Tagged: COVID-19

As the coronavirus continues to dominate the news cycle, the actual (and anticipated) impact on business operations and business continuity has hijacked the attention of owners, managers, and C-suite executives at all levels and in all industries. Among the myriad issues to be resolved, one obvious question is the extent to which insurance coverage is available for business losses arising from this public health crisis, including reduction of business income, incurring of extra expenses, disruption of supply chains, event cancellations, and potential liability from stakeholder lawsuits. Some companies may have purchased specialized forms of insurance policies that are designed to provide specific coverage for losses suffered as a result of public health crises. However, the vast majority of companies will need to look to their traditional insurance policies – like property and directors and officers coverage – in order to obtain available insurance, if any, for these business related losses. As an initial matter, coverage for actual loss of business income and extra expense is typically part of a company’s property insurance policy and not separate, standalone coverage. Therefore, coverage for business income and related losses depends on demonstrating that these losses resulted from “physical loss” or “damage” to covered property. Coverage may also be available if civil authorities prohibit access to the Insured’s premises...