Property Owners Insurance on the Sunshine Coast: Protecting Your Investment

Introduction

Owning an investment property—whether commercial or residential—can be one of the most rewarding financial decisions. But it also comes with risks. From unexpected tenant damage to natural disasters, vacant periods, or liability claims, the financial impact of being unprepared can be significant.

For landlords and investors across the Sunshine Coast, Buderim, Maroochydore and surrounding regions, Property Owners Insurance is a crucial safeguard. It ensures that your rental property is protected against damage, liability, and income loss, helping you maintain stability and peace of mind.

At Design Cover Insurance Brokers, we specialise in tailoring property owners insurance policies that reflect the unique risks faced by residential and commercial landlords in Queensland.

What Is Property Owners Insurance?

Property Owners Insurance—sometimes referred to as Landlord Insurance—provides protection for landlords against risks associated with renting out property.

Cover typically includes:

  • Damage to the building or fixtures.

  • Loss of rental income due to an insured event.

  • Liability claims from tenants, visitors, or members of the public.

  • Optional extras such as contents, rent default, or malicious damage.

Policies can be arranged for both residential properties (such as houses, units, townhouses, and apartments) and commercial properties (such as shops, offices, warehouses, and industrial spaces).

Why Property Owners Insurance Matters

Owning a rental property is a long-term investment, but it’s also exposed to risks outside of your control. For landlords in Buderim, Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast, some common challenges include:

  • Severe weather events – Queensland is no stranger to storms, floods, and bushfires that can cause significant property damage.

  • Tenant risks – Even reliable tenants may accidentally cause damage or fail to meet rent obligations.

  • Liability exposure – A tenant or visitor could suffer injury or damage on your property, leaving you open to claims.

  • Vacancy losses – When damage renders your property unliveable or unfit for business, rental income can stop overnight.

Without insurance, these risks can quickly erode the return on your investment.

What Does Property Owners Insurance Cover?

Building and Fixtures

Protects the structure of your property—walls, roofing, flooring, and fixed fittings—against events like fire, storm damage, vandalism, and accidental damage.

Rental Income Protection

Compensates for lost rent if your property becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event such as fire, flood, or storm.

Liability Cover

Protects landlords against claims from tenants, visitors, or contractors injured on the property, or if their belongings are damaged.

Contents Cover (Optional)

If you provide furnished residential properties or maintain equipment in a commercial space, you can insure contents such as appliances, furniture, or office fit-outs.

Tenant-Related Cover (Optional)

Some policies include cover for rent default, malicious damage by tenants, or legal costs related to disputes.

Residential vs Commercial Property Owners Insurance

Residential Landlord Insurance

For landlords leasing houses, apartments, or townhouses, cover can include:

  • Loss of rent.

  • Tenant default.

  • Malicious damage.

  • Damage from natural disasters.

Commercial Property Owners Insurance

For owners of offices, shops, warehouses, and industrial spaces, policies are tailored to higher-value assets and specific tenant risks. Cover often includes:

  • Building damage and loss of rent.

  • Liability to tenants and third parties.

  • Business interruption from property damage.

At Design Cover, we work with property owners across the Sunshine Coast to ensure their cover reflects both the type of property and the nature of their rental arrangements.

Real-Life Claim Scenarios

  1. Storm Damage in Maroochydore
    A severe storm damages the roof of a commercial warehouse, forcing the tenant to vacate. Property Owners Insurance covers both the repair costs and the lost rental income during the downtime.

  2. Tenant Accident in Buderim
    A tenant slips on a poorly lit stairwell in a residential unit and suffers an injury. The landlord faces a liability claim, which is covered under their policy.

  3. Malicious Damage in Sunshine Coast Hinterland
    Tenants leave a rental house with significant intentional damage. The landlord’s insurance covers repair costs and lost rental income.

Who Should Consider Property Owners Insurance?

This insurance is essential for:

  • Residential landlords – from single property owners to large portfolios.

  • Commercial landlords – owning shops, offices, warehouses, or industrial premises.

  • Mixed-use property owners – where commercial and residential tenants share a property.

  • SMSF property investors – ensuring fund assets are properly protected.

If you lease out property in Buderim, Maroochydore or anywhere across the Sunshine Coast, protecting your investment with insurance is a smart financial step.

How Much Cover Do You Need?

The level of cover depends on:

  • The type of property (residential vs commercial).

  • The property’s location and exposure to weather events.

  • The rental income value.

  • Whether optional extras (like rent default or malicious damage) are included.

At Design Cover, we help landlords accurately value their assets and ensure they have the right protection in place.

What’s Not Covered?

Exclusions vary, but commonly include:

  • General wear and tear.

  • Pre-existing property damage.

  • Tenant default (unless specifically included).

  • Maintenance issues (e.g. leaking taps, mould).

Understanding exclusions is vital—our role as brokers is to make sure landlords on the Sunshine Coast know exactly where their protection starts and ends.

Cost of Property Owners Insurance

Premiums are influenced by:

  • Location of the property (e.g. flood-prone areas may attract higher premiums).

  • Property value and construction type.

  • Tenant profile (residential, retail, industrial).

  • Rental income.

  • Optional extras selected.

Although costs vary, the price of being uninsured is far greater—especially when faced with a major claim.

Why Work With Design Cover?

Every landlord has different needs, and no two policies are identical. At Design Cover Insurance Brokers, we:

  • Compare multiple insurers to find tailored policies.

  • Advise on building, contents, and liability limits.

  • Explain optional extras like rent default and malicious damage.

  • Support you through the claims process if an incident occurs.

Being based on the Sunshine Coast, we understand local risks—from storm season to tenancy issues—and help landlords in Buderim, Maroochydore and across the region get the right level of cover.

Conclusion: Protect Your Investment with Confidence

Your rental property is more than just bricks and mortar—it’s a financial asset and a long-term investment. Protecting it with Property Owners Insurance ensures you’re covered for building damage, lost rental income, and liability claims.

At Design Cover, we work with residential and commercial landlords across the Sunshine Coast, Buderim and Maroochydore to tailor cover that suits your property type and rental arrangements.

📞 Call Tanya today on 0419 550 677
📧 Email hello@designcover.com.au