Some Insurers Now Refusing To Cover Downtown Portland Businesses

What rational insurance company would insure any business in Portland, given the mayor’s stance on crime and law enforcement. And when small business owners can’t get insurance they can’t stay open. Expect an exodus of small businesses from downtown Portland. It’s so sad.

Some Insurers Now Refusing To Cover Downtown Portland Businesses

By KTRH, December 18, 2020

ADVERTISEMENT

The ongoing riots & looting by Antifa/BLM in downtown Portland has resulted in tens of millions in losses to businesses due to damages and lost customers.

The District Attorney in the county is big fan of Antifa and thus has dismissed a majority of charges brought against those who riot & loot. Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt’s office has refused to file charges against nearly 70% of those arrested rioting & looting.

So it should come as no surprise that insurance companies are now starting to refuse to cover businesses in downtown Portland.And those who are lucky enough to get coverage see high premiums with less coverage and a bigger deductible.

The Oregonian reports on business owner Erick Murfitt who suffered $1 million in losses due to looting back in May.

When Murfitt’s insurance carrier told him they would not re renewing his policy, he went through other insurance companies and was declined by nearly a dozen.

He finally found an insurance company but not he’s paying a high premium while receiving less coverage.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Oregonian reports:

“brokers say insurance companies have become particularly wary about covering Portland businesses, especially those downtown, as ongoing protests have given the city a reputation for upheaval and led to a spike in vandalism and destruction, often committed by a small group of people…

[the_ad id=”110283″]

Insurers’ apparent reluctance to cover Portland businesses is another indication of how severely this year’s turbulence has affected the city and its image. And it represents another hurdle for small business owners, who are trying to overcome the pandemic’s profound effect on shopping and work habits and the physical damage from sporadic attacks on storefronts. Jessica Getman, president of Brown & Brown Insurance Northwest, said that some insurance carriers have placed moratoriums on issuing new commercial insurance policies or increasing coverage for existing customers in downtown Portland, creating a barrier for anyone trying to open a new business.

She said it is not uncommon for carriers to place temporary pauses on issuing new policies in areas where there is a perceived increased risk, such as when there are wildfires nearby. While Getman said most insurance carriers aren’t walking away from existing customers in downtown Portland, she said owners who have had to file claims for property loss and damage this year could have a harder time renewing their policies or finding affordable options that offer property coverage.”