Life Insurance Online :: News
SHARE

Share this news item!

Federal Court Dismisses Class Actions for COVID Business Interruption Claims

Federal Court Dismisses Class Actions for COVID Business Interruption Claims

Federal Court Dismisses Class Actions for COVID Business Interruption Claims?w=400

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

The Federal Court has determined that business interruption claims related to COVID-19, involving four insurers, should not proceed as class actions.
This ruling obliges individual policyholders to pursue their cases separately if they wish to proceed.

Justice Michael Lee announced on Friday that proceedings are adjourned pending the issuance of "declassing orders," following arguments from insurers against group actions. Policyholders who had hoped to be part of the class actions will receive notices explaining their rights and options for individual claims.

The legal firms involved, including Gordon Legal and Slater & Gordon, had initiated cases against multiple insurers. Specifically, Gordon Legal filed on behalf of Cody Gemtec Retail t/as the National Opal Collection against Syndicate 2003 at Lloyd’s, and Strand Fitness and others against QBE. Slater & Gordon filed cases for CMC Hospitality against Insurance Australia, and Vicki Field Swim School against Hollard.

An IAG spokesperson welcomed the decision, urging customers with potential COVID-19-related business interruption claims to file those claims individually to facilitate efficient assessment through their standard process. The company also highlighted that a further case management hearing is anticipated and the appeal period remains active, promising updates "at the appropriate time."

James Naughton, a partner at Gordon Legal, told insuranceNEWS.com.au that individuals are encouraged to contact the firm to discuss their options for submitting individual claims against their insurers.

The court had previously ordered that policyholders be notified to register their interest in the proposed class actions, which garnered thousands of responses by a set deadline earlier this year.

  1. Cody Gemtec Retail t/as the National Opal Collection vs. Syndicate 2003 at Lloyd's
  2. Strand Fitness vs. QBE
  3. CMC Hospitality vs. Insurance Australia
  4. Vicki Field Swim School vs. Hollard

John Berrill, the principal of Berrill and Watson Lawyers, clarified that Friday's ruling addresses only the procedural aspect of how claims should be resolved—individual vs. class actions—without commenting on the validity of the claims. He emphasized the importance of policyholders understanding their rights and considering their options promptly since claims linked to the 2020 pandemic lockdowns are approaching the six-year statute of limitations for legal action.

Published:Tuesday, 24th Sep 2024
Author: Paige Estritori

Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.

Share this news item:

Rate this article

0 Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.

Insurance News

Credit Card Travel Insurance Cuts Create a New Pre-Trip Check
Credit Card Travel Insurance Cuts Create a New Pre-Trip Check
11 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori
Australian travellers who have long relied on credit card travel insurance now have a fresh reason to check their cover before leaving home, with several major banks reducing, restructuring or removing complimentary travel insurance benefits across selected cards. The changes do not mean every cardholder is uninsured, but they do mean past experience is a poor guide to what applies to the next trip. - read more
New WHS figures sharpen the risk picture for tradies
New WHS figures sharpen the risk picture for tradies
11 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori
Safe Work Australia’s latest Key Work Health and Safety Statistics, released on 12 October 2026, provide a fresh reminder that construction remains one of the country’s highest-risk work environments. The national data records 41 construction worker fatalities in 2025 and shows construction accounted for 11.7% of serious workers’ compensation claims in 2024-25, making the figures directly relevant to trade businesses reviewing safety systems, contracts and insurance arrangements. - read more
Mallee Hail Is a Sharp Reminder About Harvest-Time Insurance Gaps
Mallee Hail Is a Sharp Reminder About Harvest-Time Insurance Gaps
10 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori
A damaging hailstorm across Victoria’s Mallee has turned a promising harvest into a difficult insurance and cash-flow test for affected grain growers. ABC Rural reported on 6 November 2026 that hail swept through districts including Birchip, Wycheproof and Quambatook, damaging thousands of hectares of wheat, barley, lentils, canola and other crops just as many paddocks were ready to harvest. - read more
Strata Storm Claim Ruling Puts Defect Exclusions in Focus
Strata Storm Claim Ruling Puts Defect Exclusions in Focus
10 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori
A recent Australian Financial Complaints Authority decision has highlighted a difficult but common issue for strata communities: damage that happens during a storm is not always insured storm damage. The dispute, reported on 5 November 2026, involved an owners corporation claim for a collapsed parapet wall, with the insurer declining cover on the basis that defective design, materials or workmanship were the dominant cause rather than the weather event itself. - read more
Healthcare liability pressure puts clinic renewal evidence in focus
Healthcare liability pressure puts clinic renewal evidence in focus
10 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori
A new Australian healthcare professional liability market update points to a sharper divide between general insurance market conditions and the experience of healthcare organisations arranging malpractice and professional liability cover. Lockton’s 1 November 2026 update says established insurers remain selective, claims inflation is affecting attachment points and underwriters are looking more closely at how clinical governance works in practice, not merely whether accreditation exists. - read more


Life Insurance Articles

Understanding the Role of Life Insurance in Your Estate Plan
Understanding the Role of Life Insurance in Your Estate Plan
Estate planning is a critical process that often goes overlooked, but it's essential for securing the financial future of your loved ones and ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes. It involves the careful organization and protection of an individual’s estate to minimize uncertainties and facilitate the smooth transfer of assets after their passing. While it may seem complex, understanding the basics of estate planning is necessary for every Australian adult, regardless of wealth. - read more
The Single Parent’s Guide to Securing Your Child’s Financial Future
The Single Parent’s Guide to Securing Your Child’s Financial Future
Single parenting brings with it a mosaic of responsibilities and challenges, not least of which is securing a stable financial future for your child. The rollercoaster of raising a child alone often means that planning for the future can take a back seat to the day-to-day demands of parenting. Unexpected illnesses and injuries can compound these challenges, causing stress to multiply and plans to go awry. - read more
Understanding Your Insurance Needs at Every Life Stage
Understanding Your Insurance Needs at Every Life Stage
Navigating the complex world of insurance can often feel daunting, but understanding the importance of life stage consideration when choosing life insurance is essential. As we journey through the various chapters of our lives, our financial responsibilities, dependents, and personal circumstances evolve. These changes invariably have significant implications for our insurance needs. - read more
How Life Insurance and Estate Planning Work Together for Your Benefit
How Life Insurance and Estate Planning Work Together for Your Benefit
For many Australian families, the concept of estate planning might evoke imagery of vast wealth and complex legal documents, reserved for the very affluent. However, this misconception overshadows the universal importance of having an estate plan, which at its core, is about ensuring your loved ones are cared for and your wishes are honored upon your passing—even if you don't consider yourself wealthy. - read more
Protecting Your Loved Ones: The Role of Life Insurance in Estate Planning
Protecting Your Loved Ones: The Role of Life Insurance in Estate Planning
Estate planning is a process that involves the management and distribution of an individual's assets and responsibilities in the event of their passing or incapacitation. It is an essential part of financial planning that ensures your assets are managed according to your desires and your loved ones are taken care of. - read more

Knowledgebase
Flood Insurance:
A specific type of property insurance that covers losses and damage caused by flooding.