National Mar 11, 2020

Endorsements: COVID-19 risk management

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Verisk (ISO) has developed two advisory, optional endorsements designed for use with existing ISO commercial property business interruption coverage.

The two business income endorsements are: Business Interruption: Limited Coverage For Certain Civil Authority Orders Relating To Coronavirus [February 2020]; and Business Interruption: Limited Coverage For Certain Civil Authority Orders Relating To Coronavirus (Including Orders Restricting Some Modes Of Public Transportation) [February 2020].

There is an option for dependent property coverage. Because these endorsements are advisory, they have not been assigned form numbers. PIA does not know of any insurers that have filed them and that are offering coverage at this time. With regard to workers’ compensation insurance, in most cases, COVID-19 is no more occupational than the flu, unless the person’s occupation makes them particularly susceptible to exposure (e.g., a health care worker).

Travel insurance won’t protect travelers who cancel because they are worried about COVID-19, but it should cover a traveler who contracts the illness. Risk Management Monitor’s article, “3 Key Risk Management Responses to the Coronavirus” offers some guidance for managing the risk.

Also, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers background information on the virus.