Business interruption insurance replaces lost business income in the event of a disaster. A fire or natural disaster, for example, could be an event. Business interruption insurance is not purchased individually but is added to a real estate policy or included as an add-on or rider in a comprehensive package policy.

Business interruption insurance, one of the essential protections in a business owner’s policy (BOP), can keep your company operating in the event of a catastrophe. Business interruption insurance, also called business income insurance, enables you to make payroll, pay bills, and replace lost income when a covered event temporarily forces your company to close its doors.

What is the meaning of Business Interruption Insurance?

If you temporarily cannot open your business due to a loss covered by the policy, such as a fire or theft, business interruption insurance does help to replace lost business income.
Premiums for business interruption insurance (or, at the very least, the added expense of the rider) are taxable as everyday business expenses. This policy only pays out if the fundamental property/casualty policy covers the cause of the corporate income loss. The company’s past financial records usually determine the amount payable.
The insurance policy’s definition of the business interruption timespan will determine how long the insurance coverage for business interruption will last. For example, the Insurance Information Institute states that the standard policy has a 30-day duration but can be extended to 360 days using an endorsement.
The majority of business interruption insurance policies specify that this time frame runs from the start of the covered peril until the damaged property is physically fixed and restored to its pre-disaster state. There might also be a 48–72 hour waiting period.

What are the Business interruption risks?

Business interruption can have a significant impact on a company’s revenues regardless of whether it is caused by classical exposures such as a fire at a manufacturing plant, a natural disaster that disrupts production, or a break in the supply chain due to property damage at the premises of a supplier or customer (often referred to as contingent business interruption). One of the most challenging risks to quantify is the potential loss of income.
As the type of business interruption risk evolves in today’s globally connected economy, business owners face an increasing number of disruptive scenarios. Unfortunately, many of these scenarios can occur with no physical harm but significant financial loss. For example, breakdowns in core IT systems, product recalls, quality incidents, terrorist acts, political violence events or riots, environmental or pollution incidents, or even regulatory changes can all bring businesses to a halt and have devastating consequences.

What are the types of business interruption insurance coverage?

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), approximately 25% of businesses do not reopen after a disaster. Therefore, purchasing a business owner’s insurance policy, or BOP, is one element of appropriate emergency preparedness for small businesses. A business owner’s policy (BOP) is the most common policy purchased by small businesses, and it includes a commercial basis, real estate investment or property coverage, and business interruption insurance.

• General liability insurance, also called business liability insurance, defends the companyagainst liability claims involving bodily harm, property damage, defamatory, and slander. Public liability helps cover medical costs if someone is injured while on a business property. If a lawsuit is brought against the company, it also covers the cost of the defense.
• Commercial property insurance, also called business property insurance, covers thecompany’s location and tangible assets, including furniture, inventory, and equipment. For example, suppose a covered peril, such as fire or lightning, outcomes in physical construction problems to a building or items inside the building, such as office equipment, commercial property insurance can assist with the repair or replacement costs. Typically, this includes damaged property due to vandalism, riots, and other civil unrest.
• Business interruption insurance (BI) replaces lost net income as a result of the closing of thebusiness. At the same time, maintenance is being made, whereas commercial property insurance only pays for actual physical losses or damages. These policies may cover rent or lease payments, moving expenses, employee salaries, taxes, and loan repayments. Business interruption insurance does not typically cover flooding, earthquakes, and mudslides, though customers can buy additional coverage for these risks. Damages unrelated to property damage, such as money lost from pandemics or viral outbreaks, are excluded from coverage.
• civil authority coverage: Business interruption insurance policies may include a clause for civilauthority coverage. A civil authority clause in business interruption insurance may provide compensation for lost revenue if a state, local, or federal government body forbids access to the business premises, forcing it to close temporarily. A standard BI policy form produced by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) specifies that certain conditions must be met to establish coverage:
  • The premises shall be inaccessible; and
  • The area around the insured property must have physical damages; and
  • Damages must be brought on by a risk covered by the property insurance policy

There are two different kinds of business interruption insurance: contingent business interruption and extended business interruption. As riders, these selectable coverages can be added to a standard business interruption policy.

To be covered, contingent business interruption insurance policies may require the occurrence of property damage. Contingent business interruption insurance policies guard against losses caused by supply chain disruptions. A business may be eligible for CBI payouts when supply chain interruptions or closures happen with providers, vendors, or other companies on which it depends. To regain lost business revenues as a result of the closure of the print company, for instance, a print media publisher who relies on a single print corporation might use CBI. These contracts give companies access to money they can use to pay their employees’ salaries, rent, and other operating costs. Payouts on CBI claims are typically connected to physical damage or commercial real estate claims, just like business interruption insurance.

Extended business interruption (EBI) insurance protects you during the interim period after a business property is repaired but before its revenue resumes where it was before the loss.

