Is riot related damages covered by my insurance policy?

As protests have turned into riots, vehicles, homes and businesses have been damaged or looted. If your home, car or business has been damaged due to violence by looters, protesters or even the police, you may be wondering if the damage is covered by your insurance. 

Luckily, in most cases, damage caused by rioting is usually covered, but it can depend on the type of policy you have. Let’s have a quick look at what type of riot related damage is covered by a standard policy.

Auto Insurance and Riot Damage

When it comes to your vehicle, damage by rioters or vandalism is covered, but only if you are carrying comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive is not a required insurance like liability so if you do not have comprehensive you will be on the hook for the cost to repair your vehicle. 

Comprehensive coverage will pay for damage that is caused by anything other than a car accident. This includes things such as:

• Theft
• Vandalism, fire, riots, and explosions
• Windshield and glass damage 
• Falling trees/limbs and other falling objects such as asteroids
• Storms, hail, wind, floods, lightning, and earthquakes
• Accidents with animals such as hitting a deer

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), roughly 25 percent of drivers out on the road are not carrying comprehensive coverage on their vehicle and for those drivers, the cost to repair riot damage will be coming out of their own pocket. 

There are times when it makes sense to drop comprehensive coverage. If you are driving an older car that you would replace instead of repair if you were in an accident, it probably doesn’t make sense to carry comprehensive. If you have a loan on your vehicle, your lender will require that you carry comprehensive to protect their investment. 

Home Insurance and Riot Damage

The majority of standard homeowner policies will offer protection for damage caused by rioting. It can vary by policy, but most policies offer coverage for damage from fires, explosions, vandalism or malicious mischief that occurs during rioting.

The policy will pay for both damage to your home structure as well as your belongings up to your coverage levels. 

If your home is so damaged that it is inhabitable while being repaired, your homeowner insurance policy may help cover some of the additional costs. Most homeowner policies offer additional living expenses coverage which will help pay hotel bills, restaurant tabs and any other expenses you have while the work on your home is being completed.

Always keep an up to date home inventory so you can document the items that were damaged or destroyed. While this can be a tedious chore, there are plenty of apps available that make the process quick and easy. Take photos and document the purchase date and price. 

Business Insurance and Riot Damage

In many cities where rioting and protesting is occurring, small businesses are bearing the brunt of the damage. Several businesses in Minneapolis have been burned to the ground and countless others have suffered severe damage.

Small business insurance will generally cover damage that is caused by fires (accidental or arson), vandalism and damage from rioting or other civil violence. While coverage can vary by policy, in most cases it will cover damage to windows, doors, light fixtures as well as contents of the business. This includes furniture, office supplies, machinery, computers, and other equipment. The majority of policies will also cover the cost of boarding up windows and securing the business.

While insurance companies are still in negotiations with policyholders and lawmakers regarding business interruption coverage due to Covid, most policies should cover lost income due to closures related to riots and protests. 

Tips for Filing Insurance Claims Related to Rioting

The following tips are from the American Property Casualty Insurance Association:

• Always report your claim promptly: This gets the claim process started and alerts your insurer to the fact you have a claim. 

• Do Your Best to Prevent Further Damage: This is especially true with weather and riot related claims. If you can safely make temporary repairs or board up broken windows you should do so as soon as safely possible. Do not start permanent repair work until an insurance adjuster has inspected your damage. 

• Save Your Receipts: Always save your receipts for any repairs you have made to prevent further damage as well as receipts related to expenses if you can no longer live in your home. Hotel bills and restaurant costs may be covered so save all receipts. 

• Document the Damage: With any insurance claim it is necessary to document the damage to your home, vehicle or business. Take photos and video of the damage from as many angles as safely possible.  Attach the photos documentation with claims reports.

• Observe Social Distancing: Many insurance companies have changed the claims process since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a good chance most of your claim will be handled virtually via video chat. However, serious claims (your business was burned down) will most likely still be handled in person.