Business Interruption Insurance And Other Legal Issues Relating To The Coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19, commonly known as the Coronavirus, has caused worldwide business disruption. Many businesses have lost, and will continue to lose, significant income and incur other business interruption losses. You might be wondering if your business interruption insurance, normally part of a larger property insurance policy, will cover your losses.

Most insurers are routinely denying business interruption claims by misrepresenting that the Coronavirus does not constitute physical loss or damage. They are also denying claims for business interruption under the “civil authority” provisions of policies claiming no physical loss was present outside of the insured’s property, despite civil orders requiring businesses to close. Insurers are routinely making other misrepresentations surrounding business interruption claims. Wolterman Law Office takes a stand for our business clients against these wrongful responses by insurers.

Your Business Interruption Claim May Be Covered (Even If Your Insurer Has Denied It)

Do not take your insurer’s word that your policy will not cover business interruption losses.

Business interruption insurance coverage depends on your policy’s terms and the circumstances surrounding the loss experienced by your business. If your policy does not exclude damage by a virus, for instance, your business has a strong argument that coverage should extend to the coronavirus.

Even with business interruption policies with no virus exclusion, insurers are routinely denying business interruption claims when insureds file the claim themselves. Having an attorney experienced in insurance coverage litigation on board early in the business interruption claim process is critical. We can help:

• Properly frame and provide documentation for the proof of loss not just for the business interruption claim but also the civil authority claim, extended business income claims, dependent property claims, property damage claims, contingent business interruption claims, and other related business interruption claims;
• Set forth the legal authority, including case law, for why the coronavirus constitutes a direct physical loss invoking business interruption coverage;
• Clearly set forth in writing the extra-contractual risks to the insurer such as bad faith liability and responsibility to pay the insured’s attorney fees if the insured wrongfully denies coverage;
• Document in detail the lost business interruption income and expenses for the insurance claim file;
• Meet all deadlines in the claim process as required by law and the policy;
• To clearly set forth and monitor the insurer’s responsibilities and obligations under Fair Claims Settlement Practices laws and policies, including insurer’s responsibilities to meet deadlines and conduct adequate investigations;
• To persistently communicate to the insurer in writing the urgency of the business interruption claim and the risk to the business during this pandemic, and
• To be willing to escalate the matter with legal action.

If your business interruption claim has been denied, if you have been issued a reservation of rights letter, or if your insurer is delaying acceptance or investigation of your business interruption claim, please contact Wolterman Law Office.

In many states, including Ohio, insurers are required to pay an insured’s attorney fees if they wrongfully deny business interruption coverage. We are accepting certain of these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you may not have to pay us unless you are paid by the insurer.

Do Not Hesitate To Contact Us

Call 513-488-1135 or complete our online form for a free consultation and review of your policy.