Judgment reserved in publicans' test cases against insurer FBD over Covid payouts

Over 1000 Irish pubs and bars are affected by the dispute which arose after the insurer refused to provide them with cover since the coronavirus pandemic resulted in the temporary closure of businesses in mid-March.

FBD also told the court it has never provided cover for pandemics and no one in Ireland has ever asked for it. File image

Judgment will be given in the New Year on four test cases brought by pub owners over insurer FBD's refusal to pay out on business disruption over the Covid-19 pandemic.

The four publicans have brought cases challenging FBD Insurance Plc's refusal earlier this year to indemnify them. The case is also about the insurer’s stance that its policies of insurance do not cover the disruption caused to businesses by Covid-19.