The insureds’ motion for summary judgment seeking coverage for business interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic was granted by the North Carolina Superior Court. North State Deli, LLC, et al. v. The Cincinnati Ins. Co., No. 20-CVS02569, Order Granting Plaintiffs’ Motion for Partial Summary Judgment (Super. Ct. N.C., entered Oct. 9
2020
Insurer Must Defend Despite Exclusions k (5) and (6)
By Tred R. Eyerly on
Resolving a dispute on whether damage was limited to "that particular part of real property," the court found in favor of the insured for purposes of defending the claim. Nash St., LLC v. Main St. Am. Assur. Co., 2020 Conn. LEXIS 197 (Conn. Sept. 1, 2020).
Plaintiff's property needed repairs…
Insured Overcomes Motion to Dismiss COVID-19 Claim Despite Virus Exclusion
By Tred R. Eyerly on
A Florida federal district court denied the insurer's motion to dismiss the insured's COVID-19 business interruption claim despite the policy's virus exclusion. Urogynecology Specialist of Fla. LLC v. Sentinel Ins. Co., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 184744 (M.D. Fla. Sept. 24, 2020).
Due to emergency orders caused by the COVID-19 pandemic…
Finding Adjustor Properly Joined, Court Orders Remand of COVID-19 Claim
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The federal district court found there was no diversity based upon joinder of the adjustor and granted the insured's motion for remand. Jada Rest. Grp., LLC v. Acadia Ins. Co., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 163296 (W.D. Tex. Sept. 8, 2020).
Plaintiff owned several restaurants. It held a business insurance policy…
MDL Panel Grants Consolidation for One Group of COVID-19 Claims
By Tred R. Eyerly on
Previously denying consolidation of all COVID-19 business interruption claims [post here], the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation allowed consolidation of one group of cases against Society Insurance Company while denying consolidation of four other groups of cases. In re Soc'y Ins. Co. COVID-19 Bus. Interruption Protection Ins. Litigation, 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS…
Chiropractor’s COVID-19 Loss of Business Income Claim Rejected
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The federal district court in Michigan dismissed the insured chiropractor's loss of business income claim. Turek Enters. v. State Farm Mut. Auto, Ins. Co., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 161198 (E.D. Mich. Sept. 3, 2020).
Plaintiff was forced to close its business from March 24 to May 22, 2020, due to…
Dentist’s COVID-19 Business Interruption Claim Dismissed Based on Virus Exclusion
By Tred R. Eyerly on
A Florida dentist could not survive the carrier's motion to dismiss a business interruption claim due to closures for COVID-19. Martinez v. Allied Ins. Co. of Am., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 165140 (M.D. Fla. Sept. 2, 2020). The court's Order is here.
The dentist alleged that the government mandated…
Civil Authority Claim Based on COVID-19 Dismissed
By Tred R. Eyerly on
A California federal district court dismissed the insured restaurant's civil authority claim after being ordered to close due to COVID-19. 10E, LLC v. Travelers Indemnity Co. of Connecticut, et al., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 156827 (C.D. Calif. Aug. 28, 2020). The decision is here.
Public health restrictions prohibited in-person dining at…
Failure to Plead Physical Loss or Damage Leads to Dismissal of COVID-19 Claim
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The insured's claim for business interruption losses due to COVID-19 was dismissed for failure to plead direct physical loss of or damage to property. Malaube LLC v. Greenwich Ins. Co., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 156027 (S.D. Fla. Aug 26, 2020).
The insured restaurant had to suspend operations when local and…
Court Denies Remand of COVID-19 Case
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The federal district court rejected a challenge to its diversity jurisdiction and rejected the insured's attempt to remand the COVID-19 claims back to state court. Vandelay Hospitality Group LP v. Cincinnati Ins. Co., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 149196 (N.D. Tex. Aug. 18, 2020).
Vandelay purchased a commercial property policy from…