California Justices Take French Laundry Covid-19 Coverage Case

California’s highest court will decide whether state law entitles The French Laundry restaurant and its sister property, Bouchon Bistro, to insurance coverage for business disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The justices agreed to take up the certified question, referred to them by the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, during their weekly meeting on Wednesday.

The restaurants are owned by Thomas Keller, who also owns New York’s Per Se. The Michelin three star-rated French Laundry sued for declaratory judgment that its insurance policy provides coverage for its losses arising from government-ordered closures from the pandemic.

Insurer Hartford ...