Pa. Judge Defends Coordination of COVID-19 Coverage Actions Against Erie Insurance Exchange

PITTSBURGH — A Pennsylvania judge has defended her decision to coordinate all COVID-19 business interruption coverage cases pending against Erie Insurance Exchange in the commonwealth, ruling that “the initial determinations of whether Erie’s standard business insurance contracts cover business losses suffered as a result of COVID-19 can and should be determined by one court.”

In rejecting Erie’s appeal on Nov. 20, Judge Christine A. Ward of the Allegheny County (Pa.) Court of Common Pleas added that all parties will be adequately notified of the coordination proceedings and will have the opportunity to opt out, without creating undue delay.

On June …