England Riots: Help For those Whose Homes And Businesses Have Been Affected

With the run of riots across London and elsewhere in the UK many homes and businesses have been affected and will need help, which from a financial perspective most will be able to get from their home insurance or business insurance policies.

With the violence and rioting which started in Totenham having spread rapidly across many parts of London and to other parts of the UK, many people have been horrendously affected.

Some have lost their homes to fire or suffered other damage and been hit by looting. And it’s not just homes, many have had their cars destroyed too.

Businesses have also been hit, including the Reeves furniture store in Croydon and another furniture store in Tottenham, as well as numerous small businesses lining the streets of the areas targeted.

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) is advising those people unfortunate enough to be affected by the recent riots around the UK to speak to their insurance broker as soon as possible so they can assist with their loss.

Most home insurance should cover people for fire, looting or damage and many policies will also cover people for alternative accommodation costs if they cannot stay in their home.

If your business has been hit, commercial insurance policies will normally cover for damage to your premises, including the financial loss due to interruption to your business as a result.  Some policies will also cover those businesses which are not damaged, but whose trade is affected by the aftermath.

Graeme Trudgill, BIBA’s Head of Corporate Affairs, said: “We want to do everything we can to help those affected.  It is important for people to contact their insurance broker to arrange for immediate help and support and to make the affected property as secure as possible.”

Steve Foulsham, BIBA’s Technical Services Manager, commented: “The majority of insurance providers operate a 24 hour claims line and can help people arrange for emergency repairs and the damage to be inspected as quickly as possible.”

As Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance says: “It’s hard to imagine a more upsetting situation than seeing your car or home destroyed in the current scenes of disturbance.  For AA customers, riot and civil commotion are risks included in all home insurance policies while the accidental damage section of your comprehensive car insurance policy will cover your car if it is damaged or written off during the rioting.

“At a time when you’re facing such distressing situation, at least the financial loss will be covered even if insurance doesn’t cover the inconvenience and grief of seeing your property destroyed.”

MoneyHighStreet comments: “With such levels of violence and destruction it is difficult to comprehend the trauma that innocent victims are suffering. Dealing with the financial loss is of course only one part of the equation. As BIBA advises though speaking to your insurer or insurance broker as soon as possible does need to be done so that they can start helping with this side of your loss.

“If you are not insured you may be able to get help from charities and local authorities, particularly if you have been forced out of your home.”