According to correspondence seen by the
Irish Independent, at least one insurer is now claiming that certain seated food businesses could have remained open during the first lockdown, as they were “deemed essential”.
Only food wholesalers and takeaways were permitted to remain op en in the first lockdown. Some seated businesses eventually were able to partially re-open with takeaway services.
Two other insurers have delayed processing claims for weeks, saying they need time to review the cases before reverting with their decisions.
Claims managers handling the cases are rejecting the arguments, citing guidance from the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) that insurers should interpret the language in policies in terms “most favourable” to the customer.