UK Riot And Civil Commotion Claims

This article is intended to support those that could be affected by the current events similar to the protests, riots and civil commotion in August 2024. If you have been impacted by the recent protests and suffered loss or damage you may find that you have insurance coverage that may be able to help. Some types of insurance policies may, in certain specified circumstances, provide cover for losses resulting from damage or interruption to their business following riot or civil commotion.

We hope that you have not been affected but in the unlikely event that you have been, here is some helpful information.

Please report the incident to the police to obtain a crime reference number. This will be a requirement of your policy.

Please also contact your local office and provide clear details on any damage or loss due to interruption of your business that has arisen from the rioting or civil commotion, and the claims team will happily check your policy cover and notify any potential claim to your insurers.

NOTE: your insurers must be informed of a potential claim straight away - many insurers have restrictions in place whereby any claim for damage or interruption must be notified within a short period. In some cases, this may be restricted to seven days from the date of incident.

Please note that not all policies cover riot or civil commotion. Where there is no cover in place, you or the business may be able to seek compensation from the relevant police authority.

In London this is the Lord Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime and the Common Council for the City of London police area, for any other area of the UK please refer to your local police force website which will have the relevant contact details.

Under the Riot Compensation Act 2016 (the “Act”) uninsured businesses and individuals can apply to claim for compensation from the local police authority and can do so by following the claim process in this document.

Remember:

• The amount of compensation is limited to the actual loss due to damage, destruction or theft directly caused during the riot, and cannot usually include any consequential losses.

• The Act sets a £1million compensation cap on each claim.

• The Act allows for claims in relation to motor vehicles which are not insured for riot damage but are covered by an insurance policy.

To help you we have provided a process flow chart which has been provided by the Riot Compensation guidance:

Source: riot compensation guidance (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Not all business interruption cover will provide assistance where there hasn’t been government or local authority intervention.

Do ensure that you check the relevant websites for guidance i.e. Gov.UK websites.

We must point out that any claim you do make will of course be subject to the terms and conditions of your policy. We should also stress that not all policies will provide cover.

For more information and guidance please refer to the Association of British Insurers website.

Please get in touch if you have any immediate concerns or wish to discuss your individual circumstances.

Please note that the commentary in this article is given as at August 2025 on a non-specific basis and is not legal advice and cannot be relied on as such. We do not assume any legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement and we would recommend that professional advice is sought if you require legal advice.