Pa. Bridal Store Says COVID-19 Civil Authority Orders Caused Covered Property Damage

PHILADELPHIA — The owner of a Philadelphia area bridal store has sued Farmers Insurance Group for business interruption losses it sustained after state lawmakers ordered all non-essential businesses to close on March 16 in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19.

In a July 14 complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, VIP Fashion Inc. contends that it suffered physical damage to its property as a result of the closure orders, and the virus exclusion does not apply to its losses.

VIP contends that access to its business was prohibited by Pennsylvania Governor …