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S&P Expects States to Lose Bids to Mandate Coronavirus Business Interruption Coverage

Standard & Poor’s said it does not expect state legislators to succeed in their efforts to retroactively expand business interruption insurance coverage for COVID-19-related losses. The reason: An expectations of fierce insurance industry-fueled legal challenges. “We are taking the initial …

Updated: Insurance Premium Discounts, Other Relief Offered During Coronavirus Crisis

The group of property/casualty insurers offering auto insurance premium discounts to recognize that insureds are driving less during the coronavirus crisis continues to grow, and now includes all major auto insurers. Most discounts are for personal lines auto customers, however …

Penn. High Court Deals Potential Blow To Carriers’ Denial Of Business Income Claims

In a case where no insurance company or insurance claim was involved, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a ruling that could potentially negate one of the insurance industry’s standard bases for denial of coverage of business income claims—i.e. that COVID-19 …

Non-Life Insurance Claims from Pandemic to Surpass 9/11 Claims: Willis Towers Watson

Insurance broker Willis Towers Watson on Friday estimated general insurance losses between $32 billion and $80 billion across key classes in the United States and UK from the novel coronavirus, surpassing claims from the 9/11 attacks. A report by the …

States Under Pressure to Lift Coronavirus Restrictions as Unemployment Grows

As White House economic reopening guidance expired on Thursday after two weeks in place, half of all U.S. states forged ahead with easing restrictions on restaurants, retail and other businesses in hopes of reviving coronavirus-stricken commerce. The enormous pressure on …

Trump Administration Defends Workplace Safety Record During Coronavirus Crisis

U.S. Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia on Thursday defended his department’s handling of workplace safety during the coronavirus pandemic, saying “the cop is on the beat” in response to union criticism about a lack of directives to protect workers. In a …

How Cruise Ticket Legal Language May Foil Class Action Suits

After two passengers on their luxury cruise tested positive for Covid-19 in March, Emilio and Barbara Hernandez were so frantic to get off the ship, they wrote a note to the captain. The Costa Luminosa sailed on with them still …

Top Insurers Face Lawsuit from UK Hospitality Sector on Rejected Biz Interruption Claims

Top insurers such as AXA, RSA, QBE and Zurich face a potential multi-million-pound lawsuit from British pubs, hotels, restaurants and leisure groups, who allege that legitimate business interruption claims have been rejected. A new Hospitality Insurance Action Group (HIGA) on …

Consumer Groups Oppose Immunity for Businesses From Coronavirus Lawsuits

U.S. consumer advocates are urging Congress to resist growing demands by companies for protections from coronavirus-related lawsuits as states start to ease pandemic restrictions and businesses begin to reopen. Led by Public Citizen and the Center for Justice and Democracy, …

U.S. Economy Hit Hard in Q1 But Worse Contraction Still to Come

The U.S. economy contracted in the first quarter at its sharpest pace since the Great Recession as stringent measures to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus almost shut down the country, ending the longest expansion in the nation’s history. …