Coverage for COVID business loss rejected by Illinois federal courts

Insurance Matters

By Don R. Sampen

Don R. Sampen is a member of the appellate practice group of Clausen, Miller P.C., where he focuses on appellate, commercial and insurance-related litigation. He also teaches insurance law at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. His column appears twice monthly.

Posted March 9, 2021 11:20 AM

Cases around the country have overwhelmingly, but not unanimously, rejected coverage for business losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic under standard all-risk property insurance policies. Since Jan. 1, six decisions by federal courts addressing such coverage in Illinois have followed the national trend.These cases in chronological order are as follows: •Riverwalk Seafood Grill Inc. v. Travelers Casualty Insurance Co. of America, 2021 U.S. Dist. Lexis 5899 (N.D. Ill., Jan. 7).The plaintiff restaurant sought coverage for …

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