Restoration logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Restoration logo
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products & Technologies
    • Submit Your Product
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
  • EDUCATION
    • KnowHow.
    • Podcasts
    • Trade Shows & Expos
    • Training & Certification
    • Webinars
    • Whitepapers
  • TOPICS
    • Water Damage
    • Fire & Smoke Damage
    • Mold
    • Contamination
    • Odor
    • Contents
    • Architecture
    • Catastrophe
    • Cleaning
  • BUSINESS
    • Managing Your Business
    • Insurance/Legal Matters
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • VIDEOS
    • Ask Annissa
    • Ask the Expert
    • Ironclad Marketing Minute
    • TradeTalks
    • Video Channel
  • INFOCENTER
    • Mold and Mycotoxins
  • THE EXPERIENCE
    • Convention & Trade Show
    • R&R Special Issue
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP
ColumnsInsurance/Legal Matters in RestorationGuest Columns

The Intentional Restorer

Communication with the Carriers is Key to Successful Claim Experience

By Jon Isaacson
April 23, 2020

Insurance coverage has already been a consistent topic associated with the direct and indirect impacts of coronavirus. Our guest, Raymond Tittmann, is a Notre Dame alumni and has been practicing law for over 25 years with the last 20 specializing in insurance. He advises clients on complex insurance coverage issues across the country and was recently recognized by Law360 as an MVP for the year in the field of insurance. 

Questions about the extent of business interruption coverages

In a recent White House briefing, President Trump spoke rather candidly about his expectations regarding insurance companies assisting their clients with business interruption:

“You have people that have never asked for business-interruption insurance, and they’ve been paying a lot of money for a lot of years for the privilege of having it. And then when they finally need it, the insurance company says, ‘We’re not going to give it.’ We can’t let that happen.”

While this high level commentary was not out at the time of our discussion with Raymond, the first case of an insured suing their insurance carrier over business interruption as it relates to a civil authority had occurred, and much earlier than most anticipated. This wasn’t ever an issue of whether a company would sue their insurance company relevant to COVID-19, but when. We discussed this case briefly in Episode 1 of The DYOJO Podcast with David Princeton.  

Thoughts on President Trump’s comments about Business Interruption Coverage 

I reached out to Raymond via email to get his thoughts on President Trump’s comments and Raymond responded,

“For business interruption policies without a virus exclusion, the public discussion generally misunderstands the terms.  BI coverage is a rider to property insurance, and covers business interruption caused by property damage (e.g., while flood waters are cleaned up).  It does not stand alone to cover any business interruption. In other words, there needs to be predicate property damage. Several Senators responded to the comments of President Trump and addressed the issue. For business interruption policies with a virus exclusion, there should not be a serious debate.”   

Assessing damages and providing value in a crisis

Mr. Tittmann is no stranger to the labyrinth of the insurance world as he is currently advising several carriers on complex opioid coverage issues. He notes that opioid litigation is projected to put at issue the largest civil litigation dollars in U.S. history, exceeding the $246 billion settlement with cigarette manufacturers. 

I discovered some commentary by Raymond via a LinkedIn discussion over bacterials and communicable disease exclusions. He notes in our discussion that use of words is important as are both the inclusions as well as exclusions within the nuances of a policy. One of the biggest questions is whether coronavirus causes property damage. Even though we believe it isn’t likely transmitted by property to person, at the same time it can’t be excluded. In the aforementioned Louisiana case, Property Casualty 360 notes:

The complaint maintains that ‘the global pandemic is exacerbated by the fact that the deadly virus physically infects and stays on the surface of objects or materials, ‘fomites,’ for up to twenty-eight days, particularly in humid areas below eighty-four degrees.” Further, the complaint states that it is “clear that contamination of the insured premises by the coronavirus would be a direct physical loss needing remediation to clean the surfaces of the establishment.”

