--- title: Business interruption insurance claims During COVID-19 description: Can businesses expect their insurance companies to indemnify them for lost income during the temporary closure? image: https://blog.mansourgavin.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Insurance%20Plans%20-%20Ring%20Binder%20on%20Office%20Desktop%20with%20Office%20Supplies.%20Business%20Concept%20on%20Blurred%20Background.%20Toned%20Illustration..jpeg --- [![MansourGavinLPA](https://blog.mansourgavin.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MansourGavinLPA%20-Jan2018/Images/mg-logo.png?width=325&height=33&name=mg-logo.png "MansourGavinLPA")](http://mansourgavin.com/) - [ABOUT US](http://mansourgavin.com/about-us/) - [PROFESSIONALS](http://mansourgavin.com/professionals/) - [PRACTICE AREAS](http://mansourgavin.com/practice-areas/) - [BLOG](https://blog.mansourgavin.com) - [NEWS & EVENTS](http://mansourgavin.com/news-and-events/) - [CONTACT US](http://mansourgavin.com/contact-us/) - [ABOUT US](http://mansourgavin.com/about-us/) - [PROFESSIONALS](http://mansourgavin.com/professionals/) - [PRACTICE AREAS](http://mansourgavin.com/practice-areas/) - [BLOG](https://blog.mansourgavin.com) - [NEWS & EVENTS](http://mansourgavin.com/news-and-events/) - [CONTACT US](http://mansourgavin.com/contact-us/) # Blog [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.mansourgavin.com%2Fbusiness-interruption-insurance-claims-in-the-wake-of-covid-19%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.mansourgavin.com%2Fbusiness-interruption-insurance-claims-in-the-wake-of-covid-19%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.mansourgavin.com%2Fbusiness-interruption-insurance-claims-in-the-wake-of-covid-19%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.mansourgavin.com%2Fbusiness-interruption-insurance-claims-in-the-wake-of-covid-19%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Business%20interruption%20insurance%20claims%20During%20COVID-19) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.mansourgavin.com%2Fbusiness-interruption-insurance-claims-in-the-wake-of-covid-19%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.mansourgavin.com%2Fbusiness-interruption-insurance-claims-in-the-wake-of-covid-19%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) # Business interruption insurance claims During COVID-19 [Corporate and Business](https://blog.mansourgavin.com/tag/corporate-and-business) June 30, 2020 | 09: 18 AM By [Brendon Friesen](http://mansourgavin.com/people/brendon-p-friesen/) In dealing with the financial impact of COVID-19, many businesses are looking to their insurance companies for assistance. Commercial insurance policies can cover certain events that cause temporary interruption in the normal course of business, i.e. a “business interruption” claim. The typical scenario involves physical damage to the premises, preventing a business from operating which results in lost income. The recent protests, some of which resulted in physical damage to businesses, is an example of when business interruption coverage can apply. COVID-19 also prevented businesses from operating. Can businesses expect their insurance companies to indemnify them for lost income during the temporary closure? Insurance companies are, for the most part, denying COVID-19 business interruption claims and the outlook on the viability of the claims remains unclear. Several class action lawsuits are pending in the U.S. against insurance companies including Chubb Ltd., Travelers, Nationwide, The Hartford and The Cincinnati Insurance Company. The parties seek a court order as to whether their insurance policies include (or exclude) coverage for business interruption due to COVID-19. Insurance companies contend that coverage is not available for COVID-19 related business interruption for a number of reasons including (1) no physical alteration of the premises and (2) exclusions in the policy for losses due to viruses, bacteria, or microorganisms. Businesses contend that coverage exists because (1) the presence of the virus is a physical alteration of the premises, (2) their policies do not have a “virus” exclusion and (3) civil authority coverage applies as a result of the government shutdown of “non-essential” business in many states, among other reasons. In determining whether to pursue a business interruption claim, businesses should review their policies for any specific exclusions that may apply, including the “virus exclusion” which made its way into many policies following the 2006 SARS pandemic. Businesses should also be mindful of the requirement to demonstrate measurable income loss directly related to COVID-19 and its impact on the physical space of their business. There are also deadlines stated in most policies in which to bring an action against your insurance company to determine coverage and seek indemnity under the policy. If you require assistance in determining whether you have coverage for business interruption due to COVID-19 or otherwise, please contact the attorneys in our [Business and Corporate Services Group](https://mansourgavin.com/practice-area/corporate-and-business-services/). - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Related Articles #### [Federal District Court Ruling Declares Corporate Transparency Act Unconstitutional](https://blog.mansourgavin.com/recent-federal-district-court-ruling-declares-corporate-transparency-act-unconstitutional) [Corporate