Metallica sues insurer over losses from concert postponements

One of the more litigious bands in heavy metal history is ready to go back to the courtroom to compel insurance company Lloyd's of London to cover losses sustained due to COVID-19 pandemic-related concert cancellations in 2020.

Metallica is claiming breach of contract in a lawsuit brought forward this week in Los Angeles Superior Court, saying Lloyd's of London failed to compensate the band after it had to postpone six South American concerts in 2020.

NBC Los Angeles reports the thrash metal icons are suing for unspecified damages along with a declaration of the rights and obligations of the parties.

Metallic was due to begin the short South American tour in April 2020 in Santiago, Chile, but the concerts were postponed due to pandemic-related travel and gathering restrictions.

The suit claims that the band purchased a "cancellation, abandonment and non-appearance insurance" policy from Lloyd's of London. When the dates were cancelled, Metallica made a claim to its insurer, but to no avail.

Lloyd's of London allegedly "denied any coverage obligation whatsoever based on an unreasonably restrictive interpretation of the policy," citing a communicable disease exclusion.

After a lengthy layoff, and perhaps sessions for a new album, Metallica is due back onstage this fall to play six sets at three major U.S. hard rock festivals, Louder Than Life, Aftershock and Welcome to Rockville. The shows will be Metallica's first since early-September of 2019.