Insurance Coverage for Business Shutdowns Related to COVID-19

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Some business insurance policies may provide coverage for a “business interruption” resulting from recent government orders requiring the suspension of business operations. On March 24, 2020, Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services issued Emergency Order #12, Safer At Home Order, a copy of which can be found here. The Order is effective March 25, 2020. As a result of this Order, many local businesses are being forced to suspend operations. Most property insurance policies contain “business interruption” coverage triggered by covered losses that cause property damage. For example, if a business is forced to shut down due to a fire, there is often coverage not only for the cost of repairing the fire damage, but also for lost business income. In some cases, these business insurance policies may also provide limited coverage for business shutdowns resulting from communicable diseases like coronavirus (COVID-19). The insurance policy language providing this coverage varies significantly between insurance policies. Our firm’s experienced insurance coverage attorneys are available to review business insurance policies to determine whether there may be coverage for business shutdowns resulting from the recent government orders. To arrange for a review of your insurance policies, please contact Attorney Doug Dehler or Attorney Patrick McBride at O’Neil Cannon