Fires and explosions are the most common causes of business interruption, accounting for 59% of business interruption claims globally.  Every policy can be different, but business interruption insurance typically covers interruptions from fires or theft. Government shutdowns are sometimes covered, but only if resulting from physical property damage.  Not typically covered are interruptions from floods, earthquakes, volcanoes, terrorism, and infectious diseases. However, you can take out additional insurance for some of these risks, particularly flood insurance.  Also of note, business interruption insurance typically doesn’t cover partial closures or lost profits stemming from government orders that limit social or economic activity. Business interruption policies do exist that can apply to losses from government actions taken during a pandemic. However, because they are custom-designed, high-cost, and uncommon.