Covid business interruption insurance claims valid, rules Supreme Court

A landmark court judgment this month ruled that tens of thousands of businesses who were previously refused Covid-19 insurance payouts should now receive the money. According to reports, around 370,000 policyholders could be affected and £1.8bn may eventually end up being repaid by insurers. 

Harper James Solicitors’ team of experts are currently supporting clients through the process of making business interruption insurance claims which, for many, could provide lifeline funding to get them through the latest lockdown. 

Simon Smith, a dispute resolution solicitor for Harper James Solicitors, said: 'This ruling could be very good news for many Covid-hit businesses who were told last year they were not eligible for an insurance payment, having applied under the terms of their business interruption policy to their insurers.'

Four steps to progress your business interruption insurance claim

From March last year, many businesses were left high and dry when insurance companies refused to pay out on their business interruption policies. Small business owners, many paying thousands of pounds per year for many years for policies, discovered that when they most needed this payout, to cover the interruption of Covid-19 lockdown, it wasn't there for them.

The Financial Conduct Authority brought a test case to the High Court last year after thousands of businesses complained. It asked High Court judges to rule on whether the wording in a selection of common insurance policies meant that they should cover losses caused by coronavirus restrictions. The case was fast-tracked to the Supreme Court which decided that in most cases, insurers should pay out. Judges also provided guidance that could apply to another 700 insurance policies, potentially affecting as many as 370,000 small businesses. 

A key issue was whether so-called disease clauses in the policies mean that insurers should pay out to cover losses caused by businesses being ordered to shut under coronavirus restrictions. The Supreme Court ruled that Arch, Argenta, Ecclesiastical, MS Amlin, Hiscox, QBE, RSA and Zurich should honour claims made by small and medium-sized businesses to cover the losses they suffered during the first lockdown. 

Do you have a business interruption insurance claim you are looking for expert advice on from experienced solicitors? Read our guide to Covid-19 and business interruption insurance claims to find out more about our specialist assessment service.