Business interruption
Hiscox Action Group warns insurers may seek to ‘read down’ BI ruling
Insurers have responded to draft declarations regarding the Supreme Court’s January business interruption ruling, with the Hiscox Action Group flagging concerns that they may seek to “read down” the judgment.
Ratings agencies see ‘meaningful debate’ between insurers and reinsurers over Covid-19 recoveries
Experts have reiterated that insurer ratings are unlikely to be hit by the outcome of the Supreme Court’s Covid-19 business interruption claims ruling but noted that there will “meaningful debate” over how much insurers can claim from their reinsurers.
Insurance affordability and availability issues do not equate to market failure: ABI's James Dalton
The Covid-19 pandemic has not led to market failures in the UK insurance sector, James Dalton, director of general insurance policy at the Association of British Insurers, has said.
Blog: The business interruption imbalance – and the role of advice
Bruce Hepburn, CEO of Mactavish, argues that the business interruption fallout stems from an imbalance, and questions broker accountability over advice.
Disputes over furlough deductions from BI claims continue as adjusters and assessors call for clear guidance
Loss adjusters and assessors have called on the government and regulators to publish clear guidance on how government support received by businesses is to be treated in respect of lockdown-related interruption claims.
Intelligence: State insurance - The last resort
The global pandemic of 2020 saw insurers stepping back from coverage in some areas of the market and led to calls of a Pandemic Re backed by the government. Post asks if the government can and should step into the void as the insurer of last resort
Analysis: More uncertainty for BI policyholders over losses beyond first lockdown
Many business interruption policyholders may only be able to claim for losses suffered during last year’s first coronavirus lockdown, with cover for subsequent losses depending on factors such as the wordings of their policies and their renewal date.
Debenhams and Weddingplan insurer ‘considering’ impact of Supreme Court ruling on wedding claims
The businesses behind Weddingplan and Debenhams wedding insurance are “considering” the impact of the Supreme Court judgment and what it means for policyholders who did not get lockdown payouts for cancelled weddings, Post has learned.
FCA will use ‘full range’ of regulatory tools and powers to ensure insurers meet expectations after BI ruling
The Financial Conduct Authority has set out the next steps it expects insurers to take after the Supreme Court judgment on the Covid-19 business interruption claims test case last Friday.
Software house witnesses fortyfold increase in BI claims
There was a fortyfold increase in business interruption claims put through software house Acturis in the week of the Supreme Court Covid-19 business interruption judgment, Post can reveal.
FCA proposes to cap CMC fees saving consumers £9.6m a year
The Financial Conduct Authority has published proposals to cap the fees claims management companies can charge their customers.
Commission-hungry claims firms target Covid-hit businesses
Claims firms and no-win-no-fee solicitors have ramped up attempts to get businesses to make Covid-related claims with them following the Supreme Court business interruption ruling – but insurance experts are concerned that fees could be as much as 40% of…
Policyholders must be helped to understand gaps in cover says CII panel
The industry must communicate to policyholders what their policies do not cover to address reputational issues the industry is facing and help breach the expectation gap, a panel of senior industry professionals speaking at a Chartered Insurance…
Loss adjusters report 'significant' rise in BI claims volume
The number of business interruption claims being submitted after the Supreme Court judgment has increased significantly with more anticipated over the coming weeks, loss adjusting firms have told Post.
Q&A: Jennette Newman, Forum of Insurance Lawyers
Jennette Newman, partner at Clyde & Co, was appointed as president of Forum of Insurance Lawyers in November last year, replacing Anthony Baker. She spoke to Post about her hopes for 2021.
Frustrated policyholders call for insurers to ‘take responsibility’ after Supreme Court rules many are due payouts
Policyholders and their representatives have called for insurers to “take responsibility” and “immediately start paying claims” in the wake of a bittersweet Supreme Court judgment on disputed coronavirus-related business interruption policies.
Insurers could face higher BI claims payouts as businesses look to Enterprise Act
Some business interruption policyholders are looking to claim damages under the Enterprise Act (2006) for late payouts, following the Supreme Court's verdict in the regulator's test case.
Price hikes predicted as Supreme Court overturns Orient Express in BI ruling
Insurers are expected to increase the cost of business interruption insurance after a crucial judgment was overturned in the Financial Conduct Authority's test case,
Briefing: BI ruling a self-made catastrophe for insurers
Insurers have been found hugely wanting by a business interruption judgment that is a victory for common sense. But the struggle is not over yet, for them or their customers.
Insurer ratings likely to be unaffected by BI ruling, says Fitch
The ratings of UK non-life insurers are likely to be unaffected by the Supreme Court ruling on Covid-19 business interruption claims, according to Fitch.
Intelligence: Hard market times are here
For the first time in a generation a hard market is truly here to stay. As many start to learn what this really means, Post takes a look at the impact on the market and how risk management might make the difference when it comes to coverage.
Brokers unsurprised as court sides with BI policyholders in 'wake-up call' for insurers
The industry must address the expectation gap on the back of the Supreme Court business interruption ruling, brokers said as they forecast tougher times ahead for managing general agents.
Hiscox response to BI ruling 'misleading' says Mishcon lawyer
A lawyer representing Hiscox's business interruption policyholders has called a statement by the insurer stating that fewer than one third of its policies may pay out following this morning’s Supreme Court judgment “misleading”.
Supreme Court ruling to have 'very significant' impact for years to come, says FCA lawyer
The Supreme Court’s ruling in favour of the Financial Conduct Authority on behalf of policyholders in the cases versus insurers over Covid-19 business interruption claims will have long-term ramifications for causation and trends clauses, according to…