Zurich update on UK business interruption
- Zurich welcomes the judgment in the UK High Court, which confirms that the wordings represented by Zurich do not provide cover for business interruption in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak
- Throughout the current crisis the Group has provided a wide range of support and relief to customers including the prompt payment of claims where coverage exists, resulting in a limited level of disputes over coverage
- The Group is reviewing the full implications of the judgment in relation to other wordings examined in the FCA test case
The UK High Court has confirmed that the wordings represented by Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) in the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) test case do not provide cover for business interruption in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak.
This is further supported by the limited numbers of claims relating to policies with these wordings received to date in respect of business interruption in the UK, and the very low level of disputes over coverage.
Group CEO Mario Greco said: “While we welcome the judgment of the High Court in respect of Zurich’s wordings, we recognize that COVID-19 has caused immense suffering for our customers, their families and their businesses. We will continue to do all we can to support our customers and our communities at this time.”
Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, Zurich has continued to deliver on its commitment to customers. As part of this commitment the Group has provided a range of financial relief through premium rebates, payment holidays and extensions of coverage as well as additional support to commercial customers through knowledge sharing on how best to manage risk and to protect customers. This commitment includes the prompt payment of claims where coverage exists.
Zurich is reviewing the broader implications of the judgment in relation to wordings represented by other insurers in the FCA test case.
The resulting increase in the Group's COVID-19 related Property & Casualty claims cost estimate of USD 750 million for the full-year 20201 will not be material to the Group’s earnings.
1 Based on current assessments, subject to some degree of uncertainty considering the continuing nature of the event and any appeal of the UK High Court’s judgment.
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Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is a leading multi-line insurer that serves its customers in global and local markets. With about 55,000 employees, it provides a wide range of property and casualty, and life insurance products and services in more than 215 countries and territories. Zurich’s customers include individuals, small businesses, and mid-sized and large companies, as well as multinational corporations. The Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, where it was founded in 1872. The holding company, Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information about Zurich is available at www.zurich.com.
Disclaimer and cautionary statement
Certain statements in this document are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements that are predictions of or indicate future events, trends, plans or objectives of Zurich Insurance Group Ltd or the Zurich Insurance Group (the Group). Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Group’s targeted profit, return on equity targets, expenses, pricing conditions, dividend policy and underwriting and claims results, as well as statements regarding the Group’s understanding of general economic, financial and insurance market conditions and expected developments. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause actual results and plans and objectives of Zurich Insurance Group Ltd or the Group to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements (or from past results). Factors such as (i) general economic conditions and competitive factors, particularly in key markets; (ii) the risk of a global economic downturn, in the financial services industries in particular; (iii) performance of financial markets; (iv) levels of interest rates and currency exchange rates; (v) frequency, severity and development of insured claims events; (vi) mortality and morbidity experience; (vii) policy renewal and lapse rates; (viii) increased litigation activity and regulatory actions; and (ix) changes in laws and regulations and in the policies of regulators may have a direct bearing on the results of operations of Zurich Insurance Group Ltd and its Group and on whether the targets will be achieved. Specifically in relation with the COVID-19 related statements, such statements were made on the basis of circumstances prevailing at a certain time and on the basis of specific terms and conditions (in particular applicable exclusions) of insurance policies as written and interpreted by the Group and may be subject to regulatory, legislative, governmental and litigation-related developments affecting the extent of potential losses covered by a member of the Group or potentially exposing the Group to additional losses if terms or conditions are retroactively amended by way of legislative or regulatory action. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.
All references to “Farmers Exchanges” mean Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange and their subsidiaries and affiliates. The three Exchanges are California domiciled inter-insurance exchanges owned by their policyholders with governance oversight by their Boards of Governors. Farmers Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries are appointed as the attorneys-in-fact for the Farmers Exchanges and in that capacity provide certain non-claims services and ancillary services to the Farmers Exchanges. Neither Farmers Group, Inc., nor its parent companies, Zurich Insurance Company Ltd and Zurich Insurance Group Ltd, have any ownership interest in the Farmers Exchanges. Financial information about the Farmers Exchanges is proprietary to the Farmers Exchanges, but is provided to support an understanding of the performance of Farmers Group, Inc. and Farmers Reinsurance Company.
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