BI claims during COVID: What the courts will examine first
April 30, 2020 by Greg MeckbachWhen business interruption coverage disputes arising from COVID-19 make their way into court, judges may look at whether insurers priced for pandemic, but by far the key consideration will be policy language, says one insurance defence lawyer. “Because an insurance…
Is the risk of coronavirus a ‘physical loss’ to the property?
April 29, 2020 by Greg MeckbachCommercial insurers may say that business interruption does not normally apply to the pandemic because coverage only kicks in when there is an insurable property loss. However, some clients’ lawyers are arguing the coronavirus should in fact be considered a…
Meet the restauranteur who’s taking the industry to court over pandemic BI coverage
April 14, 2020 by Greg MeckbachBelieve it or not, some commercial clients expect business interruption insurance to cover loss of income if the business gets interrupted, even if the cause of the interruption is a pandemic. Regina restaurant owner Thomas Siarkos is one such client.…
The advice some lawyers give commercial clients over pandemic BI coverage
April 9, 2020 by Greg MeckbachBrokers advising commercial clients that business interruption is not usually covered during a pandemic should not be surprised if those clients are hearing something different from their lawyers. “I would caution policyholders to thoroughly review their specific policy language before…
How IBAO wants brokers to treat pandemic business interruption losses
March 27, 2020 by Greg MeckbachWith the widespread impact of pandemic-induced business income losses, the property and casualty industry is looking for a good way of dealing with a high volume of potential business interruption notices of loss. “The IBAO is asking business clients not…
HUB’s advice to corporate clients who don’t have COVID-19 coverage
March 25, 2020 by Greg MeckbachHub International is encouraging corporate clients to report business interruption losses arising from COVID-19 even if they think those claims will likely be denied. “This way, the insurance companies can provide the official response,” said Mike Moyer, Toronto-based senior vice…
Take-up rates low in this line of commercial insurance: Lloyd’s
October 22, 2019 by Greg MeckbachIs your client’s loss of income covered if the business got interrupted because of a catastrophe that hit a supplier? That depends on what the policy says and whether the client actually bought contingent business interruption (CBI) insurance. And these…
Alberta grocer’s subrogated $761,000 profit loss claim before the courts
October 9, 2019 by Greg MeckbachAfter an Alberta shopping mall experienced its fourth roof collapse, an IGA supermarket lost millions in sales because it had to close for more than six months. A business interruption claim of nearly $800,000 followed, but the calculation of the…
St. Paul Fire & Marine wins business interruption coverage dispute
August 7, 2019 by Greg MeckbachSay a commercial insurance policy stipulates that a coverage dispute lawsuit cannot proceed unless the client launches it within a year of discovering the loss. What happens if there is business interruption both before and after start of the limitations…
Why record Great Lakes levels could cause billions in business losses
June 28, 2019 Christopher Reynolds - THE CANADIAN PRESSRising water levels are causing delays in the St. Lawrence Seaway that could cost the economy more than $1 billion, shippers and port operators say. A new study from the Chamber of Marine Commerce warns that opening the floodgates further…
Why brokers need to talk about ransomware
November 28, 2018 by Jason ContantRansomware attacks are increasing, and as a result, there will likely be a shift in brokers and clients alike starting to recognize the value of the business interruption component of a cyber insurance policy, a specialist insurer said Monday. “Cybercrime…
How business interruption claims could play out in the legal marijuana space
November 8, 2018 by Jason ContantSupply challenges associated with marijuana legalization in Canada will lead to potentially costly business interruption (BI) and contingent business interruption (CBI) claims, an adjusting firm told Canadian Underwriter Tuesday. Because it’s an emerging market, there are a limited number of…