What is the maximum number of stories for an office building to be eligible for a businessowners policy?

A businessowners policy (BOP) is designed to provide a range of insurance coverage primarily for small to medium-sized businesses, including protection for property and liability. One of the qualifications for a building to be insured under a BOP is its height, as certain risks increase for taller structures.

For an office building to be eligible for a businessowners policy, it must be six stories or less. This limitation is set to manage the underwriting risks associated with buildings that may have more complex safety and liability concerns that arise with increased height, such as evacuation in emergencies or increased construction costs. Buildings taller than six stories typically fall into a different category of insurance due to those increased risks, thus making it a requirement for eligibility under a BOP to adhere to this height limit. This ensures that the property can be adequately evaluated and covered by the policy.