Portland-Based Brewpub Sues Insurer For COVID Losses

The popular Portland-based brewpub, Kells Irish Brewery, has filed a $2 million federal lawsuit against the Continental Western Insurance Company for allegedly refusing to pay for business losses caused by COVID-19 shutdowns.

According to the complaint filed April 20, Kells Inc. and Kells Brewpub LLC are jointly suing Continental Western for $2,050,000, after accusing the insurance company of denying coverage and willfully declining to pay benefits for COVID-related financial losses -- which they claim should have been covered by their policy.

Federal court documents suggest Kells paid ‘high premiums’ for a commercial property insurance policy with Continental, with the promise that the company would cover any unexpected losses at their Portland establishments from May 15, 2019, until May 15, 2020.

By March of 2020, after the COVID-19 outbreak reached Oregon and Governor Brown issued an executive order prohibiting restaurants from offering indoor dining or beverage services, Kells closed its doors and suspended operations to bring its businesses in accordance with the public orders and limit health risks.