Three things positive need
to happen in order for a business interruption insurance policy to take effect
Expect the best, but prepare for the worst. Simply reading the following list might
be enough to generate any small business owner cringe. However, before wasting your measure
, and your insurance agents, be sure that these three elements are in place before attempting to collect on your interruption policy. If a loss has occurred, check this list to be sure you might
collect on your interruption policy.
1. Your business must lose income
I told you it was ugly. How do you understand
if you lost income? Take your necessary continuing operating costs and add them to your profits/losses. If that sum is less than what you we are
earning regularly, youve got something to work with. Just be sure that you might
document everything.
2. There must be a suspension of operations during restoration
A suspension does not necessarily mean a complete stop of all operations. Some policies define a suspension as simply a slowdown. The restoration period includes the instant following the loss until damaged property is replaced or repaired.
3. Loss of income must be a direct result of a loss to premises described in the policy
This third element is extremely difficult to describe. Hopefully this example will illustrate the finer points of the third criteria.
Suppose a tornado wipes out every house on the street opposite your shop. As a result your business suffers a loss of income. The first step has been satisfied.
The second step would also be satisfied by the fact that until the houses are rebuilt your business will continue to suffer.
The third step is the tricky one. Because the tornado did not damage your building specifically youre out of luck. There must be damage or loss to the property described in the policy.
Not all business interruption policies are created equal
If the unfortunate shop owner had included the all the buildings in the area in the policy then he most certainly have been covered. Because of the nature of interruption insurance, policies are always open to some interpretation. When shopping for a policy, it is extremely important to find an agent that will explain in plain terms, what is and is not covered. Hopefully you dont finish
up like our poor shop owner here.
