Riot damages act 1886

The Riot Damages Act 1886 states that the local police authority has a legal responsibility to reinburse any persons who sustained damage to property as a result of riot.  The wording of the statute is explicit in that any claim under the Act must ‘’be made in writing and received by the local police authority within 14 days of the alleged incident”  so we can assume insurers will impose a clause on all claims being notified to them within 7 -10 days of the incident occurring.

If an insurer misses the 14 day deadline then there is a chance of your claim being declined, so we advise contacting your insurance broker immediately who will be able to assist you.  Alistair Steward director of QuestGates loss adjusters said: “We would anticipate that in the face of central government cuts that any police authority would look to resist applications for extension as the time limits here provide a straightforward loophole for them to use to keep payments to a minimum.  We strongly urge insurers to alert their policyholders to the need for immediate action when notifying claims relating to the recent riots.”

ECS can provide its clients with their own loss adjuster who will provide a detailed report of damage including the cost of repairs, ask your insurance broker if they can offer you something similar.

For more information please visit our earlier post http://bit.ly/qTDREc or contact ECS Insurance Brokers on 0114 280 2830

Biba gives advice to those effected by the riots

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.  Commercial insurance policies will normally cover businesses for damage to their premises, including the financial loss due to interruption to their 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.”