Whilst the majority of event cancellation and contingency insurance policies will contain some kind of Communicable Disease exclusion, the option has always been available to write this cover back into the policy for an additional premium - *subject to underwriter acceptance.

Under the EventCover wordings, the exclusion reads as follows:

"This policy does not cover any loss directly or indirectly arising out of, contributed to by, or resulting from: any communicable disease or the fear or threat thereof, unless the venue is closed by or under the order of any government or public or local authority as a sole and direct result of a communicable disease which originates and manifests itself within the confines of the venue".

Communicable Disease is also often defined as "any disease capable of being transmitted from an infected person or species to a susceptible host, either directly or indirectly".

Following the recent Covid-19 outbreak, Lloyd's of London has taken the decision to apply the following to ALL classes of business:

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, this policy excludes losses:

  I.  directly or indirectly arising from any fear or threat (whether actual or perceived) of Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) or any mutant variation thereof

II.  directly or indirectly caused by, resulting from in connection with any action taken in controlling, preventing, suppressing or in any way relating to any outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) or any mutant variation thereof

III.  directly or indirectly caused by the imposition of quarantine or restriction in movement of people or animals by any national or international body or agency pertaining to any outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) or any mutant variation thereof

  IV.  directly or indirectly caused by any travel advisory or warning being issued by a national or international body or agency pertaining to the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) or any mutant variation thereof and

V.  infection or quarantine of any Insured Person(s) due to actual or suspected Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) or any mutant variation thereof and

in respect of II. to V. any fear or threat thereof (whether actual or perceived)

If we allege that by reason of this exclusion, any loss not covered by this insurance the burden of proving contrary shall be upon you.

All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

If there are any specific questions or queries regarding the above, do not hesitate to contact Stu at EventCover.

As the world's longest reigning female monarch and the only one that most Kiwis would have known in their lifetime, what will happen when the Queen passes away?

Preparations are already underway as many New Zealanders will want to pay their respects to the Queen.

New Zealand's official commemorations will only be triggered once the news is confirmed by Buckingham Palace.

Upon her death, the first in line to the throne will immediately succeed the Queen, and at this point, that means Prince Charles will become King Charles.

When it comes to public tributes for the monarch, it's important New Zealanders get an opportunity to pay their respects and although not set in stone, they could include the following:

• lowering flags to half-mast from the day of death until after the State Memorial Service
• a ceremony to proclaim the accession of the new King
• acknowledging the death of the Queen in Parliament
• a State Memorial Service
• a 21-gun salute
• the opening of a condolence book

But commemorations won't be limited to what the Government decides to do, with local bodies and other organisations choosing to mark the Queen's death "in their own way".

However what does this mean for New Zealand events that are scheduled to take place during this period and may be impacted by her death?

Standard event cancellation cover would provide indemnity should the event be cancelled, abandoned, postponed, interrupted, curtailed or relocated as a sole and direct result of "national mourning" following the death of a member of the Royal Family or Head of State however this is usually for those below the age of 65 years.  With the Queen recently celebrating her 92nd birthday, her death would therefore be excluded from the policy.

Cover will therefore need to be extended and the policy endorsed to include this eventuality; and for a small premium increase, event managers can be confident that all bases are covered and their insurance is robust enough to cover this event.

The way the Queen is going, I don't think we have any worries for a number of years!