Plate Glass Insurance in Malaysia: What Is Covered, What Isn't and Who Needs It

The short answer

Plate glass insurance covers accidental breakage of fixed glass at your premises, such as shopfront windows, glass doors, display counters and signs, and often related costs like emergency boarding up. It is not the same as fire insurance or all risk insurance, and it is most useful for shops, offices, clinics and restaurants where glass is a prominent part of the property. It can be included in a wider business insurance programme or arranged on its own.

What is plate glass insurance?

It is a specialist cover for glass. Large panes are expensive to replace, can be hard to source quickly and leave your premises exposed when broken. Plate glass insurance is designed to pay for repair or replacement after accidental breakage, so your business is not left dealing with it alone.

What is usually covered?

Wording varies by insurer, but cover commonly extends to:

• Shopfront windows and glass doors
• Glass partitions and display cabinets
• Glass signs and lettering, if declared
• Glass shelves and counters
• Emergency boarding up and temporary protection, where the policy includes them

Ask your insurance broker or agency whether frames, lettering and installation costs are included, as this differs between policies.

What is usually not covered?

• Scratches, chips and wear and tear
• Breakage that happens during installation, removal or alterations
• Glass that was already cracked when the policy started
• Damage from events insured under other policies, such as fire or flood
• Deliberate damage by the policyholder, and neglect
• Decorative or intricately designed glass, unless it is specifically included
• Glass in vehicles and in transit

Read the policy wording carefully and confirm the details with your insurance broker or agency before you rely on the cover.

Plate glass vs fire and all risk insurance

Fire insurance covers the building or contents against fire and certain related perils. All risk insurance is broader, but may still treat glass breakage separately or exclude it. Plate glass insurance fills that gap. See our articles on all risk vs fire insurance and what fire insurance does and doesn't cover.

Who needs plate glass insurance?

• Retail shops with display windows
• Restaurants, cafes and salons with glass frontage
• Offices with glass doors and partitions
• Showrooms and clinics
• Landlords, and tenants whose lease makes them responsible for glass

Check your tenancy agreement. Many leases require the tenant to repair or replace broken glass.

Common questions

Does my landlord's insurance cover my shopfront glass?
Not necessarily. Read your tenancy agreement to see who is responsible for the glass, and ask your landlord what their policy covers.

Is glass covered if someone breaks in?
Burglary damage may fall under a theft or burglary policy rather than plate glass cover, so check how your policies fit together.

Do I need to list each window?
Insurers often ask for the number, size and type of panes. Your insurance broker or agency can help you gather this.

What if a customer is hurt by broken glass?
That is a liability matter rather than a glass claim. Public liability insurance is the cover to look at.

Related reading

• Fire insurance for businesses
• Is all risk insurance worth it if I already have fire insurance?
• Navigating public liability insurance choices
• David Teh on fire insurance tips (Cover Buddies Podcast)

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