Business Interruption and Other Coverage Disputes Over COVID-19 Claim Denials

July 19th, 2020|Categories: Emerging Litigation & Risk, HB Emerging Law Notes, HB Risk Notes|Tags: , , , , , |

When it Comes to COVID-19 Shutdown Losses, Businesses Say Yes, Insurers Say No    Whenever a dispute arises over insurance coverage, the advice always starts off with “read the policy.” Well, policyholder businesses and insurers across the country are reading the same policies, but you wouldn’t know it. Claims are made. Claims are denied. Insureds say they are damaged. Insurers say they aren’t. And, because billions of dollars hang in the balance, litigation is born. And when you start messing with our favorite taste sensations, you know the sh!t is getting real. Here are a few recent actions for insurance law watchers out there.  --Tom Hagy, Managing Director Insurer-insured relationships sour in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Tennessee.   Owners of the popular Madison Sourdough bakery lost tremendous business because of a statewide “safer at home” order. Patrons and restaurants were denied their Viennoiserie, “yeast-leavened breakfast pastries,” a treat they came to love. The same was true for a chain of taverns, Willy McCoys. The drinking and eating establishments could not serve their loyal following of “everyday Joes” due to the COVID-19 [...]