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Claiming for London riot damage

Posted: 09 August 2011

Author: Sharon Coombs-Hoar

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Alan Boswell Group operates a dedicated claims department staffed by nine fully trained handlers. The Group has a delegated claims handling facility with leading insurers for its buy-to-let insurance schemes and for home insurance. To speak to a claims handler please call 01603 218099.

Following the recent disturbances in London and other major cities, we would like to assure our clients that our Claims Team are on hand to deal with any claims or queries which may arise and to support our Policyholders.

If you have been affected by the unrest, the local police authority has a legal responsibility to reimburse anyone sustaining damage to their property as the result of a riot under the Riot (Damages) Act 1886. It should be noted at this time that a statement has not been released by the police or Government to confirm if the disturbances have been classified as "riots". If they are indeed confirmed as riots, to allow Insurers making a claim under the Act (which must be received by the local police within 14 days), Policyholders are required to submit their claim within 7 days which is usually detailed in the Claims Notification Clause in the policy wording.

If you are in susceptible areas, you should carry out checks to ensure your premises are protected and pay particular attention to the ground floor and basement levels, but not forgetting windows and doors accessible from external means such as fire escape staircases, scaffolding and roofs of adjoining buildings. Also make sure exteriors of buildings are cleared of combustibles and waste materials to which the public may have access.