maximum limit of HK$10,000,000 per incident and no aggregate limit during the policy period.
Question 5: Are employees covered in the event of an accident while on an overseas business trip?
The third-party liability section typically includes an extension for overseas business trips, covering third-party liability arising from the negligence of employees or directors while on duty; however, it does not provide indemnity for judgments delivered by courts outside Hong Kong. Regarding employees’ compensation, most policies allow for the extension of the coverage area to a worldwide basis, protecting non-manual employees during short-term overseas business trips.
Question 6: If the company hires only part-time employees, is it still required to purchase workers' compensation insurance?
Yes, it is required. Section 40 of the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance stipulates that employers must take out employees’ compensation insurance for all employees—whether full-time or part-time, permanent or temporary—and are prohibited from employing anyone without doing so.
The above information is for general reference only; the actual scope of coverage, indemnity limits, and exclusions are subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.







