Advice clinic launched for businesses ‘in danger of missing out' on insurance claims

Hospitality businesses who have been denied business interruption insurance cover for Covid-19 are invited to join an advice clinic on 20 August.

The Hospitality Insurance Group Action (HIGA) will be running the event for hotels, restaurants, cafés, bars and other businesses within the hospitality sector who have had claims for Covid-related business interruption losses rejected by their insurers.

The clinic will be led by Sonia Campbell, head of the Insurance Disputes group and a partner with Mishcon de Reya, who is representing HIGA and who led its participation in the FCA insurance test case, which finished earlier this month.

Earlier this week, Campbell told The Caterer that a "significantly high proportion" of claimants could have cover without realising, which would potentially result in thousands of hospitality businesses being able to make a valid claim.

The aim of the advice clinic, which is free to join, is to provide clarity for affected businesses and to help operators understand the process more clearly, even if they have had a Covid-related business interruption claim rejected.

Campbell has urged hospitality businesses to register, adding: "It is clear to us that many hospitality businesses have accepted the rejection of their claims by insurers without appreciating that they may still have insurance cover."

The clinic will run via Zoom at 10:30am on Thursday 20 August. Hospitality businesses wishing to attend can register by emailing HIGA@mishcon.com