Requiring insurers to cover pandemic-related shutdowns would jeopardize industry’s solvency, experts say
Published on May 19, 2020
Most insurance experts believe legislative proposals that would require insurers to cover business-interruption (BI) claims stemming from COVID-19 related shutdowns, even if the insurance policies exclude pandemic-related losses, threaten the solvency of the insurance industry. This is the finding of a survey conducted by the Wisconsin School of Business and the Center for Insurance Policy and Research of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
The survey also found most experts believe the private market will have a difficult time efficiently supplying BI coverage for pandemics, given the systemic, correlated, and non-diversifiable nature of the peril.
Many survey respondents felt only the federal government can provide coverage for correlated risks because it can spread the cost through taxation, long-run borrowing, and deficit financing. But whether provided by only the federal government or the private market, the pricing and affordability of coverage were indicated to be issues for both.
Most said they believe the private market can supply BI coverage for pandemics with an effective federal partnership. Some questioned whether the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program (TRIP) is a good model for pandemic insurance, given the similarities between the pandemic and terrorism perils.
The complete survey can be found here.
