The following provides an outline to your potential avenues of recourse if you have been adversely affected by the recent riots across the UK.
How do I claim?
If you have suffered damage you must make your insurers aware quickly. Should your property be uninsured, or should your insurers confirm that part or all of your claim is not covered by them you may be able to make a claim under the Riot Compensation Act 2016 (RCA).
The current definition of a riot is codified in the Public Order Act 1986. The essential points of which are:
- 12 or more persons who are present together use or threaten unlawful violence for a common purpose and the conduct of them (taken together) is such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for his personal safety, each of the persons using unlawful violence for the common purpose is guilty of riot
- It is immaterial whether or not the 12 or more use or threaten unlawful violence simultaneously
- The common purpose may be inferred from conduct
- No person of reasonable firmness need actually be, or be likely to be, present at the scene
- Riot may be committed in private as well as in public places
You can download the RCA claim form online here. Send your completed claim form via email or in the post, to the claims authority for the police force in the area where the riot took place. For contact details please visit the police forces’ website.
What is the Riot Compensation Act 2016 (RCA)?
The RCA gives victims the right to compensation following acts of criminal damage or loss sustained during a riot. In order to qualify you must be able to show the damage or losses were suffered as a result of a riot and the matter must have been reported to the Police. The Act does not provide for the loss of personal items outside of a building, consequential loss e.g. loss of trade or rent or personal injury (which can be considered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority)
Are there any limits or deadlines to make a claim under the RCA?
You have 43 days from the end date of the riot to submit a claim under the RCA. If you have submitted a claim to your insurers the 43 days only commences after your insurers have confirmed if and how your policy will respond. Claims received after this period will not be considered. Further details and supporting documents must be submitted within 91 days.
Each claim is limited to a maximum of £1m. Any payment made by your insurers will be deducted from any payment made under the RCA.
For more detailed guidance visit GOV.UK.
If you have been affected or wish to discuss this matter further please contact your Griffiths & Armour account handler directly immediately, or get in touch here.
