Insurance companies need to honour the claims of pubs forced to close due to Covid-19 health restrictions without delay.
That's according to Longford Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD and Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Robert Troy, following a major court decision today.
The High Court has ruled that four pub owners, including a well known bar in Athlone, should be compensated for financial losses incurred as a result of the pandemic.
Sean's Bar in Athlone and three Dublin pubs sued FBD Insurance, claiming ongoing losses following closures due to the pandemic.
FBD claimed they weren't covered under its Business Interruption insurance. They argued that it only covers local outbreaks and not national pandemics.
The company has over one thousand other customers on similar policies, with the 10 week long court proceedings seen as a test case.
In an electronic judgement handed down today, Mr Justice Denis McDonald found that the policy sold by FBD did cover the publican's losses.
FBD has now committed to paying out 'valid claims' to its public house insurance customers.
Minster Troy called on other insurance companies to follow suit and payout legitimate claims:
