During this unprecedented time, Argo Group is working hard to limit disruption to customers. There is currently no impact to normal customer service operations. Argo is committed to providing the products and services our partners and clients are accustomed to, even as we take steps to ensure the safety of our employees.
We are ready and able to continue business as usual. Please visit our Business and Claims pages for more information.
How Argo Group Prepared
Argo Group successfully shifted a 1500-person organization to an entirely remote workforce in only 48 hours. Although an internal strategy that aligned its digital and operations teams was crucial to business continuity planning during this time, it was the early adoption of digital solutions that eased the transition.
Embracing digital strategies that help streamline service delivery is at the heart of everything Argo Group does. Having these tools in place helped manage the pandemic and they continue to spotlight what aspects of insurance can remain automated in a post-pandemic world.
Supporting Worldwide Relief Efforts
Argo Group is a proud donor to global entities that are helping fight the Coronavirus pandemic, including the CDC Foundation and the United Nations Foundation.
Additionally, local employee-led contributions committees are donating additional funds to support organizations in their communities. Learn more about their efforts and see how you can help.
Financial Assistance for U.S. Policyholders
As most communities across the United States started to shelter in place and for many weeks to follow, Argo Group U.S. offered financial assistance to policyholders experiencing hardships due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, including a temporary suspension of policy cancellation for nonpayment through June 1, 2020.
As much of the country reopens, Argo Group U.S. continues to uphold all state regulatory orders to provide policyholder leniency. We will also review unique situations on a case-by-case basis. Please contact your agent or broker for more information. If you are working with a premium finance company, please contact them directly with any billing questions.
Update: UK Financial Conduct Authority Business Interruption Proceedings
On June 9, 2020, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued High Court proceedings to start a test case in respect to business interruption policies that provide cover in circumstances where there has been no physical damage to the insured property. The proceedings will review a representative sample of policy wordings to determine whether they provide cover for Covid-19, and in what circumstances. The outcomes will then inform the assessment of policies and claims for all insurers of business interruption cover.
The FCA has involved a number of insurers as parties in the test case. Although ArgoGlobal is not involved in the test case, we support the FCA’s aim to achieve clarity for all concerned in this unprecedented situation.
On 15 September 2020, the judgment was delivered by the High Court.
There will be a hearing in October 2020 at which the parties may make submissions to the court relating to the judgment and any applications for permission to appeal the decision. The FCA Guidelines require insurers promptly to assess all outstanding claims and complaints following the final resolution of the test case. The final resolution of the test case occurs when the court has determined the questions in the test case after all rights of appeal have been concluded. Because it is currently unknown whether the parties will appeal the judgment, it is not yet possible to say whether there has been a final resolution of the test case.
If you have received a communication that your claim or complaint will not be affected by the final resolution of the FCA test case, this remans the position and the test case judgment will not affect our decision.
If you have received a communication that your claim or complaint may be affected by the final resolution of the test case, you will be contacted once we have fully digested the judgment and understand whether any parties intend to appeal against it, no later than 5 working days following the outcome of the next hearing in October.
Information about the test case can be found on the FCA website and information concerning business interruption insurance can be found on the Financial Ombudsman Service’s website. You can subscribe to the FCA’s email alerts which will keep you fully up to date on the progress of the case.
