The spread of the coronavirus from Wuhan, China, and the ensuing reactions from governments and corporations are causing tremendous disruption in the global supply chain, especially among the world’s largest jet and auto makers, as well as technology and telecom giants. Each day brings additional stories of compounding losses for businesses operating in and around Wuhan, and those dependent on them as either suppliers or customers.
Companies who are suffering interruption of their business should carefully review business interruption insurance policies to see if they may be covered for increased costs and loss of revenue resulting from the virus outbreak. There are many different variations in policy language, but many forms extend coverage to losses arising from : (1) closure of “dependent properties” in the chain of supply or distribution; (2) denial of access to business premises by civil authorities, sometimes even in the absence of direct physical loss or damage; (3) loss of ingress or egress to covered premises; (4) loss of attraction extensions; and (5) contagious disease. See Business Interruption Claims Best Practices; Best Insurance Recovery Decisions: Fountain Powerboat.
Crisis teams working to navigate the virus situation should assume responsibility for reviewing their property and business interruption policies to assess potential coverage for their losses and provide notice under the applicable policies. We can help.