The Weekly Top 10 from Front Page News

By Josh Bradford on April 3, 2020

Advisen editors rely on a variety of metrics to determine the types of stories we write and curate in our editions of Front Page News. One metric we pay particularly close attention to is the number of times a story is forwarded. We value this metric because the simple act of forwarding a story to a colleague, client or friend illustrates a higher degree of readership engagement. Below are some of the most forwarded stories over the previous five business days.

To continue getting the most out of Front Page News, subscribe now.

COVID-19 business interruption claims would cost insurers up to $383 billion per month: As pressure builds for the industry to shoulder some of the economic burden from the coronavirus pandemic, property-casualty insurers outlined just how much business interruption losses from shuttered businesses would cost: up to $383 billion per month, according to the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.

Directors at risk after insurers raise premiums:  Company directors risk being left personally liable for failings in their response to coronavirus as insurers raise prices and impose new restrictions on cover ahead of this week’s policy renewal season.

Chef sues over insurance coverage: Prominent chef Thomas Keller is suing his insurance company for losses caused by the shutdowns of his two Napa County restaurants, a case that could help determine the extent of insurance coverage for the commercial impact of the coronavirus.

Efforts to broaden business interruption cover crop up in Ohio, Mass.:  Lawmakers in Ohio and Massachusetts introduced bills that would compel insurers to pay business interruption claims stemming from COVID-19 shutdowns, regardless of whether policies provide coverage.

Hundreds of skiers to sue Austrian resort for exposing them to coronavirus: Hundreds of tourists are to take legal action against an Austrian ski resort, accusing it of knowingly exposing them to the coronavirus.

Will D&O insurance respond to coronavirus claims? It “depends,” says Gallagher:  With two securities class actions relating to coronavirus already filed, public companies should expect to see more directors and officers liability claims arising out of the pandemic and examine how their D&O coverage will respond, according to a report from A.J. Gallagher.

Insurance and business groups ask Congress for COVID-19 relief fund:  Insurance trade groups banded together with retailers and trade groups representing other industries that have been affected by widespread shutdowns amid the coronavirus pandemic to ask Congress for a business continuity relief fund.

COVID-19 Coverage Considerations Update: The rate of change with the COVID-19 pandemic is outpaced only by the information circulated regarding its impact on the insurance industry. We are monitoring this situation daily to stay abreast of developments and new information that potentially affects insurance coverage positions and to summarize important topics and address issues that we believe may be pertinent and useful.

Companies who make workers use Zoom risk breaking the law if they fail to say how data is shared: Workers using Zoom to attend virtual meetings while working from home could sue their employers if they object to how the web conference tool uses their personal information.

Chicago restaurants sue insurer over denied COVID-19 claims: A group of Chicago-based restaurants and theaters sued their insurer this week over denied business interruption claims, arguing that the presence of novel coronavirus should be considered a “direct physical loss.”

Josh Bradford, senior editor, specialty editorial can be reached at [email protected]

Josh is an Editor at Advisen in the Research & Editorial division. He is the lead editor responsible for several of Advisen’s Front Page News editions and he also originates custom research on behalf of Advisen’s largest insurance company clients. Contact Josh at [email protected].