By Sabela Ojea 



  The U.K.'s Financial Conduct Authority said Monday that it has identified a sample of 17 policy wordings on business interruptions so the courts can decide which apply to the coronavirus pandemic amid disputes between policyholders and insurers. 


  The regulator said it has asked eight insurers, including Hiscox Ltd, RSA Insurance Group PLC, and Zurich Insurance Group AG to participate in the High Court test case. They have all signed a framework agreement with the FCA. 


  Hiscox and RSA said they welcome the FCA procedure. RSA highlighted the FCA's words on most business-interruptions claims being expected to be ineligible in relation to the effects of the pandemic. 


  "The small to medium enterprises insurance policies are focused on property damage (and only have basic cover for BI as a consequence of property damage) so, at least in the majority of cases, insurers are not obliged to pay out in relation to the coronavirus pandemic. This case is focused on the remainder of policies that could be argued to include cover," the FCA said. 


  A court hearing is expected in the latter half of July. The FCA will put forward arguments on behalf of policyholders in the public interest. 


  Write to Sabela Ojea at sabela.ojea@wsj.com; @sabelaojeaguix