Dear Valued Client,
I’m sure that you are as concerned as I am about the COVID-19 virus and the potential impacts it could have on you, your business, its employees and their families
With this in mind and with particular reference the your Business Combined Insurance policy providing Business Interruption cover, I am writing to you to clarify the current position
Whilst your insurance policy may cover a claim for Business Interruption, Coronavirus is classed as an Emerging Disease and as such standard Business Interruption Cover does not include this.
Business Interruption Cover is intended to respond to physical damage at the property which results in a business being unable to trade. The statement from the Association of British Insurers details this further here.
We are advising our clients to keep careful records of any monetary losses – as these may be needed if the Government later announces a Compensation Package for businesses affected by this Disease Outbreak.
https://www.abi.org.uk/news/news-articles/2020/03/statement-on-business-insurance-and-coronavirus/
In respect as to what will happen if the business remain closed for over 14 days:
Unoccupied Businesses
Should your business establishment become unoccupied the standard policy coverage for unoccupied properties will apply. It is hoped that the shutdown will only last for 14 days and therefore it shouldn’t be an issue. Please ensure you look after these premises during this time. Please refer to the specific policy wording for exact terms and conditions regarding unoccupancy or call one of my team to check theses terms and conditions
At the moment are experiencing a high volume of calls. If you wish to discuss this in more detail, please contact our MD – via email simon@allsopcommercialservices.co.uk
We will be continuing to update our News Link on our web site www.allsopcommercialservices.co.uk with up to date information
At ACS we appreciate this is an extremely difficult time for many of our clients and we are here to help.
Kind regards,
Simon Allsop
Managing Director – ACS Insurance Brokers