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Hurricane Preparedness

Are My Clients Covered if a Civil Authority Denies Access to their Business?

Examining the Civil Authority Additional Coverage in the Business Income Coverage Form

 Thu, February 1, 2020
Evacuation route
Evacuation route
As we head into the 3rd Quarter of 2019 with the high point of hurricane season fast approaching, it is important that we review our clients' plans and insurance coverage for business closure and evacuation.

We know that Business Income coverage responds to direct physical loss to the insured's premises. However, what coverage responds if the insured's location sustains no damage, but they are still denied access by civil authority and cannot reopen?

The answer is quite fittingly, Civil Authority Coverage. The Business Income (and Extra Expense) Coverage Form (ISO CP 00 30 10 12) offers this lesser known coverage under the header of Civil Authority via the Additional Coverages Section.

Civil Authority Coverage Policy Language

Under 5. Additional Coverages, Business Income (and Extra Expense) Coverage Form (ISO CP 00 30 10 12) defines Civil Authority Coverage as: When a Covered Cause of Loss causes damage to property other than property at the described premises, we will pay for the actual loss of Business Income you sustain and necessary Extra Expense caused by action of civil authority that prohibits access to the described premises.

Coverage is further limited to occurrences where both of the following scenarios apply:

  1. Access to the area immediately surrounding the damaged property is prohibited by civil authority as a result of the damage, and the described premises are within that area but are not more than one mile from the damaged property; and
  2. The action of civil authority is taken in response to dangerous physical conditions resulting from the damage or continuation of the Covered Cause of Loss that caused the damage, or the action is taken to enable a civil authority to have unimpeded access to the damaged property.

Finally, the form goes on to limit the period of restoration:

Civil Authority Coverage for Business Income will begin 72 hours after the time of the first action of civil authority that prohibits access to the described premises and will apply for a period of up to four consecutive weeks from the date on which such coverage began.

Civil Authority Coverage for Extra Expense will begin immediately after the time of the first action of civil authority that prohibits access to the described premises and will end:

  1. Four consecutive weeks after the date of that action; or
  2. When your Civil Authority Coverage for Business Income ends; whichever is later.

Potential Coverage Enhancements to Consider

If the insured has an above-average civil authority exposure, adding ISO form CP 15 32 "Civil Authority Changes" (or its equivalent) can expand coverage. This endorsement is used to increase the mileage radius away from the premises for which civil authority action will trigger coverage and can also be used to increase the period of restoration beyond the standard four weeks. Some carriers also offer other forms that can be used to further broaden coverage by adding specified limits; thus, removing any time period constraints.

A Similar Coverage to Civil Authority: Ingress/Egress Coverage

Some carriers offer enhancements that provide coverage for loss of income due to lack of ingress and egress to/from insured's premises. Similar to civil authority coverage, ingress/egress coverage is designed to pay for the loss of income due to physical loss or damage caused by a covered peril to third-party property that prevents access to/from the insured's business. The difference is that an act of civil authority is not needed to trigger ingress/egress coverage.

Civil Authority Claim Example

The following is a real-life civil authority claim example occurring as a result of Hurricane Michael that affected the Florida Panhandle in late 2018:

Hurricane Michael devasted the coastal Florida Panhandle. Civil authorities closed off access to bridges/streets leading to several coastal cities and areas in the Panhandle. Many undamaged local businesses adjacent to the damaged areas were denied access to customers and their businesses for nearly a month due to evacuation orders, road closures, and emergency response. As a result, several owners incurred costs to set up temporary offices for workers and lost revenue due to the inability to reopen, all scenarios that would lead to business income restoration by civil authority coverage.

Conclusion

Even if no direct physical loss is sustained, if the insured cannot reopen their business due to a civil authority declaration, they will nevertheless sustain a business income loss. Having proper coverage for civil authority actions can help lessen business income loss as a result of a natural disaster.

By: Brian Polino, CPCU
Sr. Production Underwriter / VP
Middle Market
321-527-2198
bpolino@halcyonuw.com

This content is strictly informational and should not be used as specific advice on insurance products, legal, accounting, and/or tax related matters. Insureds should always contact the appropriate licensed professional for their insurance, legal, accounting, or tax needs.

Contact Us


Halcyon Underwriters

Attn: Compliance Dept.
555 Winderley Place Ste. 420
Maitland, FL 32751

Telephone
(407) 660-1881

Toll Free
(800) 393-9090

Fax
(407) 660-0525


Should you wish to file a customer service issue, compliment or complaint, you may do so by emailing
the Compliance Officer at compliance@halcyonuw.com or contacting verbally at (321) 527-2180.


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