The insurer claims, controversially, that agents will not get pay-outs because Government did not 'mandate' the closure of branches.

Thousands of agents who insured with Hiscox are awaiting the Supreme Court's judgement, which will be handed down on Friday 15th January at 9.45am.

The Financial Conduct Authority believes that in a small minority of cases insurers should have paid out and wants clauses examined.

Legal expert Susan Hopcroft explains how to read your policy and work out if it's worth challenging the insurer's decision to turn your claim down – and what to do next.

Gallagher, which is the industry-approved broker for Hiscox insurance, says it is doing everything possible to aid affected estate agency businesses.

As The Negotiator highlighted yesterday, many estate agents have found out that their cover doesn't include the mother of all business interruption events - Coronavirus.

Estate agent Mark Rath says he assumed his policy would help recoup revenues lost during the Coronavirus downturn, but has been bitterly disappointed to discover his insurer Hiscox has rejected his claim.