What does 'business interruption' (business income) insurance cover?

Business interruption (business income) insurance covers the income a business loses, and certain continuing expenses it must still pay (such as rent or some payroll), when it has to suspend or curtail operations because of a covered physical loss to its property — for example, a fire that forces a temporary closure. It is designed to keep the business financially whole during the restoration period until it can resume normal operations. It does not cover the physical damage itself (that is property coverage) or losses from causes that are not covered perils. Understanding business interruption coverage as income protection during a covered shutdown is standard commercial content.