Mixed-Use Building Insurance
Mixed-use buildings combine commercial tenants on the ground floor with residential units above. That mix creates unique risks: a restaurant tenant’s kitchen fire can damage apartments, and residential tenants add habitational liability. Many carriers won’t write mixed-use properties, but Pacific Southwest Insurance Services has markets that do.
Get a free quote today. Call (818) 701-1033 or email info@pswinsurance.com. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Who We Insure
Our mixed-use building clients include:
- Retail below, apartments above
- Office below, residential above
- Restaurant tenants with apartments
- Live-work lofts
- Main street storefront buildings
- New mixed-use developments
Coverage Options
- Building coverage: Protects the entire structure, including commercial and residential areas.
- Loss of rents: Replaces income from both commercial and residential tenants after a covered loss.
- Liability: Covers injuries in common areas, storefronts, stairways and parking areas.
- Ordinance or law: Covers code upgrades required during repairs.
- Equipment breakdown: Covers shared building systems like HVAC and elevators.
- Umbrella liability: Adds extra liability limits above your primary policy.
What Affects Your Premium
Every property is different. Carriers typically look at:
- Types of commercial tenants (restaurants cost more)
- Number of residential units
- Building age and updates
- Fire separation between uses
- Sprinklers and alarms
- Location
- Claims history
As an independent agency, we compare options from multiple insurance companies to find the right coverage at a competitive price.
Why Choose Pacific Southwest Insurance Services
- Family-owned and serving California since 1965, now writing coverage nationwide
- Access to multiple commercial property carriers, including markets for hard-to-place risks
- Fast certificates of insurance and lender evidence of property
- One agency for your property, general liability, commercial auto, bonds and more
- A real person answers the phone and knows your account
Common Claims We See
- Tenant kitchen fires: A restaurant tenant’s fire can spread to the apartments above.
- Water leaks between floors: Leaks from upstairs units damage stores below.
- Common-area injuries: Shared stairways, hallways and sidewalks lead to slip-and-falls.
- Smoke and odor damage: Fire and smoke from one unit can affect the whole building.
Tips for Mixed-Use Building Owners
- Require commercial tenants to carry their own insurance and name you as additional insured.
- Install water leak sensors and know where every shutoff valve is.
- Make sure kitchen tenants keep hoods cleaned and fire suppression inspected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is mixed-use property harder to insure?
Carriers have to underwrite both commercial and residential risks. Some tenants, like restaurants or bars, raise the fire and liability risk for the whole building.
Should my commercial tenants carry their own insurance?
Yes. Require general liability and property coverage in your leases, and ask to be named as additional insured.
Is earthquake damage covered?
No. Standard commercial property policies exclude earthquake. In California we strongly recommend a separate commercial earthquake or difference-in-conditions (DIC) policy, and we can quote one alongside your property coverage.
Does my commercial tenant’s business affect my rate?
Yes. Restaurants, bars and other higher-risk tenants raise rates, while offices and retail usually cost less.
Can I insure the residential and commercial units on one policy?
Usually, yes. One policy can cover the whole building, its liability and loss of rents.
Other Properties We Insure
- Office Building Insurance
- Retail Store & Strip Center Insurance
- Apartment Building Insurance
- Warehouse & Distribution Center Insurance
- Industrial & Manufacturing Building Insurance
- Medical & Dental Office Insurance
- Self-Storage Facility Insurance
- Vacant Building Insurance
- Builder’s Risk Insurance
- Restaurant & Bar Property Insurance
- Contractor Shop & Yard Insurance
- Auto Repair & Body Shop Insurance
- Hotel & Motel Insurance
- Church & House of Worship Insurance
- Gas Station & Convenience Store Insurance
- Salon, Barbershop & Spa Insurance
- Gym & Fitness Studio Property Insurance
- Daycare & School Insurance
- Dry Cleaner & Laundromat Insurance
- Landlord & Rental Property Insurance
- Business Tenant Insurance
- HOA & Condo Association Insurance
- Commercial Real Estate Investor Insurance
- Commercial Earthquake Insurance
- Business Interruption Insurance
- Equipment Breakdown Insurance
- Commercial Flood Insurance
- Inland Marine & Contractor’s Equipment Insurance
Don’t see your property type? We insure most commercial properties. See all commercial property coverage.
Get a Mixed-Use Building Insurance Quote
Tell us about your property and we’ll shop the market for you. Call (818) 701-1033, email info@pswinsurance.com, or visit our office at 9036 Reseda Blvd., Suite 105, Northridge, CA.
Get a Free Quote
Tell us what you need and a licensed agent will follow up, usually the same business day.