Optima Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd.

Carrying our mission forward to present the above Loss of Profit insurance (as it is normally called) in the simplest form, we give you a fair idea of some of the important terms being frequently used in this insurance.

Property Damage Proviso

This provides that there should be a property insurance policy in force and also the property damage insurer have paid or at least admitted liability for the said property damage. The reasons for the introduction of this provision are not far to seek. Firstly, it is not difficult to understand that instead of incorporating the terms or warranties related to Property damage insurance in consequential loss policy; it is much better to have this proviso for fulfillment of the same terms and conditions. Secondly, it is more convenient to have one investigation done for the cause of damage rather than have two separate ones which may lead to

complexities and last but not the least, it is significant for consequential loss insurers to know monies would be available from property damage insurers to enable the insured to speedily reinstate the property thus minimizing the interruption of business.

Adjustment Clause

This makes the consequential loss policy calculate the real indemnity in the truest sense. This also silences the critics of insurance policies that insurers are not rising to the occasion for industry and trade. It is done by incorporating the following wordings. The wordings are explained at length with suitable example.

(1) The trend of the business

In case the business in question was showing a rising turnover just prior to the fire, the insured should be duly compensated for that trend. Vice-Versa, in case the trend was declining, the true indemnity theory should account for that as well. While calculating the rate of gross profit, it would be therefore essential to accordingly make adjustments. An illustration to this effect would clarify the situation:

It would be therefore be seen that in an upward trend there is an under insurance and in a down ward trend, there is an over insurance. Therefore, care should be taken in selecting and evaluating the sum insured depending upon the correct trend as far as possible.

(2) Variations and Special Circumstances

If no definite trend is available from the books of accounts or some positive trend which has recently happened, then there workings enable the insurer to accordingly adjust for such a trend.

For example, if a firm has just completed installation of additional improved machinery, and it can be shown that, but for the fire, substantially increased turnover would have resulted, and that stocks of raw materials would have been available, and that sale of increased quantity of finished goods could have been achieved then, on the assumption of an adequate insurance to cover the greatly enhanced gross profit anticipated, the company will indemnity the insured accordingly, by operating the adjustment clause to allow for the variation from pre fire trading.

We now give below the steps that are prescribed for calculating the amount payable for a loss in the under mentioned chronological sequence:

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As in the past in our knowledge series, we shall endeavor to present the above insurance in the simplest possible way with a view to elicit interest and also to exemplify its importance.

As in the past in our knowledge series, we shall endeavor to present the above insurance in the simplest possible way with a view to elicit interest and also to exemplify its importance.

When a fire occurs at premises used for the purpose of conducting a business, whether industrial, mercantile or Professional, the owner of the business will usually be insured against damage to his property by fire etc and will in due course be able to recover his material loss. With the proceeds of his claim he can, in time, replace his lost or damaged property and resume his business but, until this can be done, the profits which he was previously earning will have ceased, wholly or in part.

In addition, there will almost certainly be fixed expenses arising from the business e.q. salaries, rent, municipal taxes, which be will have to continue to meet, even if his profits have entirely vanished.

Faced with the situation, he may find means to reduce or even eliminate the loss of his profits but this will call for expenditure perhaps substantial – which he may not have the funds to meet. It is to meet this situation that loss of profits insurance have been devised and subject to a suitable type of policy and an adequate sum insured, it affords an insured complete protection against the reduction or cessation of profits following a fire and place him in the same position as though the damage had not occurred.

In these circumstances, a loss of profit insurance should appeal to any businessman as an essential complement to Fire Insurance.

We shall proceed ahead to give a brief idea of important definitions and ingredients which needs to be understood before obtaining a policy:

a) Net Profit:

The net trading profit resulting from the business of the insured at the premises. This does not include all capital receipts and accretion. Provisioning for all fixed charges shall be made including depreciation but shall not include taxation chargeable on profits.

b) Standing Charges:

These are the fixed expenses whi ch wi l l never theless continue to accrue to the insured despite the cessation of business e.q. Rent, Municipal taxes, fixed interest on capital, Advertising etc

c) Indemnity Period:

The period commences when the damage by fire occurs, and ends when the business ceases to be affected there by, subject to the maximum period specified in the policy.

d) Turnover:

The money paid or payable to the insured for goods sold & delivered and for services rendered in course of the business at the premises.

e) Rate of Gross Profit:

The Gross Profit explained above divided by turnover during the financial year immediately before the date of the damage.

f) Annual Turnover:

The turnover during the twelve months immediately before the date of the damage.

g) Standard Turn Over:

The turn over during that period in the twelve months immediately before the date of the loss which corresponds with the Indemnity period. This st mean that if a fire occurs on 1 January and the business is affected during the following three months, January to March, then in ascertaining the shortage in turn over, the figures for those months are compared with January to March in the preceeding year. This is fairness personified especially in case of seasonal trades.

Measure of Indemnity:

With the aid of the above stated definition, it would now be possible to state in simple terms how the insured would be compensated in the event of a loss. The amount payable shall be under two heads, which are described as below:

(I) Reduction In Turn Over:

It shall be he sum produced by applying the rate of gross profit to the amount by which the turn over during the indemnity period shall, in consequence of the damage, fall short of the Standard Turnover.

(II) Increase In Cost of waking:

It shall comprise the additional expend it urenecessarily and reasonably incurred for the sole purpose of diminishing the reduction in turnover but the amount shall not exceed the sum produced by applying the rate of gross profit to the amount of reduction there by avoided. We shall go ahead by giving you a very simple accounting applicability of this policy and make you clearly understand how it fully compensates an insured. By this example, you will able to appreciate that all the aspects are duly taken care of by insurers.

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