Business Insurance for Plaza Offices in Maslak: Covers for Tenant Companies

Maslak is known for its business centres and office towers, often called plazas. Many companies operating here, including international firms, regional offices and start-ups run by expats, use their office as tenants. A common misconception among owners and managers is that the building is already insured, so the office must be protected as well. In fact, the policy arranged by the plaza management is usually limited to the building and common areas. The tenant company’s assets and liabilities inside the office are often outside it. This guide looks at business insurance for plaza offices from the tenant’s point of view.

What the building policy covers and what it does not

Insurance arranged by the plaza management or building owner generally protects the structure, the common areas and the shared installations. Lifts, the lobby, the façade and central systems fall within this scope. However, the following items belonging to the tenant are usually not included in the building policy:

• Office furniture and fixtures such as desks, chairs and cabinets
• Computers, servers, printers and other electronic equipment
• Fit-out work paid for by the tenant, such as partition walls, suspended ceilings, flooring and lighting
• Documents, archives and valuable company items kept in the office
• Damage caused by the tenant’s fault to the building owner or other tenants

So the first step is to read the lease and find out what the building management’s insurance covers. This makes clear which items are your responsibility. If the lease is only in Turkish, ask for the insurance clauses to be explained before you sign.

Core covers for a tenant office

Fixtures and fit-out

Office fixtures and the tenant’s fit-out investment can be insured in a business policy against risks such as fire, internal water and theft, with a declared value. Fit-out often represents a serious cost; assuming the building policy covers it can turn into a large loss after damage.

Electronic equipment cover

Electronic equipment is among the most valuable assets of a plaza office. Depending on the policy terms, electronic equipment cover may include risks such as short circuits, power surges and accidental damage. Also ask whether protection continues when laptops are taken out of the office.

Internal water damage

In office towers, a plumbing fault on an upper floor or the activation of the sprinkler system can cause water damage to offices below. Check how this kind of damage is treated in your policy.

Glass breakage

Glass partitions inside the office and glass items belonging to the tenant can be protected with glass breakage cover. Exterior façade glass is usually a matter for the building policy; make this split clear in your lease.

Liability covers

For tenant companies, liability covers matter at least as much as property covers:

• Tenant’s liability: covers liability towards the building owner for a fire or water damage caused by the tenant’s fault.
• Third-party liability: protects against liability for accidents suffered by clients or suppliers visiting the office.
• Employer’s liability: protects against claims employees may bring against the employer after a workplace accident. This works alongside, not instead of, the state scheme run by SGK, the Social Security Institution.

Business interruption and digital risks

After a fire or water damage, an office may be unusable for some time, while rent, salaries and other fixed costs continue. Loss of profit or business interruption cover, available in some business policies, can pay for losses caused by the disruption after an insured loss, according to the policy terms.

Most plaza-based companies run their business digitally. Risks such as data loss, cyber attacks and data leaks fall outside a classic business policy. Our guide cyber insurance for small businesses explains the options.

Checklist for a plaza office

1. Read the insurance clauses in the lease.
2. Ask the building management what the existing policy covers.
3. Make an inventory of your fixtures and electronic equipment.
4. Document the cost of your fit-out.
5. Review liability limits according to the size of your business.
6. Consider business interruption cover based on your needs.

Moving office, expanding or renting an extra floor also require the policy to be updated. Before moving, find out how the policy will transfer to the new address and whether your belongings are protected during the move. A growing team, new equipment or more client visits may also mean liability limits need a fresh look.

Communication with the building management matters too. In a loss, the building policy and the tenant’s policy may cover the same event from different angles. For example, if water comes from the floor above, damage to the building is assessed under the building policy, while damage to your fixtures and fit-out is assessed under your policy. Keeping the building management’s insurance details and contact person on file speeds things up.

Small offices and shared workspaces

It is not only large firms that work from plazas; small consulting, software or accounting offices do too. Even if the equipment value seems limited, a loss can stop work for days. In shared workspaces, clarify which items belong to your business and which to the space provider. Rather than relying on the provider’s policy for your own laptop and equipment, ask what it covers and arrange your own protection if needed. For teams working between home and office, ask whether portable devices are protected at other addresses as well.

See the options on our business insurance page. As Ailenizin Sigortacısı, we serve companies in the area from our office in Maslak by comparing quotes from different insurers. For a quote that suits your office, call +90 530 375 89 61 or message us on WhatsApp; English-speaking support is available.