Whilst the riots of 2011 seem a long time ago and now not particularly newsworthy, this is certainly still in the minds of those individuals and businesses that were at the receiving end of the commotion. The Association of British Insurers has today published recovery guidance notes for property owners and businesses and has been constructed in a very informative way that will soften the impact of any future issues. The scenes that gripped many parts of England in August 2011 showed, riots can significantly disrupt lives. Riots are relatively rare, but it is vital that as a homeowner or business owner you know what options are open to help you get back on your feet as quickly as possible should you be unfortunate enough to be affected by a riot. Insurance companies played a crucial role in helping people recover and paid out over £195 million to customers. The riots also highlighted the importance of a 100 year old piece of legislation, the “Riot (Damages) Act” in providing compensation to those affected. There is no doubt that this legislation needs to be updated for the current era, it plays a vital role in ensuring that cover for damage caused by rioting continues to remain a standard part of cheap property insurance, meaning it has remained both widely available and competitively priced for both personal and business customers. The Act means there are different avenues through which homeowners and businesses can claim compensation, depending on the level of insurance cover they purchased. The insurance industry has been working closely with Police and Government to ensure that what can often be a long and complex process runs as efficiently as possible to assist victims to get the support they need. The Act only applies to a riot and does NOT apply to damage caused by civil commotion political disturbances and strikes, which are all covered as standard under most household and cheap business insurance policies. The guide explains how your insurer will respond in an emergency rioting situation and the level of support you can expect from your insurer in the days and weeks following a riot. It also outlines the options available for compensation from the police should your home or business be uninsured or not have enough insurance to cover fully the losses caused by riot, such as an empty property insurance.

Insurance companies will do absolutely everything they can to assist customers as quickly as they can, bearing the scale and nature of the riots and its continuing impact on access to the riot-affected area. If you believe that your business or home has been damaged because of a riot it is important that you firstly consider your safety then report any crime immediately to the police. Call 999 if you feel that you are in immediate danger and it may be necessary to evacuate your property or business premises immediately. It is important to stay informed of latest developments by listening to local TV and Radio or police information lines.