Courts / Westmeath / Report
FBD exec told publican that policy covered Covid loses
Summary
In a High Court hearing, Paul Shanahan, a Business Development Executive at FBD Insurance, admitted he mistakenly informed Noel Anderson, managing director of the 'Lemon and Duke' bar, that FBD's business disruption policy covered losses caused by the Covid‑19 outbreak. Shanahan said he had emailed Anderson in early March stating the policy covered Covid‑19 related losses in the event of a forced closure, but after a meeting with publican representatives and senior FBD staff on 17 March he learned the policy did not cover such losses. He expressed concern, informed Anderson of the insurer's position, and sought guidance from his line manager on handling the bar's claim. Shanahan testified before Mr Justice Denis McDonald, under cross‑examination by Michael Cush SC, and stated he would never have misled a customer about coverage. FBD's Chief of Underwriting, Kate Tobin, also testified that confusion within the insurer led to the final position that Covid‑19 was not covered.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: FBD exec told publican that policy covered Covid loses. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- March 17 Incident
- March 15 Other
- 2020-10-14 Publication
Why: Mr Anderson, whose partners in the bar/restaurant include Irish rugby players Sean O'Brien, brothers Dave and Rob Kearney, and Jamie Heaslip, told the High Court on Tuesday that he switched to FBD because he had heard its policies covered coronavirus. CNI source report
Places mentioned
- High Court
- FBD's Public House
- Hibernian Way
Topics
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