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COVID-19 Licensing Issues: NTIA to challenge Insurers for failure to honour business interruption policies Published Date: 22/04/2020

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) is urging businesses which have policies with Hiscox Insurance to joing the current group of over 100 claimants to progress the case against the company. 

Chief Executive of the NTIA, Michael Kill said: 

“Night Time Economy businesses are being denied legitimate insurance claims, many claims are being disputed by insurers based on contrived arguments to avoid sharing the financial burden during the Covid - 19 crisis.

The group, is being advised by Philip Kolvin QC of Cornerstone Barristers who said:

“Leisure operators are suffering severe hardship. There is a clear and present danger that the industry will be decimated, that leisure businesses throughout the UK will go to the wall, that jobs and livelihoods will be lost, and that the cultural capacity of the nation will be depleted for years to come.

"We should celebrate that the Night Time Industries Association has stepped up to the plate to support the sector. It is time now for those insurance companies who know they are liable under their policies do the same. The clue is in the name ‘insurance’. It is what they are in business for. They should not be running for cover. They will never be forgiven for doing so.”


Simon Mabb,  Managing Director of NDML Insurance, a specialist insurance broker for nightclubs, late bars, pub & restaurant groups and hotels who are also working with the NTIA said:

“As brokers, we are working with NTIA and Philip Kolvin QC in representing our clients in pursuing their claims for Business Interruption losses due to the Covid - 19 lockdown. We are exploring every possible avenue to get insurers moving and paying legitimate claims to their clients.

"So, this is a direct call to certain insurers to do the right thing NOW, even though times are hard. Now is the time to work together. Not to find loopholes and re-write wordings that exclude claims. But to stand by the clients that have stood by you for so many years, to recognise that loyalty. And to save our industry."

According to reports, the action by the NTIA comes as two separate Hiscox action groups, together involving about 200 more claimants, also consider legal action. The chef Raymond Blanc has also reportedly signed up lawyers after being denied a payout by Hiscox (source: The Guardian).