Property and liability insurance, for premises, stock and contracts
Protect what your business owns and what it could be held responsible for. I'll check your values, your contract requirements and the policy wording, then compare insurers on the same basis.
- Property all risks
- Business interruption
- Public & product liability
- Professional indemnity & marine
By Shamna Ponnath Valappil, Senior Insurance Officer · Updated 26 September 2026Property insurance protects your premises, fit-out, stock and equipment against fire, flood, theft and other damage, and business interruption cover replaces lost profit while you recover. Liability insurance covers claims from others: public liability for injury or damage connected to your premises or work, product liability for goods you supply, and professional indemnity for mistakes in advice or services. UAE landlords, malls and clients often ask for proof of these covers.
The main covers at a glance
| Cover | Protects against |
|---|---|
| Property all risks | Physical loss or damage to buildings, fit-out, machinery, stock and contents |
| Business interruption | Loss of gross profit and extra costs after an insured property loss |
| Money and fidelity guarantee | Cash loss and employee dishonesty |
| Public liability | Third-party injury or property damage from your premises or operations |
| Product liability | Injury or damage caused by products you make, import or sell |
| Professional indemnity | Financial loss to clients from errors or negligence in your professional services |
| Marine cargo | Goods in transit by sea, air or land, per shipment or on an annual open policy |
| Contractors' all risks | Contract works and third-party liability during construction projects |
SME package or separate policies?
Smaller businesses such as shops, offices, clinics and restaurants often get the best value from an SME package that combines property, money, public liability and more in one policy. Larger or higher-risk operations usually need separate policies with their own limits and wordings. I'll show you both where it makes sense.
Avoid the underinsurance trap
Most property policies apply average: if you insure stock worth AED 1,000,000 for AED 500,000, a claim can be cut in half. Base sums insured on current replacement values, include fit-out and stock peaks, and review them every renewal.
Storm and flood: after the April 2024 floods, check that natural perils are covered for both property and business interruption, and understand any excess that applies to them.
Tenant or landlord: who insures what?
In most UAE commercial leases, the landlord insures the building structure and the tenant insures its fit-out, contents, stock and liability. Leases often set minimum public liability limits. Read yours, or send it to me and I'll check it.
What I need for a quote
- Trade licence and a description of your business activities.
- Location(s), construction type and fire protection.
- Values: building (if owned), fit-out, machinery and equipment, stock (average and peak).
- Annual turnover and gross profit for business interruption.
- Contract or lease insurance requirements, and claims history for 3 years.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need professional indemnity insurance?
If clients rely on your advice, designs or services (consultants, engineers, IT, marketing, brokers), professional indemnity protects you against claims that your work caused them financial loss. It is often a contract requirement.
Is my stock covered while it's in transit?
Not usually under a property policy. Goods in transit need marine cargo or goods-in-transit cover, either per shipment or on an annual open policy for regular shipments.
What limit of public liability should we buy?
Start with what your lease, mall or client contracts require, then consider your real exposure: visitor numbers, the work you do at client sites and the potential cost of a serious injury.
Does property insurance cover loss of income?
Only if you add business interruption. It replaces lost gross profit and extra costs after an insured loss, for the indemnity period you choose.
10+ years in insurance, six internationally and four in the UAE market. Shamna compares personal and business cover across insurers for clients in all seven Emirates. More about Shamna
Last reviewed: 26 September 2026. General information only, not advice; policy terms decide cover.
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Shamna Ponnath Valappil is a Senior Insurance Officer with Gargash Insurance Services LLC, a UAE insurance broker regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE. Insurance arranged through this site is placed by Gargash Insurance Services LLC. Quotes are subject to underwriting by the relevant insurer(s); final terms, premiums and cover are confirmed when a policy is issued.