Coulter Hurst & Co - Insurance & Risk Management

Riot Guidance Advice

As you are no doubt aware there has been rioting in a number of cities over the last few days and we at Coulter Hurst & Co would like to reassure our clients that we are available to assist you through this difficult time.

It a condition of your insurance policy that any claim for riot and/or civil commotion to be notified to insurers with full supporting documentation within 7 days of the incident occurring. Please be prepared for the fact that not only must insurers be notified immediately of any damage but it is also equally important that you must be able to quantify and substantiate your losses with potentially both a schedule of loss and statement of truth within the 7 days.

Under the Riot Damages Act 1886 the local police authority has a legal responsibility to reimburse anyone sustaining damage to property as the result of a riot under the Riot Damages Act 1886. However any claim under the Act must ‘’be made in writing and received by the local police authority within 14 days of the alleged incident”. Hence the 7 day requirement, which is implemented specifically to prevent a recovery action being turned down by the police authority on the basis that the action is time barred. Insurers are then entitled to recover their outlay under the principle of subrogation.

Please note that the Act excludes liability for loss or damage to cars left on public highways, goods left in shops for repair and/or consequential losses e.g. Loss of Rent - although this may be covered by your insurance policy.

Hopefully this situation will be contained as soon as possible but in the meantime here is some guidance of what action to take if you are unfortunate enough to have suffered or suffer any loss. In addition to notifying us and/or insurers you should; 

1. Immediately notify the Police and obtain a Crime Reference Number of any incident relating to theft, damage caused by malicious persons or arson.
2. Provide a detailed statement to us at Coulter Hurst or direct to your insurer within 7 days of any damage caused by malicious persons, riot or civil commotion.
3. Take all practical steps to recover property.
4. Mitigate the loss to reduce the extent of the damage and any potential subsequent loss resulting from an interruption or interference with the business.
5. Where practical ensure that the Policyholder continues to comply with any policy conditions relating to security of the premises, fire detection systems or fire protection systems.
6. Take reasonable precautions to make good or remedy any defect or danger which becomes apparent.
7. Where the Policyholder’s premises are vacant please ensure the Policyholder complies with any conditions in the policy that apply as a result of the premises being vacant for more than the time period stipulated in the policy.

In addition to the potential property loss and damage if you are an employer you should consider potential exposure to your employees and to visitors to your premises.

Employee Safety Advice;

1. Consideration to be taken on an individual basis as to whether you should open for business.
2. If you do decide to open then consideration should be given in respect of your employee’s journey to and from the place of business particularly if the journey could involve passing through known trouble spots.
3. In the event of incident arising you should give consideration to the best means of securing the premises, which in the event of arson may be to evacuate the premises entirely.
4. Advise employees not to engage any intruders.
5.  Remember to brief your staff - aim to minimise opportunities for confrontation by discouraging doorstep cigarette breaks, avoid lunching out and instruct them to walk away from provocation

Please do not hesitate to contact us on our main number below if you have any queries alternatively contact Carl Boose our Claims Manager on 0151 237 7330 or email him at cb@coulterhurst.co.uk