COVID-19 Event Cancellation Claims Pre-Litigation

Summary

This practice note addresses the implications of the COVID-19 virus on event cancellation insurance and resulting litigation. The COVID-19 pandemic is relatively novel but similar enough to past public health and safety emergencies that have required or caused event sponsors to cancel or reschedule events to make comparisons. Cancellation or rescheduling is either voluntary or mandated by a civil authority. Topics discussed include how event cancellation works, why it is purchased, typical coverage and language in a policy, the scope and conditions of event cancellation coverage, specified-risk and all-risk coverage differences, triggers and exclusions to coverage, and event cancellation notice requirements.