Every once in a while, there is good news for the insurance industry as a result of a court decision here in California. The United States District Court for the Northern District of California has recently concluded that there is no coverage for a Feng Shui consultant. In the case of Patel v. American Economy Insurance Company, the insured submitted a claim for $50,000 for the cost of a Feng Shui consultant hired before the reopening of a dental office after a fire. The insured alleged that the Feng Shui consultant had come in to change crystals and perform additional cures to help restore the location to its original condition. The insured claimed that she used the Feng Shui consultant to restore energy balance and determine the placement of furniture in dealing with forces of Qi. The court was not moved by the argument and determined that there was no coverage under the policy because the insured failed to provide evidence that the cost of the Feng Shui consultant’s services were a direct physical loss or a necessary Extra Expense.
If you want to read on, click on the court’s decision here.