Wolfgang Hanssmann, Head of Sales at HDI
–
–
Wolfgang Hanssmann, Head of Sales at HDI, took the time to answer the questions that are currently important. The focus is on business closure insurance in times of Corona.
–
Cash.: HDI Versicherung announced at the end of March that the coronavirus is included in the business closure insurance (FSIO). It is not covered by other insurers. Can you explain that to us?
Wolfgang Hanssmann: The core idea of the FSIO is to protect businesses, especially but not only in food-related areas and all about the health sector, against the risks of closure due to the Infection Protection Act. Of course, the insurance industry has always assumed localized events such as salmonella or individual official orders. Nobody thought of a nationwide closure due to preventive general decrees. But we cannot make that a problem for our customers. The current situation shows that it can affect anyone. Which is why HDI is now offering the new BSV for almost all industries.
Cash.: What does that mean exactly?
Wolfgang Hanssmann: Customers from all sectors who have taken out compact commercial insurance with HDI and the BSV module with reference to the Infection Protection Act can always trust that new diseases and pathogens are also covered. Although it is not named, we have put the new coronavirus on an equal footing with the pathogens mentioned in our terms and conditions and have also accepted general directives. Thus, officially ordered company closures due to the new corona virus are also insured with us in the existing policies.
Cash.: You have made a decision for the benefit of your customers. Now, however, you are sending your customers notice of changes. How does that fit together?
Wolfgang Hanssmann: The current corona crisis has shown the design flaw in the conditions. The FSIO was designed and calculated for local events in which a manageable number of businesses are affected and have to close temporarily due to official orders. Even if we have now made extensive claims payments – business closings due to preventive general directives do not correspond to the basic idea and the efficiency of the FSIO. That is why we have adjusted our conditions.
Cash.: So will future pandemics not be insurable through the BSV?
Wolfgang Hanssmann: The operational consequences of a pandemic will continue to be insurable through our FSIO. We will continue to provide notifiable diseases and pathogens in connection with an individual official order. This also applies if a company is closed due to an individual order in order to prevent the spread of notifiable diseases or pathogens from another company. The economic consequences of business closings due to a pandemic can therefore still be insured privately, but not area-wide general directives.
Cash.: What other changes have you made to the HDI conditions for the BSV?
Wolfgang Hanssmann: In addition to the changes already mentioned, a four-week waiting period has been included in the new conditions of the FSIO. Furthermore, some points have been defined more precisely, for example for the crediting of state benefits or the exclusion of multiple benefits for an insured event within one year.
Cash.: Mr. Hanssmann, thank you very much for the interview.
www.hdi.de
–
