January 5, 2021
In the article titled “Insurers Win Most – But Not All – Covid Business-Loss Lawsuits” (Nov. 27, 2020), Bloomberg reported on insurance companies’ success in defending denials of COVID-19-related business interruption insurance claims in courts across the country. The case cited as a notable exception was Urogynecology Specialist of Florida LLC v. Sentinel Insurance CO. Ltd., in which Imran Malik represented the plaintiff in federal district court in Florida and won against the insurance company. (Read more about this case here.) What makes this case so notable is that the judge recognized that virus exclusion provisions in business insurance policies […]
November 6, 2020
On September 24th, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida ruled in favor of Malik Law’s client, Urogynecology Specialist of Florida, in a decision that signals possibilities for winning coverage for business interruption losses due to COVID-19. Across the country, more than a thousand lawsuits related to insurance coverage for COVID-19-related losses have been filed against insurance companies, and In approximately 25 percent of these cases, the insurer-defendants have filed early motions to dismiss. So far, the courts have ruled in favor of the plaintiff-policyholders in only 6 of these cases. Urogynecology Specialist’s case is one of […]
October 1, 2020
It’s not over yet, but the record-breaking Hurricane Season of 2020 has taught us several things already. For one, we know it’s possible to have several named storms form within a 24-hour time period; it’s possible to have 10 (or more) named tropical storms in September alone; and it’s possible to have five storms whirling in the Atlantic at the same time. Besides tying or breaking storm records, this season has also shown us how vulnerable we are. The reinforcements and preparations we’ve relied on to protect our homes, businesses and communities are not strong enough to withstand the sustained […]
August 13, 2020
In Florida, tornadoes can occur throughout the year, but summer brings more than its fair share, since tornadoes occur as a result of tropical cyclones and strong sea breeze boundary collisions. In fact, because of its location between the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, Florida is susceptible to tornadoes whenever a hurricane starts swirling in the Gulf. This summer alone, Central Florida has already been hit with three tornadoes with winds up to 85 miles per hour. These tornado winds have damaged homes and businesses, uprooted trees, and knocked down power lines. In the wake of this tornado damage, […]
August 4, 2020
If you’ve lived through a hurricane season in Florida, you know it’s just a matter of time before a hurricane hits our state. You also know that even unnamed tropical storms can cause extensive damage to homes and businesses and that people often have problems collecting money from their insurance companies to make necessary repairs. Unfortunately, experiencing problems with hurricane or storm damage claims is common in Florida. Home and business owners complain that their insurance carriers have delayed paying their claims, often requesting more and more information and documentation but not issuing any money for repairs. Others complain that […]
July 16, 2020
We’ve been battered by daily reports of Covid-19 cases surging in Florida, so thinking about the possibility of a hurricane hitting our state and preparing for that possibility seems like a daunting task. However, preparation is key to your family’s safety, and being proactive now can make a big difference during and after the storm. So, while you have time to prepare, please do so. In this blog post, we’re going to cover five steps you should take to prepare for Florida hurricanes: Have an Emergency Safety Plan, Purchase Emergency Supplies, Make Sure Your Insurance Coverage is Adequate, Take Pictures […]
June 17, 2020
Before the COVID-19 pandemic changed our lives, thousands of Americans traveled domestically and internationally every day. When planning their trips, most travelers didn’t think about the spread of viruses or pandemics, and only 22% purchased travel insurance plans to cover trip cancellations in case of unforeseeable events. Now, however, as states and other countries open up and people resume traveling, many are seeking insurance coverage for viral outbreaks and their impact on travel plans. Since the current pandemic is now considered a foreseeable event, it is generally excluded from cancellation coverage, but some insurance providers are offering new policies that […]
June 2, 2020
With nationwide protests in the wake of the death of George Floyd, an ongoing pandemic and the start of hurricane season, Florida businesses have a lot to worry about these days. In an interview published on June 1, 2020, Imran Malik, founder of Malik Law, P.A., shares with Orlando Business Journal how small businesses can brace themselves for the challenges they will continue to face this summer. Orlando Business Journal reports, “When it comes to coronavirus, most insurance companies are not providing relief for business interruption claims due to an exemption for viruses.” However, Malik has seen the fight for […]
May 27, 2020
In an article for Hotel Management, published on May 22, 2020, Malik Law attorney Imran Malik encourages hoteliers to explore all their available insurance options for short-term relief and long-term recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Malik writes, “At first glance, business interruption coverage would appear to be an easy claim to file for the COVID-19 crisis.” However, he warns, “Many insurance companies have already begun to signal their intent to deny pandemic-related claims.” Malik explains the basics of business interruption insurance, and why hotel owners should still consider their options and carefully review policies to look for specific ambiguities or […]
May 21, 2020
States across the country are currently considering legislation to compel insurers to cover business losses due to COVID-19 closures. The U.S. House of Representatives is also considering two bills (HR 6494 and HR 6497) that deal generally with providing business interruption coverage for pandemic-related closures and business interruption due to a government order. In the meantime, small business losses in the U.S. are climbing to somewhere between $300 and $500 billion, and businesses across the country are suing insurance companies to get them to cover their losses. Are these lawsuits worth pursuing? Should insurers be paying business interruption claims related […]