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Publicans' test cases over Covid insurance to see judgement in New Year
Summary
Judgement will be given early in the New Year on four important test cases brought by pub owners over the refusal of insurer FBD to pay out on business disruption losses over the Covid-19 pandemic. The four publicans have challenged FBD Insurance Plc's refusal to indemnify them and its stance that its policies do not cover the disruption caused by the pandemic. The test cases were brought by Dublin bars Aberken (trading as 'Sinnotts Bar'), Hyper Trust Ltd (trading as 'The Leopardstown Inn'), Inn on Hibernian Way Ltd (trading as 'Lemon & Duke'), and Leinster Overview Concepts Ltd (owner of 'Sean's Bar' in Athlone, Co Westmeath). Each pub owner claims that their policies with FBD cover consequential losses due to an 'outbreak of contagious or infectious diseases' within 25 miles of their premises. FBD disputes this, arguing that closures were not due to an outbreak at the premises or nearby areas and that the general insurance market in Ireland does not cover pandemics. The matter was adjourned following a three-week hearing, with Mr Justice Denis McDonald stating he hopes to deliver his decision in mid-January. The court proceedings were conducted using TrialView, a remote court system praised for its functionality during the hearing.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Publicans' test cases over Covid insurance to see judgement in New Year. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- New Year Other
- 2020-10-23 Publication
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