Miami Broward Palm Beach Florida Insurance Attorneys. The loss of business and the sheer uncertainty of both the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the 30-day timeline have raised more questions than answers. Unfortunately, not all businesses will be able to survive. However, those businesses with “business interruption” coverage in their insurance policies may offer them an avenue to recoup some of their lost revenues during this down time.
Understanding business interruption and how the policy clause relates to COVID-19 is difficult. Commercial property insurance that includes business interruption coverage is designed to compensate owners for lost revenues from forced or unforeseen closure. Although some of these policies include clauses to cover losses when a government agency stops a business from operating, this insurance typically covers weather-related incidents that can be held directly responsible for physical loss to property, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires and windstorms.
But as fear and the reality of losing income mounts from shutdowns and recommendations for social-distancing continues, business owners with interruption clauses in their commercial property insurance policies want to know if a virus can cause physical damage.
Businesses are filing lawsuits against insurance companies
Although a virus would not normally be seen as having the ability to cause physical property damage, COVID-19 may compromise the premises to create a dangerous risk, such as contaminated surfaces or the overall air quality. That’s the argument attorneys for a New Orleans’ restaurant are presenting in a civil district court in what was believed to be the first U.S. business to file suit against an insurance company to cover losses due to a government-ordered coronavirus closure. Other cases are now following suit around the country under the same theory to challenge the exclusions and allow coverage under these policies, as the virus is now having such a devastating effect on business.
More lawsuits are likely to follow around the country and the debate over business interruption coverage is not likely to be quelled anytime soon. Meanwhile, legislators in at least four states are considering enacting laws that would allow retroactive changes to insurance policies that would require insurers to make payouts for business interruptions resulting from coronavirus. The constitutionality of these measures has yet to be tested by the courts.
To arrange a consultation, please contact us by email or call 305-374-7974. We represent clients with insurance disputes throughout the State of Florida.
You have the right to any and all benefits specified in your policy and do not have to settle for a denial or underpaid claim. If you have become involved in an insurance dispute, please call 305-374-7974.
