As the COVID-19 crisis continues to impact every aspect of our personal and professional lives, Lether Law Group is continuing to monitor any and all new developments that may impact our clients. To the extent that you have any questions or would like to discuss any potential issues related to COVID-19 and its impacts, please feel free to contact us at any time.
One of the issues that has been persistent since the inception of the crisis is whether the commercial impacts of COVID-19 should be remedied by federal, state, and local governments or through the private sector. Specifically, and as we have previously reported, many governmental entities have called on commercial property insurers to extend Business Interruption and Civil Authority coverage to businesses closed or limited due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
However, as has now been widely chronicled, Business Interruption coverage is only available due to necessary suspension of operations due to physical damage to the insured premises. Moreover, many modern commercial property forms contain an exclusion for any losses caused by the presence, proliferation, or spread of a virus.
As a result, under most circumstances surrounding COVID-19 related business shutdowns, there would likely not be coverage available to the insured. However, that does not mean that there is no coverage available in every circumstance.
Given what appears to be clear and unambiguous policy language concerning Business Interruption coverage, what is emerging is a series of bad faith claims against insurers that are summarily denying Business Interruption claims without conducting any investigation or even in some instances, not even with a written explanation of the coverage position. Policyholders nationwide are bringing bad faith claims alleging cursory, over-the-phone denials of these claims.
As we have previously noted, we are not aware of any insurance commissioner in any United States jurisdiction that has suspended the Unfair Trade Practices Act regulations during the COVID-19 epidemic. To the contrary, rather than suspending insurance claims regulations, insurance commissioners are taking steps to ensure that those regulations are followed. By way of example, on April 14, 2020, the insurance commissioner for the State of California issued a Notice to insurers advising of complaints about cursory denials and even refusals to open Business Interruption claims. The Notice then provided as follows:
Upon receipt of a notice of claim, the insurer is required to provide the policyholder with the necessary forms, instructions, and reasonable assistance, including but not limited to, specifying the information the policyholder must provide in connection with the proof of claim and begin any necessary investigation of the claim. (Regulations, section 2695.5(e)(2).) Thereafter, every insurer is required to conduct and diligently pursue a thorough, fair, and objective investigation of the reported claim, and is prohibited from seeking information not reasonably required for or material to the resolution of a claim dispute before determining whether the claim will be accepted or denied, in whole or in part. (Regulations, section 2695.7(d).)
(emphasis added)
The California OIC’s Notice demonstrates the conflict between the public and private sectors. The OIC cannot force insurers to provide coverage so the agency is left to issue stern Notices to insurers requiring the insurers to follow the law.
Ultimately, pronouncements such as that by the California OIC do not really change anything. Insurers are still required to comply with claim handling regulations and act in good faith. That includes promptly responding to pertinent communications, conducting a reasonable investigation, and providing the insured with a written explanation of the coverage decision, etc.
Once again, if you have any questions or concerns relating to COVID-19 related claim or any other issues, please feel free to contact Lether Law Group at any time.
