Evaluating business interruption claims in a post-COVID-19 world

Assuming that coverage is triggered, the insured and insurer will benefit from working together to determine an accurate and supportable claimed loss. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused unthinkable disruptions. As businesses shut their doors due to government mandates, many are expecting their insurance policies to cover some, if not all, of their business losses due to the COVID-19 disruption.

Most insureds are evaluating their coverage under some variation of business interruption, including communicable disease, business income, contingent business interruption, interruption due to civil or military authority, ingress/egress and event cancellation. There has been much debate concerning whether or not insurance will cover disruptions caused by COVID-19, but a form of coverage may be triggered under some policies.