When a catastrophic loss occurs, a business owner’s first impulse is to do whatever necessary to mitigate the loss and resume operations as quickly as possible. But settling a commercial property insurance claim is a complex business transaction, and business owners should treat it as such—using the same diligence and professional assistance as when negotiating a critical business contract. Accepting an insurance company adjuster’s opinions or an insurance company’s offer of settlement in haste — or without investigation or review of all policies for available coverages — can easily lead to a settlement that is far less than the business bargained for.

A commercial property claim entails restoring the business and its property to pre-loss conditions within the limits of insurance purchased, while maintaining the business during the time needed to rebuild or repair damaged property. The insured is faced with investigating and documenting losses, tangible and not, and becoming familiar with the insurance policies — the coverages available, limitations on those coverages, deductibles, conditions precedent, and specific requirements necessary to make a claim.

Typical commercial property policies can cover:

  • “Property Damage” including the buildings, fixtures, machines, furnishings, raw materials, and inventory.
  • “Business Interruption” which is intended to place an insured business in the position it would have been the loss that caused the interruption not occurred. It should provide funds necessary to sustain the insured business while its operations are suspended as a result of damage caused by a covered peril. It typically pays business profit and continuing operating expenses, including payroll, for a specific time period.
  • “Extra Expense” covers expenses incurred in mitigating the business loss or increased costs in continuing a business in the wake of a catastrophe. It can reimburse a policyholder for money spent moving a covered business to a different location while the covered property is restored. It is intended to offset expenses associated with returning to normal operations. Equipment breakdown coverage is often available with this coverage and should be purchased if a customer’s business is dependent upon certain equipment.
  • “Contingent Business Interruption” is usually an extension of the business interruption coverage available in most commercial property policies. Contingent Business Interruption provides the insured with benefits to cover lost profits and extra expenses resulting from damage to a third party’s property, typically in four situations: (1) when the insured business relies on a third party to deliver materials or product; (2) when the insured business depends upon a third party to manufacture products; 3) when the insured business depends on a third party to purchase its products; and 4) when the insured business depends on a third party leader location to attract customers.
  • “Ordinary Payroll Coverage” provides for salaries as a continued expense, and a policy may provide coverage for a business to pay hourly employees for a specified period of time while the business is closed.
  • “Loss of Rents” pays for lost income when a covered rental property is made uninhabitable by a covered event and renters need not make rental payments. A lease or a rental agreement is helpful in estimating the amount of coverage needed.
  • “Extended Period of Indemnity” provides business interruption and extra expense benefits beyond the period of restoration defined in the standard business interruption policy.
  • “Civil Authority” coverage provides business income benefits when a civil authority prohibits access to the insured property due to direct physical loss or damage to other property. It is most commonly triggered during mandatory evacuations.
  • “Utility Services – Time Element” extends business income and extra expense insurance to protect against losses caused by interruption of services from a specified utility that provides a business with water, power, or communications.
  • “Loss of Ingress or Egress” provides benefits when, as a direct result of a covered peril, ingress to or egress from real and personal property is prevented.

These benefits can sustain a business during a disaster. Know which coverages you purchased and claim the benefits you are owed.

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Restaurant Property Insurance Claims

Restaurants present unique challenges when filing property damage claims. The insurance company may deny your insurance claim for many reasons. Policyholders need to review their policies and be aware of the responsibilities once a loss occurs. If you fail to cooperate with the insurer’s requests in the investigation, you may be denied. If you have any questions regarding these duties you should contact experienced insurance professionals Viciti Law for an opinion.

Restaurant Fire Insurance Claims
Restaurant fires are common. Review your property insurance policy annually to ensure you have the proper coverage. Cleanup and other return-to-business operations that destroy or alter evidence could lead to a claim denial. Get prior approval from an insurer before those activities to avoid this situation.

Restaurant Business Income Loss
With a restaurant property insurance claim, there is also typically a business income loss. Getting your restaurant back up and running may take months or years. Check your insurance policy to ensure you’re collecting what is rightfully owed to you.