Insurance Industry Statement from Balcombes Claims Management as business closure claims in Ireland are rejected!
Issued 8th April 2020
Balcombes Claims Management are a firm of Irish Insurance Loss Assessors who act on behalf of home and business owners who have suffered loss or damage and need help in negotiating their insurance claim, within ROI.
Jim Flannery is a Director of Balcombes and is also President of The Irish Claims Consultants Association.
They have been contacted by a huge number of business owners i.e. pubs, restaurants, coffee shops, and other retailers, who are closed as a result of Covid-19.
Many of them have contacted their Insurers to be told there is no cover.
Said Jim Flannery, Director “We have done an analysis of over 20 policies on the market and have identified those that have cover for Business Interruption losses as a result of closure due to Infectious Disease or Denial of Access by order of a Local Authority.
The Central Bank issued a letter to the CEO’s of all insurers on 27th March 2020 stating that they should treat the Government directive to close business premises as an Order by the Local Authority. They also said that where there is any ambiguity in the policy wording, the benefit of the doubt should be given to the Policyholder.
The wording on the FBD Public House Policy for example includes Business Interruption cover for ….”Imposed closure of the premises by order of the Local or Government Authority following….. Outbreaks of contagious or infectious diseases on the premises or within 25 miles of same.”
Yet FBD and some other insurers are now issuing formal letters of declinature, even using Solicitors to deny claims, playing on words to avoid paying out. Why should a policyholder be forced to take legal action against their insurer to obtain their rightful entitlement?”
Continued Jim Flannery “This is a scandalous position to adopt. Balcombes intend to fight it on behalf of our clients and feel the Central Bank and the Government will have to do more.
He says “Insurers are currently saving hundreds of millions of Euros as a result of practically no motor, EL or PL claims while businesses are closed and no traffic on the road, yet they are refusing to pay out on legitimate Business Interruption Claims”
“The insurance industry is shooting itself in the foot. While everyone else and all other business are suffering, they are refusing to support small businesses and ordinary workers on whose premiums they will be relying on in the future – yet they are failing to support their survival.” he said.
Jim is happy to take calls or do interviews with any Business Journalist who wants to quote him in relation to this serious insurance issue. E: jim@balcombes.ie M: 087 6775685
Issued by Aileen Eglington – on behalf of Balcombes Claims Management.
E: aileen.eglington@aeconsult.ie
M: 087 2505007
Jim Flannery A.C.I.I.
Director
Balcombes Claims Management,
16 Sandyford Office Park,
Dublin 18.
D18 TY06
