Fla. Judge Finds Gym Did Not Suffer ‘Direct Physical Loss’ in COVID-19 Coverage Case

TAMPA, Fla. — A Florida judge ruled that Markel Insurance Co. is not liable to reimburse a gym for losses it sustained when it temporarily closed in compliance with government COVID-19 shutdown orders, finding there was no “direct physical loss” to the insured property, as required by the policy.

In a Nov. 10 order, Judge E. Lamar Battles of the Hillsborough County (Fla.) Circuit Court further ruled that the policy’s virus exclusion applies to Dime Fitness LLC d/b/a Anytime Fitness’ claim because the executive orders were issued in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19.

“Given this, the economic …