Fire Loss of Profit Insurance Policy: Coverage, Benefits & Formula to Calculate Fire Insurance Claim

What is Fire Loss of Profit Insurance Policy (FLOP)

Consequential losses to the insured business are specifically excluded under a standard Fire and Special Perils Insurance policy that covers only physical damage to the assets. This is where a Loss of Profit Insurance policy is useful, as it covers the loss of Gross Profit of a business arising from an insured loss under its Fire Loss of Profit Insurance Policy.

A major accident at business premises cannot only destroy the assets but also bring the business to a standstill, leading to loss of gross profit. Depending on the size and nature of the business, it can be several months before the business can get back on track. This is usually a period of great financial stress for businesses, as fixed expenses such as rent, remuneration of employees, etc. continue to accrue regardless of the extent of damage and production loss fire loss of profit insurance policy offers the best possible way to get recovered from the loss.

How Consequential Fire Loss of Profit Insurance Policy Work

To understand how Fire Loss of Profit Insurance Policy can help you mitigate risk and give protection from loss of net trading profit. Let’s check this example

• Mr. Andrew bought a Fire and Special Perils policy to cover his textile factory. He purchased a Loss of Profit / Consequential Loss Policy as well.
• A major fire caused property damage to the finishing section of his factory, which led to disruption of business for 2 months.
• Loss of goods and damage to machinery amounted to Rs. 1 crore, which was covered by the insurance company under the Fire and Special Perils Policy.
• There was also a significant loss of turnover since the factory was closed after the fire.
• This loss was aggravated by the fact that Mr. Andrew was required to continue paying standing charges such as rent and wages even though the period of closure.
• Since Mr. Andrews had a Consequential Loss Policy also, he could file a claim to cover the reduction in Gross Profit.
• As the closure of the factory was caused by the operation of a peril covered under the Fire Insurance policy, the insurance company also admitted liability under the Loss of Profit policy. A claim amount of Rs. 2.50 crore towards loss of Gross Profit was paid.

Scope of Cover Under Loss of Profit Policy

The Policy Covers Loss of:

Net Profit + Standing Charges + Expenses incurred necessarily and reasonably to bring the business back on track

A Loss of Profit Policy may carry an excess/deductible expressed in a number of days. This indicates the days immediately after the loss, which would not be included while computing the reduction in Gross Profit.

• Extensions: The policy can be extended to cover:
• Wages
• Accidental failure of public electricity/gas/water supply
• Damage to customer’s premises due to perils covered under Fire Policy
• Damage to Supplier’s premises due to perils covered under Fire Policy
• Auditor’s fees
• Lay –off and/ or retrenchment Compensation with or without Notice Wages Liability
• Sum Insured: The sum insured under the Loss of Profits policy should represent the gross profit of the indemnity period selected.

Also Read: What is Loss of the Profit Policy? And What Damages Covered Under this Policy?

The indemnity period is the maximum period required to put the business back into normal operation after damage to insured property by an insured peril. The indemnity period could vary from 6 months to 3 years.

For indemnity periods up to one year, the annual gross profit should be selected as the sum insured.

And for indemnity periods longer than one year, the Gross Profit (GP) should be proportionately increased.

Benefits of Fire loss of profit insurance policy

• Standing charges.
• Protection from loss of wages.
• Auditor fees are covered by the insurance policy.
• Protection from loss of net trading profit.
• The increased cost of working.

Difference Between Fire Insurance Policy and Loss of Profit Policy?

A standard Fire Insurance Plan called Fire Standard & Special Perils Policy provides coverage for all material damage done to the place or business which causes a financial loss.

So, ​​​​what is loss of profit policy? However, it does not provide cover for the consequential losses due to the fire where the regular operation of the business takes a hit. In case of a fire outbreak, the turnover of the company could be affected and so payment to employees, vendors, etc. could be hampered.

These consequential losses are not covered under the regular Fire Insurance Plan. This is where the Fire Loss of Profit Insurance Policy comes into place.

Note: A Fire Loss of Profit Insurance Policy can only be taken provided a Fire Standard & Special Perils Policy is already taken.

Who Should Buy a Fire Insurance Policy?

Fire is an unfortunate accident, that can happen to anyone at any time. Given below is a list of individuals, firms, institutions, organizations, and entities who should buy a fire insurance policy. 

• Owner of a building
• Owner of content such as furniture and artifacts that are kept inside the building
• Shopkeepers
• Godown Keepers
• Educational Institution
• Hotels
• Banks and Financial Institutions
• Manufacturing Firms
• Industries
• Hospitals and Health Care Centres
• Trusts and Charitable Institutions
• Boarding and Lodging
• Lessor, Lessee
• Mortgagors Mortgagees
• Transporters 
• Stock Traders

Also Read: What Are The Key Features Of Loss Of Profit Policy?

What Is Advance Loss of Profit (ALOP) Insurance?

When a company takes up a project and there are delays in infrastructure or construction, it may have to bear financial losses. While averting such a situation may not always be possible, however, with Advance Loss of Profit Insurance such unfortunate incidents can be covered. ALOP will offer compensation in case the insured company faces lost profits when an undertaken project takes a much longer time to complete than initially expected.

Indemnity Periods Calculations

For the purpose of Loss of Profit insurance, Gross Profit (GP) is commonly understood to be the net Trading Profit plus Standing Charges (fixed charges). Usually, insurance companies will cover only those Standing Charges which have been specifically declared at the time of proposal.

Gross Profit Can be Insured on One of the Following Bases:

• Turnover basis
• Output basis
• Difference basis
• Revenue basis

Premium of Fire Loss of Profit Policy:

Premium depends upon the annual gross profit, the chosen indemnity period and the selected extensions.

Exclusions to the Fire Loss of Profit Insurance Policy:

• Loss of gross profit due to a peril not covered under the Fire policy
• Difference between the value of the stock at the time of the fire and at the time of subsequent replacement
• Deterioration of undamaged stock after fire
• Cost of documentation for Fire and Loss of Profits claims
• Loss of goodwill
• Third-party claims
• Other exclusions stated on the policy
• Claim Procedure: Consequential Loss policy will pay only when liability for the incident has been accepted by the insurer under the Fire and Special Perils Insurance Policy, covering the same property.

Fire Loss of Profit Insurance Policy Calculation Formula

Reduction in Turnover x Rate of Gross Profit = Loss of Gross Profit

Add: Increased Cost of Working (ICOW) and amounts towards additional coverage

Less: Any savings during the period

A Loss of Profit insurance claim will normally be assessed at the end of the interruption period or the indemnity period, whichever is earlier. The insured is required to produce all documents necessary to establish the reduction in turnover/output/revenue.

An independent Loss Adjuster, usually a Chartered Accountant is appointed to examine the books of account and verify the insured’s claim of loss of profits and insured expenses.

Maintaining clear documentary records of all transactions for the period of indemnity helps speed up the assessment and ensures quick payment of a claim.

Choose wisely!