Calif. Beachfront Eatery Owner Sues Hartford Fire for Coverage of COVID-19 Losses

LOS ANGELES — The owners of 13 Southern California beachside restaurants and rental services has sued Hartford Fire Insurance Co. (HFIC), demanding coverage for business interruption losses they suffered when state and local lawmakers forced all non-essential business to close during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a complaint removed to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on Oct. 13, Sundance Rentals, Inc., Chaos Enterprises Inc. and Cyberbiz Inc. contend that the government orders caused them to sustain “physical loss or damage” to their insured properties.

Between March 16 and 19, plaintiffs were forced to close in …