COVID-19 Business Interruption Claims
No longer accepting claims for this case
Whether due to fire, natural disaster or other crises, business interruption insurance is a crucial tool that helps businesses withstand unexpected emergencies and major events that force them to close their doors. Some insurance companies have refused to honor the business interruption policies they issued, however, especially now as the world grapples with record closures affecting hundreds of thousands of businesses due to the novel COVID-19 pandemic.
If your insurer denies your business interruption claim and you face economic losses, litigation may help you force your insurance company to honor wrongfully denied claims. Several states are also considering legislation to protect vulnerable businesses.
Affected businesses
Insurers may deny business interruption claims for a number of reasons, but some insurers have specifically cited the COVID-19 pandemic, stating property damage or other policy requirements were not met. Businesses such as:
- Hotels
- Restaurant groups
- Medical offices
- Fitness centers
- Rental agencies
Our experience fighting for businesses and insurance policyholders
As one of the nation’s largest plaintiffs’ law firms, Motley Rice has extensive experience helping businesses and communities recover from economic hardships caused by unexpected, devastating events. Motley Rice co-founder Joe Rice was one of the co-lead negotiators for the BP Economic and Property Damages Settlement, the largest civil class action settlement in U.S. history, which compensated businesses and others who suffered monetary losses and property damage, including lost profits, property sales and growth potential, stemming from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion. Our attorneys also represented thousands of people and businesses, large and small, in lawsuits against BP over the spill and during the settlement claims process. Our clients included, among others, restaurants, car dealerships, franchisees, developers, real estate companies, doctors, dentists, gyms and other fitness service providers.
In addition to handling business interruption claims, our attorneys are litigating against Cigna and investigating other global insurance providers accused of violating their plans and policies by fraudulently inflating copayments, coinsurance, deductibles and other costs for home-patient services and medical products. Read more on that litigation.
Related news:
The Washington Post (May 19, 2020): Restaurants are suing insurance companies over unpaid claims — and both sides say their survival is at stake
Reuters (April 29, 2020): U.S. insurers want taxpayers to back pandemic coverage for businesses
Claims Journal (April 16, 2020): More States Introduce COVID-19 Business-Interruption Bills
