Insurance Considerations post-Baltimore
Let me start with the caveat that I am not getting into the political or race issues at the heart of recent events in Baltimore. However, from the point-of-view of someone working in construction and insurance law, the insurance and rebuilding questions created by the protests/riots in these cities is of great interest. Although the specific article here references insurance issues and struggles to rebuild in Maryland, similar concerns and analyses would apply anywhere that such events take place.
As the article from Insurance Business America notes, many small businesses have been unable to reopen post damage as they are caught in a web of what is and is not covered under their applicable policies. Many questions loom: does the property insurance policy afford coverage; what about the Business Interruption policy; what are the applicable deductibles?
As is typical of any insurance coverage the devil is in the details of the specific policy at issue. Insurance policies can cover almost anything but the more a policy covers the more expensive it likely is and thus cost prohibitive to many small business owners. As a result many business owners reduce coverage, or increase deductibles, in order to afford the policy premium.
Unfortunately, many owners are now finding out that:
– They are underinsured;
– Older buildings need to be brought up to code and their policies do not include such “Law & Ordinance” coverage;
– The storefront glass is not a covered loss;
– Depending on the characterization of the event, “riot” as opposed to “rebellion”, may impact coverage;
– The deductible period for a business loss may cover the time frame when the majority of the damage occurred;
Unfortunately for these business owners it is too late and they are stuck with the insurance policy they bought or did not buy as the case may be. However, it is beneficial for all business and property owners to review their existing policies and sit down with the professionals to hammer out any changes that may need to be made. For those that believe that they are not “at risk” for such casualties such as in Baltimore, that is the narrow and short view of insurance. Reviewing the policies would be beneficial for all other risks including fire, flood, hurricanes, etc. In the long run that may be one of the best invested couple hours of a business or property owner’s life.
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