On February 7,  ISO released two optional endorsements for use with the Commercial Property forms to provide limited Business Interruption coverage for business interruption due to actions by civil authorities in order avoid or prevent infection or spread by or from the Coronavirus. These endorsements have NOT been filed and are not being added to the ISO portfolio of forms. Likewise, ISO is not providing loss costs or supplementary rating information. ISO is continuing to monitor the situation. Any company filing the forms must follow all filing regulations.

There are two forms:

  1. Business Interruption: Limited Coverage for Certain Civil Authority Orders Relating to Coronavirus and
  2. Business Interruption: Limited Coverage for Certain Civil Authority Orders Relating to Coronavirus (Including Orders Restricting Some Modes of Public Transportation). Neither form is numbered.

The first form modifies coverage under the Business Income and Extra Expense coverage form, the Business Income Without Extra Expense coverage form, and the Extra Expense coverage form. The form requires the insured to schedule the premises, and list a coverage period specified by number of days, weeks or months, and an annual aggregate limit of insurance. The coverage applies only if the policy otherwise covers business income; likewise extra expense applies only if the policy provides coverage for extra expense.

Coverage is for the actual loss of business income or necessary extra expenses incurred because the civil authority ordered the closing of the premises or ordered all or part of the premises to be put under quarantine to prevent infection by or spread of a Coronavirus, even if the action is taken based on suspicion of a risk of contagion. Because the spread of infectious diseases is unpredictable, coverage is provided even if no disease is yet present; if an area has been struck by the virus, civil authority may order businesses closed in order to minimize exposure to the virus.

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