We’ve all seen protests in the news over the last few years. While most are peaceful assemblies, sometimes they can take a turn for the worst and get out of control quickly, creating a confrontation with police and damage throughout the area. After the crowds have dissipated, what happens next? How does the mess get cleaned up?
Homeowners, dwelling and commercial property forms generally provide coverage for damage resulting from a riot or civil commotion. This includes damage or destruction ordered by governmental authority and taken at the time of a fire to prevent its spread, “if the fire would be covered under this Coverage….”
Commercial Property form CP 10 20 06 07 defines “riot or civil commotion” as including:
a) "Acts of striking employees while occupying the described premises; and
b) Looting occurring at the time and place of a riot or civil commotion.”
What’s excluded? Perils, such as war, civil war, rebellion, insurrection, revolution or nuclear damage. Terrorism is often viewed as a separate peril, as defined under the Terrorism Reinsurance Act and declared terrorism by the government.
Damage, including fire, looting, broken windows and other perils related to vandalism and malicious mischief, are common in riots that may stem from political or civil protests. Although riots or civil commotion can occur anywhere, they usually take place in the nation’s inner cities and may be triggered by a controversial event. Such events include shootings, police acts opposed by a neighborhood, or race-related protest marches. Racial friction may also trigger a riot, such as a march by the Ku Klux Klan or a civil rights group.
What else is covered? Riot damage “caused by or resulting from acts of destruction ordered by governmental authority and taken at the time of fire to prevent its spread, if the fire would be covered under this Coverage….” One such example occurred in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake when unauthorized politicians declared martial law, ordering destruction of buildings in the fire’s path. Unqualified explosive officers set off blasts that spread the flames, sending burning embers to structures not originally in the fire’s path.
Adjusters trained in Crawford Educational Service classes and KMC On Demand courses gain a thorough understanding of riot and civil commotion claims making Crawford the “go to” company for handling the aftermath of riots and civil commotion.
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