COVID-19 Coronavirus
​
BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE CLAIMS
COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS
BUSINESS INTERRUPTION
INSURANCE CLAIMS
Weeks without revenue have made it impossible to cover even modest expenses, especially those who were forced to close or remain closed under Governor Tom Wolf’s stay-at-home order. Civil authorities across the country have ordered many businesses to close to the public, both large and small, and it’s having enormous consequences for millions of Americans.
Today, thousands of so-called "non-essential" business owners are struggling to recover losses, and some of them are finding an additional roadblock where they thought they’d find help.
​
Most business insurance policies include coverage for lost earnings due to government shutdowns. This coverage is typically called “Business Interruption” and “Civil Authority” coverage. Insurance companies are denying business interruption claims, even though the state requirements represent nothing short of a costly business disruption.
If your business insurance company recently denied your business interruption insurance claim, then let us help. The attorneys at Daly & Clemente believe you deserve the coverage you paid for, and we’ll fight for you to get it.
​​
If you have a business interruption insurance policy and your insurance company is denying, delaying, or underpaying your claim, call us. Even if you think they are right, contact us to take a second look at your case, for free. To learn more about how our attorneys may be able to help, please fill out our no-cost case review form today.
WHAT IS BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE?
Business interruption insurance, also called business continuity insurance, is coverage that protects a business from income loss as a result of business interruption, suspension of operations, business "shut down," or disaster.
​
Unlike property insurance, business interruption insurance can cover the revenue that would have been earned if not for the circumstances that led to the interruption of business.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created exceedingly difficult circumstances for business owners. Business closures were ordered with little to no advance warning, causing dramatic—and sometimes total—losses.
Our team of business interruption insurance attorneys is here to help. We're available to answer your questions about what options you have—and what your rights as a business owner are under the law.
​
Contact us right away if:
​
-
You have filed a business interruption claim;
​
-
You have had a business interruption claim denied;
​
-
You wonder whether or not a business interruption claim is something you should file.
Are my losses covered?
THAT'S WHY YOU NEED OUR EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS
Many small business owners are filing claims; unfortunately, many insurance companies are denying those claims.
​
In some cases, this is due to the definition of “damages.” Business interruption policies require the presence of clear physical damage (e.g., broken windows, fire and smoke damage, etc.) to validate the claim. However, business owners are quick to point out that even though the virus may not leave behind a visual trail of destruction, contaminated surfaces, inventory, HVAC systems, etc. represent a form of physical damage.
​
While viruses may not always have a clear place in business interruption policies, other perils are included in policy underwriting. Some policies, for instance, include civil authority ingress/egress clauses.
​
Under a civil authority clause, policyholders have a right to file a claim if they were forced to halt business operations due to government-issued orders that prevented an individual from entering or exiting a property.
A loss of business due to emergency city closures and curfews may be covered under this type of policy. As such, there may be legal grounds to pursue a claim should your business be shut down due to government orders, as is the case with so many Pennsylvania small businesses that were forced to close due to the ongoing COVID 19 crisis.
​
​Approved Business Interruption/Loss Insurance Claims typically cover the following:
​
-
Lost revenue based on what you’d typically make if your business remained operational.
​
-
Payroll for all employees
​
-
Mortgage and lease/rent payments for the business in question
​
-
Tax payments (monthly and quarterly)
​
-
Business loan payments that are due while your business is closed
​
-
Relocation costs associated with a new location or a temporary location
