Commercial Property (Building)

• Structure, roof, exterior walls, and common areas
• Building systems: plumbing, electrical, HVAC, elevators
• Fixtures, appliances, and landlord-owned contents in common areas
• Replacement Cost or Actual Cash Value valuation - choose based on building age
• Ordinance or Law coverage for code-required upgrades after a covered loss

Rhode Island's older buildings may require Ordinance or Law coverage, as local code requirements can significantly increase repair costs after a loss.

General Liability

• Tenant or visitor bodily injury in common areas, stairwells, and parking
• Property damage you or your employees cause to others
• Personal and advertising injury (libel, wrongful eviction allegations)
• Satisfies RI minimum liability requirement
• Required for rental registration in many municipalities

Slip-and-fall claims are common in Rhode Island, especially during winter months. Adequate liability limits are crucial for property owners.

Loss of Rents (Business Income)

• Replaces rental income while the building or units are uninhabitable after a covered loss
• Covers the restoration period - from damage through inspection and re-occupancy
• Rhode Island market rents: factor current averages into your limit
• Particularly valuable for multi-family buildings where a single event can displace multiple households

In Rhode Island, the time to re-occupy after a significant loss can be longer than expected; set your loss-of-rents period accordingly.

Flood Insurance

• Excluded from all standard commercial property policies - requires a separate policy
• NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) or private market options
• Covers building structure and foundation from flood-related water damage
• Rhode Island risk factors: coastal flooding and river overflow
• Private flood can offer higher limits and faster claims than NFIP

We assess parcel-level risk for your building's address using FEMA resources to ensure adequate flood coverage.

Commercial Umbrella

• Adds $1M - $10M+ of excess liability above your GL and other underlying policies
• Activates when a judgment or settlement exceeds your underlying policy limits
• Covers the same perils as underlying GL - bodily injury, property damage, personal injury
• Often required by commercial lenders and mortgage holders on larger buildings

For multi-unit Rhode Island buildings, umbrella coverage is a cost-effective way to protect against high-severity claims.

Equipment Breakdown

• Sudden mechanical or electrical failure of covered systems
• Boilers, HVAC systems, elevators, electrical panels, and central cooling
• Repair or replacement costs not covered by standard property policies
• Business income loss from a covered equipment breakdown

Older Rhode Island buildings with aging mechanical systems are particularly exposed to equipment breakdown risks.

Workers' Compensation

• Required by RI law for any building with employees (super, maintenance, cleaning staff)
• Medical bills and lost wages for employees injured on the job
• Protects the building owner from employee lawsuits over workplace injuries
• Covers slip-and-fall, lifting injuries, and equipment-related incidents

If you employ staff, Rhode Island law mandates workers' comp coverage to avoid significant fines.

Hired & Non-Owned Auto

• Covers liability when employees drive personal vehicles on building business
• Applies to supers or maintenance staff picking up supplies or driving to the property
• Fills the gap left by personal auto policies, which exclude business-use liability

Essential if any employee or contractor drives their own vehicle on your behalf across Rhode Island.

Rental Property Registration

Many Rhode Island municipalities require rental properties to be registered annually. Registration often requires current insurance and a valid Certificate of Occupancy. Failure to register or maintain insurance can result in fines and bar the owner from collecting rent.

Certificate of Occupancy

Before any tenant can legally occupy a rental unit, the property must pass inspection and receive a Certificate of Occupancy. After a covered loss, the building must be re-inspected before re-occupancy, extending the loss-of-rents period.

RI Minimum Liability Requirements

Rhode Island law requires rental property owners to carry liability insurance with minimum limits, ensuring adequate protection for tenants and visitors. Proof must be filed with the municipality annually.

Lead Paint Disclosure

Older Rhode Island properties may have lead paint, necessitating disclosure and remediation obligations. A lead-related claim can generate significant liability exposure. Ensure your GL policy responds to lead claims.