My email inbox fills up too quickly each day with inquiries from clients and former clients concerning whether they have Business Interruption coverage for the economic losses that they are currently incurring as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.…
Following in the footsteps of New Jersey, the states of Ohio and Massachusetts have filed proposed legislation that could result in small businesses qualifying for business interruption coverage from their insurance policies. The New Jersey Legislation, which has faced strong opposition from the insurance lobby, was focused on compelling insurance companies to cover claims by small business owners for damages resulting from COVID-19 up to the limits of their policies. …
Are you wondering if your commercial business interruption insurance policy will provide coverage for your financial losses incurred during this Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic? You are not alone and the answer can be a bit elusive. Today is the start of a series of blogs that I will be writing to help inform you about the ever-changing insurance and legal landscape around the coronavirus and business interruption insurance coverage. I encourage each of you to stay informed and work with trusted sources. This initial blog will review a few cases that may play a part in determining the impact viruses play when filing commercial business interruption claims.…
I watched along with millions of people around the world in disbelief and sadness as flames engulfed Paris’ majestic Notre Dame Cathedral.The iconic international treasure has served as a place of Catholic worship for more than eight centuries and hosts nearly 13 million visitors of all ethnicities and religions each year.…
My last BLOG, published in January 2019, addressed the above question: Does a company have coverage if, under false pretenses, an unsuspecting employee wires funds to a third party? The BLOG was well read and obviously the topic remains of significant interest based on the number of lookalike cases triggering lawsuits and the inconsistency in court rulings.…
I was hacked! Figuratively, that is, my computer and not physically. Hard to tell which is a worse fate. In pre-computer days, one of our worst nightmares was getting held up for our wallets. It was our “money or our lives.” Usually, the perps wanted our cash and credit cards. Assuming we were not physically harmed, this was a nightmare with “limitations.” All we really lost (in addition to peace of mind) was the cash we were carrying, the time spent canceling and replacing credit cards and the tedious trip to the DMV for a replacement driver’s license.…
We received such positive feedback from readers of our first “war story” described in the August 2, 2018 BLOG (Good Guys Win the Battle: A Recent Property Insurance Settlement War Story), we decided to follow that one with another report from the trenches on a timely topic. However, as the issue we are about to describe is a current matter, we are characterizing it conceptually as a paradoxical insurance coverage issue rather than an existing claim.…
A fire severely damaged your home compelling you to move out while it is being repaired. You gather a few salvageable necessities and vacate the premises expecting your insurance policy to cover living expenses. Your insurance company says, “not so fast, buster” and directs you to the small print in the policy. Uh oh, you weren’t prepared for loopholes.…
The insurer says, “Okay,” presenting you the workup of a damage estimate and hoping the amount will pass the blink test. But the number isn’t all right with you. You have tried in good faith to resolve your insurance claim for the significant damage to your business, residential real estate or personal property, but the insurance company offered $x and you want/need/deserve and are actually insured for $x-plus-plus-plus!…
