Question 1

I’m struggling with my insurance payments – how can you help me?

Accepted Answer

We understand that many businesses are facing a reduction in turnover at the moment. If you are experiencing payment difficulties, please contact us in the first instance to discuss your payment options. You can call us on 0808 2520 738.

Question 2

My employees are working from home due to recent government guidance, will they be covered by my insurance policy?

Accepted Answer

If you currently purchase employer’s liability cover for your business, then you don’t need to worry – this will extend to cover them while they are working from home during this period.

Question 3

Am I covered for my contents that my employees take home in order to work there?

Accepted Answer

Generally, we give cover of up to £25,000 for contents other than laptops, tablets or mobile phones that are at employees’ homes.  Laptops, tablets or mobile phones can be covered under our Property Away and in Transit cover if you have chosen to take that additional cover.

Question 4

What happens if my premises are left unoccupied?

Accepted Answer

We normally ask you to tell us if your property is going to be left unoccupied for more than 30 consecutive days.  Given the exceptional circumstances at the moment, we are extending this period to 90 days.  We recommend to shut off the water supply to the premises, and ensure that any measures to prevent thefts are taken, such as locking away equipment and setting intruder alarms.

Question 5

We have decided to voluntarily shut our business to protect the welfare of our employees. Are we covered?

Accepted Answer

There is no cover under your policy in these circumstances because there has been no ‘insured damage’ to property.

Question 6

One or more of our employees is self-isolating or has gone to hospital as a result of an actual or suspected contraction of Coronavirus. We have decided to voluntarily shut our business. Are we covered?

Accepted Answer

There is no cover under your policy in these circumstances because there has been no ‘insured damage’ to property.

Question 7

We are keeping our business open, but we are experiencing a reduction in custom and a subsequent loss of income/profit as a result of the Government’s social distancing advice relating to Coronavirus. Are we covered for these financial losses?

Accepted Answer

There is no cover under your policy in these circumstances because there has been no ‘insured damage’ to property and a fall in income is not ‘interruption’.

Question 8

A property in the vicinity of our insured premises has closed due to an outbreak of Coronavirus at those premises. This has impacted our business and reduced our income and/or profit. Can we recover our losses under the policy because this nearby business has closed?

Accepted Answer

There is no cover under your policy in these circumstances because there has been no ‘insured damage’ to property.

Question 9

My policy refers to action by Public Authorities or Non-Damage Denial of Access, does that mean I’m covered?

Accepted Answer

Our policies provide cover where you are ordered not to use or to access your insured premises only following a small number of localised incidents.  As a result, you are not covered for general shut-downs ordered by the government.

Question 10

A supplier or customer has closed their business as a result of Coronavirus related issues and it has caused our business to suffer losses. Are we covered?

Accepted Answer

There is no cover under your policy in these circumstances because there has been no ‘insured damage’ to property.

Question 11

I still think I may have a claim, how do I get in touch?

Accepted Answer

If you’d like to discuss a business insurance claim with us, the best way of doing so is to speak to a member of the team via our dedicated phone line: 01206 773 941.  Please note that our phone lines may be extremely busy at this time so please bear with us; we will answer your call as quickly as possible.

FCA Test Case

Business interruption claims related to COVID-19 and the FCA Test Case