Recommendations for property restoration contractors 

As it relates to property restoration contractors providing services for COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2 clean up, Raymond makes some solid observations:

  • Communication: Response without any prior communication to the insurance company creates issues in the carrier, client and contractor paradigm. Whether intentionally or not, this can create problems with confirming coverage which will impact the process for all parties involved. 
  • Documentation: All business owners and cleaning contractors should do their due diligence to create a “fair record” that there was contamination present in the space so that the insurance companies can determine exposure and support a legitimate response to the issues affecting the client.  
  • Provide Value: Whenever services are offered, the contractor should be able to document that value was provided to the client and be able to relay the story of the loss to the insurance company who is adjusting the claim.  

Thank you for reading, watching and listening to this content. The Intentional Restorer’s segment Three Questions with a Pro, brought to you in collaboration with Restoration and Remediation (R&R) Magazine and The DYOJO. Our goal is to connect, collaborate and conquer with our friends and peers in the property restoration community. You can also listen to this interview, with additional exclusive content via The DYOJO Podcast which is available on the Anchor, Spotify, Apple and Google podcasting platforms.  

KEYWORDS: COVID-19 disinfection services innovations in restoration ozone working with carriers

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Isaacson

Jon Isaacson, The Intentional Restorer, is an author and host of The DYOJO Podcast. The goal of The DYOJO is to help growth-minded restoration professionals shorten their DANG learning curve for personal and professional development. You can watch The DYOJO Podcast on YouTube on Thursdays at 9 a.m. PST, or listen on your favorite podcast platform. 

Jon recently released, So, You Want To Be A Project Manager? written to help restorers develop the mindset and habits for success with project management. This is the third book in the Be Intentional series. Previous titles address the topics of Insurance Claims Estimating and Workplace Culture. 

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • mold remediation

    Fighting Mold and Bacteria Damage

    Successful mold remediation can be multidisciplinary,...
    Cleaning and Sanitation
    By: Josh Woolen
  • certifications and licenses for restoration professionals

    Certifications and Licenses Every Restoration Company Needs

    Restoration companies need to make sure they have the...
    Restoration Training/Education
    By: Sharon Elzarat
  • a wall covered in moss and fungus

    Zero Tolerance for Toxic Molds: Essential Steps for Successful Remediation

    Understanding the importance of zero tolerance for toxic...
    Mold Remediation
    By: Michael A. Pinto CSP, SMS, CMP, RTPE, FLS, ERS and Kendra Seymour
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Popular Stories

water on basement floor

How Much Water Causes Water Damage?

hurricane

To CAT or not to CAT? Who Should Stay Home

Measuring business skillsets

Overlooking the Basics: Why New Restoration Businesses Are Failing Prematurely

Submit Your New Product/Technology to R&R!

Would you like to promote a new restoration, remediation or cleaning product/technology with Restoration & Remediation? Fill out the question below to start your submission:

Events

September 3, 2025

The Experience Convention and Trade Show

The Experience Convention & Trade Show logoJoin us in Las Vegas for The Experience Convention & Trade Show, the leading event for cleaning, restoration, and remediation pros, packed with hands-on demos, expert speakers, and high-impact networking. Happening September 3–5, 2025 at Caesars Forum—this is where the industry comes to learn, connect, and grow!

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Doffing PPE

When you are doffing your PPE, do you sanitize between every step?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary.

See More Products
Prepare for CATASTROPHE with R&R!

Related Articles

  • fire damage estimates IR

    The Format for Successful Fire Damage Restoration Estimates

    See More
  • keodalah claim

    The Keodalah Claim & What It Could Mean for Restorers

    See More
  • Restorers Perspective

    The Keodalah Claim & What It Could Mean for Restorers

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • secrets-of-insurance-game.jpg

    Secrets of the Insurance Game

  • M:\General Shared\__AEC Store Katie Z\AEC Store\Images\r&r\new site\waterinbuildings.gif

    Water in Buildings: An Architect's Guide to Moisture and Mold

See More Products

Related Directories

  • One Claim Solution

    One Claim Solution is your restoration billing advocate. Our highly qualified claim advocates work directly with adjusters, owners, and insurance companies to get you paid quickly and fairly. You take care of your customers, we'll take care of the rest. No long-term contracts, just results - give us a try!
×

Stay ahead of the curve with our eNewsletters.

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Submit a Press Release
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Reprints
    • Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing