09/09/2024
In a landmark legal victory, London’s ExCeL Centre has won its appeal over COVID-19 business interruption (BI) losses, which could have wide-ranging implications for businesses worldwide. The ExCeL Centre had pursued a claim of £16 million after insurers, including Allianz, initially denied coverage for losses incurred during the pandemic. The UK Court of Appeal ruled that ExCeL's insurance policy did indeed cover these losses under its "at the premises" clause, which applies even in cases like the pandemic where government restrictions forced closures.
This decision is significant for businesses, as it opens the door for similar claims, especially for those who faced denied BI claims during the pandemic. For companies that experienced financial hardship due to lockdowns and restrictions, this ruling provides a potential pathway to recover losses through their insurance policies.
For businesses, this victory underscores the importance of reviewing insurance policy terms, particularly in light of unexpected disruptions like global pandemics. Companies now have stronger legal backing when challenging denied claims, making this a key moment for revisiting business continuity plans and insurance strategies.
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The owners of London's ExCel conference centre on Friday won an appeal brought by insurers, including Allianz , over pandemic-related losses, which its lawyers said could help thousands of other policyholders.