The kind of industry, the number of staff, and the amount of coverage required are just a few of the variables that affect how much business interruption insurance costs. In addition, a company’s physical location may affect the final price. For instance, premium costs may be higher for a business in a high-risk region vulnerable to hurricanes or wildfires than for similar companies in lower-risk areas.

What comes under the coverage of business interruption insurance?

Operating costs incurred by a company due to an issue covered by the policy are covered by business interruption insurance. Theft, wind, fire, lightning, and falling objects are usually covered potential dangers for business interruption insurance.
Profits: A policy will reimburse you for any gains you would have made had the incident not happened, based on how well you performed in previous months.
Operating costs and other expensed business costs can be included in fixed costs.
Temporary location: Some insurance plans pay the costs of moving into and running a temporary place of business.
Cost of commission and training: After a business interruption event, a company frequently needs to replace its equipment and retrain its staff on how to operate the new equipment. Insurance against business interruption may pay for these expenses.
Extra costs: Business interruption insurance will pay for reasonable prices (above and beyond fixed costs) that enable the business to keep running while it regains its footing.
Civil authority entry/exit: In the event of a business interruption, the government may require a
business location close, which will inevitably result in a financial loss. Examples include street closures because of a covered event or forced closures brought on by government-issued curfews.
Employee wages: Paying employees is crucial if a company doesn’t want to lose them due to the closure. This insurance can help with payroll if a company owner cannot work.
Taxes: Even in the midst of a catastrophe, businesses must still pay taxes. A company will be able to pay the tax on time and avoid fines if it has tax coverage.
Loan payments are frequently due each month. But, even when they are not making money, a business can still make those payments with the aid of business interruption insurance.

What is not covered under business interruption insurance?

According to the website of the Insurance Information Institute, you will not be covered for:

• Items that have been broken as a result of a covered event or loss (such as glass) ● A separate policy covers damage from flooding or earthquakes.
• Undocumented income that does not appear on your company’s financial statements.
• Utilities
• Pandemics, viruses, and infectious diseases (for example, COVID-19).

Evidently, during the COVID-19 outbreak and the ensuing business closures and curtailments, what business interruption insurance does and does not cover has come under particular scrutiny. But, unfortunately, policyholders won’t generally be covered, so that’s the answer.
Regular business interruption insurance does not compensate policyholders when a pandemic shuts down a business. Even some all-risk insurances have specific exclusions for losses brought on by bacteria or viruses.
According to James Lynch, FCAS MAAA, chief auditor and senior vice president of research and education at the Insurance Information Institute, “the typical business interruption policy only pertains when the business suffers direct physical loss or damage, such as a fire.” “Business interruption can also occur when a nearby business experiences immediate physical loss or damage and all businesses are forced to close as a result by a civil authority, such as the government.”
There are exclusions even in all-risk business interruption insurance. And, as Dunsavage points out, these exemptions have usually tended to include losses from virus infections and infectious diseases, particularly since the SARS outbreak of 2003.

Who should have this business interruption insurance at any cost?

This insurance is appropriate for any company that depends on commercial real estate to generate revenue. Additionally, businesses that need more cash to cover a month’s salary and other overhead costs should seriously consider investing in business interruption insurance.
Even as business interruption insurance is an excellent choice for most small business owners, it can be critical coverage for businesses that rely on a physical location (such as your building) or assets (such as machinery and equipment) that could be affected by problems such as fire, theft, wind, lighting, and falling objects. This includes companies such as:

• Yoga studios
• Spa and salon owners
• Dog Groomers
• Restaurants
• Retail Stores

How much does the policy cost, and how much coverage does an individual need?

Generally speaking, every business interruption policy has a coverage limit. This is the most your insurance provider will contribute to a claim for business interruption. Because you’ll be responsible for covering any financial losses that exceed your coverage limit, picking a decent coverage amount is crucial.

Consider the following factors:

• How long would it take to reopen the business after a disaster such as a fire?
• Are your company’s security and fire alarms up to date?
• What would it cost to lease a new facility in your area, and is there any

available? Use your projected earnings and gross income as a guide to determine the appropriate level of coverage. For example, you want the insurance to pay for operating costs while your company is undergoing repairs.

Depending on how much coverage you require, business interruption insurance costs vary. Consider the worst situation, such as a fire that undermines your building and its contents, to figure out how much coverage you require.
Next, determine your profits over the potential 12- to 24 months needed to rebuild your company by accounting for the following factors:

• Anticipated inflation and growth.
• The cost of moving and relocation.
• Costs of operating from a temporary location, such as those for exterior signs and other forms of advertising.
• You won’t have to pay bills like maintenance fees for the building.
• Employee benefits and workers’ compensation insurance costs for employees who won’t be working during the rebuild