and Business](https://blog.mansourgavin.com/tag/corporate-and-business) March 26, 2024 | 07: 50 AM The U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes enforcement network (FinCEN) proposed the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) in 2021 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, aimed to combat money [\[… read more\]](https://blog.mansourgavin.com/recent-federal-district-court-ruling-declares-corporate-transparency-act-unconstitutional) #### [How Will Ohio’s Adult Use Marijuana Legalization Impact Your Business?](https://blog.mansourgavin.com/how-will-ohios-adult-use-marijuana-legalization-impact-your-business) [Corporate and Business](https://blog.mansourgavin.com/tag/corporate-and-business) December 01, 2023 | 09: 22 AM On November 7, 2023, Ohio voters approved the initiated statute Ohio Rev. Code § 3780 (R.C. 3780) which provides for the legal sale and use of cannabis (marijuana) by individuals age 21 and over. [\[… read more\]](https://blog.mansourgavin.com/how-will-ohios-adult-use-marijuana-legalization-impact-your-business) ###### Practice Groups --- - [General Civil Litigation](http://mansourgavin.com/practice-area/general-civil-litigation/) - [Corporate and Business Services](http://mansourgavin.com/practice-area/corporate-and-business-services/) - [Real Estate and Land Use](http://mansourgavin.com/practice-area/real-estate-and-land-use/) - [Labor and Employment](http://mansourgavin.com/practice-area/labor-and-employment/) - [Estate Planning and Probate](http://mansourgavin.com/practice-area/estate-planning-and-probate/) - [Environmental](http://mansourgavin.com/practice-area/environmental/) - [Intellectual Property](http://mansourgavin.com/practice-area/intellectual-property/) ###### People --- - [Tyler M. Berry](https://mansourgavin.com/people/tyler-m-berry/) - [Timothy A. Boyko](https://mansourgavin.com/people/timothy-boyko/) - [Charles T. Brown](https://mansourgavin.com/people/charles-brown/) - [James A. Budzik](https://mansourgavin.com/people/james-a-budzik/) - [Diane A. Calta](https://mansourgavin.com/people/diane-a-calta/) - [Anthony J. Coyne](https://mansourgavin.com/people/anthony-j-coyne/) - [Brendon P. Friesen](https://mansourgavin.com/people/brendon-p-friesen/) - [Michele M. Kerling](https://mansourgavin.com/people/michele-kerling/) - [Daniel J. McGuire](https://mansourgavin.com/people/daniel-j-mcguire/) - [John W. Monroe](https://mansourgavin.com/people/john-monroe/) - [Marisa Moody](https://mansourgavin.com/people/marisa-moody/) - [Natalie M. Paolucci](https://mansourgavin.com/people/natalie-Paolucci/) - [Samantha Papagna](https://mansourgavin.com/people/samantha-papagna/) - [Edward O. Patton](https://mansourgavin.com/people/edward-o-patton/) - [Tatyana Pishnyak](https://mansourgavin.com/people/tatyana-pishnyak/) - [Michael P. Quinlan](https://mansourgavin.com/people/mickey-quinlan/) - [Patricia M. Ritzert](https://mansourgavin.com/people/patricia-m-ritzert/) - [Marci Senft](https://mansourgavin.com/people/marci-senft/) - [Scott D. Simpkins](https://mansourgavin.com/people/scott-d-simpkins/) - [Kenneth E. Smith](https://mansourgavin.com/people/kenneth-smith/) - [Kimberly Szabo](https://mansourgavin.com/people/kimberly-szabo/) - [Katie E. Tinnel](https://mansourgavin.com/people/katie-e-tinnel/) - [Adam R. Uth](https://mansourgavin.com/people/adam-r-uth/) - [Cristina Vacar](https://mansourgavin.com/people/cristina-vacar/) - [Kathryn E. Weber](https://mansourgavin.com/people/kathryn-e-weber/) - [Leslie M. Young](https://mansourgavin.com/people/leslie-m-young/) ###### About Us --- - [Our History](https://mansourgavin.com/about-us/#history) - [About Mansour Gavin](https://mansourgavin.com/about-us/#about) - [Careers](https://mansourgavin.com/careers/) - [Online Notary Service](https://mansourgavin.com/online-notary-service/) ###### Social --- - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/601692) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MansourGavinLPA/) - [X](https://x.com/MansourGavinLPA) ###### Contact --- **Cleveland** North Point Tower 1001 Lakeside Ave. Suite 1400 Cleveland, OH 44114 Phone: [216.523.1500](tel:216.523.1500) Fax: [216.523.1705](tel:216.523.1705) [»  See Map](https://maps.google.com/?q=1001+Lakeside+Ave%2C+Suite+1400++Cleveland%2C+Ohio+44114) **Independence** 6133 Rockside Rd. Suite 301 Independence, OH 44131 Phone: [216.523.1500](tel:216.523.1500) Fax: [216.523.1705](tel:216.523.1705) [»  See Map](https://maps.google.com/?q=6300+Rockside+Road%2C+Independence%2C+OH%2C+United+States) © 2026 Mansour Gavin LPA. All rights reserved. - [Privacy](http://mansourgavin.com/privacy/) - [Terms of Use](http://mansourgavin.com/legal/) [![Legal Netlink Alliance Logo](https://mansourgavin.com/wp-content/themes/MansourGavin/images/lna-logo.jpg)](http://www.legalnetlink.net/) [![U.S. News & World Report](https://mansourgavin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Best-Law-Firms-Standard-Badge.png)](https://bestlawfirms.usnews.com/profile/mansour-gavin-lpa/overview/52830) ![Firm Peer Rated](https://mansourgavin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/badge-martindale-hubbell.png) [![Mansour Gavin LPA BBB Business Review](https://seal-cleveland.bbb.org/seals/blue-seal-200-42-whitetxt-bbb-20003639.png)](https://www.bbb.org/us/oh/cleveland/profile/lawyers/mansour-gavin-lpa-0312-20003639/#sealclick)