Trump says businesses should get paid out for coronavirus interruption claims

During a recent White House briefing, President Trump recommended that insurance companies pay out business disruption claims connected to the coronavirus, even if pandemic coverage is not explicitly included in their policy.

On March 29, New Orleans attorney John W. Houghtaling II and many clients, including renowned chefs Thomas Keller and Wolfgang Puck, participated in a telephone discussion with the president, according to the Claims Journal.

Two days before the meeting, the White House called a group of company owners who had gathered to protest insurance claim denials, according to Houghtaling. He said he isn't surprised Trump is interested in the litigation or that he has spoken out in support of businesses who have been refused business interruption coverage even though the insurance does not exclude viruses or pandemics.

After every calamity, the insurance industry's playbook, according to Houghtaling, is to look for legal theories that allow them to refuse valid claims. He expressed his hope that Attorney General William Barr would join Trump in condemning the practice. He claims that the restaurant industry employs more people than any other industry.

"I'm happy of the president saying I'm not letting them get away with it," he remarked.

Houghtaling would not disclose whether he is a Democrat or a Republican. He described himself as "non-partisan" on the issue of whether or not insurers should pay legitimate claims. When he sued insurers who denied claims after natural catastrophes, he said he had backing from Republicans and Democrats.

"They all had in common that their constituents had survived a calamity," Houghtaling explained. "They collect premiums and then withhold funds when a tragedy occurs."