Civil Authority Coverage: What It Is and Why It Matters

Most business owners know about business interruption (BI) insurance. It helps cover lost income and ongoing expenses if your operations are disrupted because your own property is damaged by a covered event—like a fire, storm, or vandalism.

But here’s the catch: what if your building is perfectly fine, yet you’re still forced to close? That’s where civil authority coverage comes in.

How They’re Different

Business Interruption (BI): Protects you when your own property suffers covered physical damage and you can’t operate.

Civil Authority Coverage: Protects you when nearby property is damaged and the government orders you to shut down, even if your building wasn’t harmed.

In short, BI responds to your own damage. Civil authority responds when outside damage and government actions stop you from doing business.

Real-World Examples

Civil authority coverage might apply if:

• A wildfire damages buildings down the street, and the city orders an evacuation.
• Police block off roads to your area after a nearby fire, cutting off access to your storefront.
• A curfew during civil unrest shuts down your usual operating hours.

Key Conditions

Civil authority coverage usually only applies if:

• The nearby damage is from a peril already covered by your BI policy.
• A government order truly blocks access to your business (not just partial inconvenience).
• You meet the waiting period, typically 24–72 hours, before coverage kicks in. Coverage then lasts for a set time—often 15–30 days.

What It Doesn’t Cover

If the cause of damage is excluded from your BI policy (like flooding, earthquakes, terrorism, or biological events), then civil authority coverage won’t apply either. And as many businesses learned during COVID-19, widespread public health emergencies generally don’t trigger this protection since there’s no direct property damage.

Tips for Business Owners

Review your policy. Understand how BI and civil authority coverage work together.

Keep good records. Closure orders, photos, and financial data will help with claims.

Check your limits. You may need endorsements or extra coverage for your unique risks.

Bottom Line

BI and civil authority coverage often work hand in hand—but they’re not the same. BI protects you when your property is hit. Civil authority helps when the damage is nearby, but government actions force you to close.

Want help making sure you’re covered for both scenarios? Contact Concierge Insurance Group today—we’ll walk you through it in plain English and make sure you’ve got the right protection.

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