Business interruption
Hiscox QC accuses FCA of 'tearing up the rule book on causation'
Jonathan Gaisman, QC, branded parts of the Financial Conduct Authority’s arguments as camouflage, a misuse of language and “blurring every divisible thing into one amorphous mass” as he defended Hiscox in the ongoing business interruption test court case.
Swiss Re pegs H1 Covid-19 losses at $2.5bn
Swiss Re has predicted $2.5bn (£1.96bn) of pre-tax Covid-19 losses in the first six months of 2020 will drive its half year results to a $1.1bn loss.
Updated: RSA QC lambasts ‘clear misuse’ of the word ‘peril’ by action group
Representing RSA, David Turner QC, accused the Hospitality Insurance Group Action of “clear misuse” of the word ‘peril’ on the on the fourth day of the hearing of the Financial Conduct Authority’s Covid-19 business interruption test case.
QC calls on court to treat insurers fairly
Insurers dived into the causation debate during today's proceedings, slamming the Financial Conduct Authority’s approach to the ‘but for’ test as the business interruption case continued in the High Court.
Hiscox blasted by QC over policy interpretation in FCA BI case
The arguments set out by Hiscox in its defence over non-payment of business interruption arising from Covid-19 are too narrow, unrealistic and uncommercial according to the Hiscox Action Group.
Action group brands insurers' focus on lack of specific pandemic cover 'a diversionary tactic'
Insurers’ repeated argument that policies were not intended to cover pandemics has been described as “a diversionary tactic” on the third day of the Financial Conduct Authority’s business interruption test case.
FCA picks apart insurer reliance on Hurricane Katrina judgment in BI test case
On the second day of the Financial Conduct Authority’s business interruption test case, the regulator’s lawyers argued there are key issues with the Hurricane Katrina Orient Express judgment insurers are expected to lean on during the case.
Munich Re adds €700m to Covid impact total
Munich Re was hit by €700m (£631.7m) of Covid-19 related reinsurance losses in the second quarter taking its year to date figure to €1.5bn, the reinsurer has revealed.
FCA versus insurers as test case showdown begins
It was today confirmed up to 370,000 policyholders may be affected by the Financial Conduct Authority's High Court case, which aims to decide on the validity of business interruption cover during the coronavirus outbreak.
In-depth: How the life sciences sector is supporting the fight against Covid-19
The industry has found itself under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, one area where it should be singing its praises is life sciences. Post investigates how brokers and insurers have supported the quest for…
Restaurants that changed to takeaways under lockdown not 'same insured business' argues FCA
The Financial Conduct Authority has argued that where businesses made changes to their model and customers could not access them as normal, giving the example of a restaurant becoming a takeaway, they are not the "same insured business" and insurers…
Insurers argue FCA BI victory would lead to ‘injustice’
Defendants in the Financial Conduct Authority’s BI test case warn providers could be liable for losses they never agreed to cover.
Arch tells policyholders BI payments could be 'reduced to zero' if they wait for court judgment
Arch policyholders whose business interruption claims were confirmed to be covered by the insurer have been told that their payments could be “reduced to zero” depending on the outcome of the Financial Conduct Authority's test case.
Insurer approaches to causation ‘legally flawed’ FCA argues in BI test case
The Financial Conduct Authority has alleged that insurers’ approach to causation in the business interruption test case is “legally flawed” and the defendants have “overlooked” contractual contexts.
Q&A: David Martin, Zurich
Zurich’s head of retail management David Martin spoke about joining the provider after 18 years with Allianz, pushing a digital strategy, leadership and management during the Covid-19 crisis as well as how he came into insurance.
Insurers failed to raise issues with government's restriction triggers says FCA
Insurers should have offered government earlier ‘opportunity’ to regulate if they disagreed with restriction insurance triggers, the Financial Conduct Authority has said.
Brokers not responsible for BI test case insurance policies under contract law, argues FCA
The business interruption policies under scrutiny in the Financial Conduct Authority’s test case are presented ‘in the manner which most benefits insurers’ and therefore brokers should not take the blame for any contractual breaches, the regulator has…
Action groups hit out at 'absurd' insurer defences in FCA BI case
Insurers have been accused of filibustering in relation to business interruption as firms suffer “devastating losses” following coronavirus lockdown.
Analysis: The Covid crunch in insurer results
With analysts cautioning the Covid crunch will begin to bite insurers in the second quarter of 2020, Post investigates what impact the coronavirus pandemic has already had in the first quarter
Blog: Rebalancing the BI bad publicity - how insurers can rebuild public trust with positive PR messaging
Delays in comment sign off to interference in influencing messaging. Consultant Mark Bishop polled insurers and brokers about the sector's Covid-19 response and concludes lessons need to be learned in terms of balancing bad publicity in the future.
Blog: Covid-19 - time to re-evaluate
The coronavirus pandemic has hit people hard in a manner that the insurance industry can’t compute. Bundeep Singh Rangar, CEO of Premfina, looks at what lessons insurers can learn from the crisis.
RSA walks back on Marsh criticism in FCA's BI test case
As RSA changed its mind on part of its argument that drew criticism from Marsh, the Financial Conduct Authority said insurers were failing to take account of “the true nature of the insurance provided” in its business interruption test case, according to…
Blog: Is coronavirus the catalyst insurers need to shake up how they treat SMEs?
A survey for the US National Federation of Independent Businesses showed that 76% of small businesses rate the impact of Covid-19 as profound. Sabine VanderLinden, co-founder and managing partner of the Alchemy Crew, explains why SMEs could be some of…
Lloyd's working on non-damage BI cover for SMEs
Lloyd’s is working on non-damage business interruption cover for SMEs as part of recovery efforts to fast-track global economic and societal recovery from the “far-reaching” impacts of Covid-19.