A look at how the coronavirus affects a range of policies

By Donald J. Pfundstein

NH Business Review

Here are some simple tips which will demystify what your insurance agent or insurer can explain:

Health insurance  

The health insurance industry has moved quickly in collaboration with providers and regulators to make Covid-19 testing and treatment as seamless as systems allow, including these general guides :No deductibles or co-pays or other cost-sharing for Covid19 testingNo deductible or co-pays for treatment of Covid-19 through certain dates. Generally, end of MayNo prior authorizations for testing/treatment required, in some cases through certain dates.Health insurance premiums can be paid for out of proceeds from forgivable loans under the Payroll Protection Program. (You can call my colleague, attorney John Funk for further guidance, at 603-496-6735.)

General liability, business owner policies and directors & officers policies

Generally speaking, general liability covers obligations for bodily injury and property damage, so there could be third-party liability coverage if there are bodily injury claims resulting from exposure to Covid-19. Some packages (general liability and property) provide some business interruption insurance coverage. There are both commercial multi-peril property policies and business owner policies that provide coverage for business interruption.There may also be endorsements that extend the coverage on an existing policy (and there are separate policies that provide business interruption insurance coverage as well).If your business and you are sued, there may be coverage under your general liability or other policy. However, some policies may have exclusions for losses resulting from epidemics or pandemics. In short, you need to carefully review and study your policies.Directors & officers policies cover claims arising out of the discharge of their respective duties or failure to carry out such duties. Hopefully, you have already taken all reasonable and prudent steps with respect to responding to the risks associated with Covid-19. If not, you should immediately do so by following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and the state’s public health agencies.

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