Leicester based Insurance Broker Brett & Randall is offering guidance to local businesses about their insurance covers following the outbreak of riots, which have affected London, Leicester and other major cities in the UK.

The leading local Broker is advising businesses to act now and inform insurers if they feel they may have a claim arising from these disturbances.

Chris Hutchins, a Director at Brett & Randall, has pointed out that whilst the local police authority has a legal responsibility to reimburse persons who sustain damage to property as a result of a riot as defined under the Riot Damages Act 1886, such claims must be made in writing and received by the police authority within 14 days of the alleged incident.  

He said: "It is likely that Insurers will include a clause requiring that they are notified within seven days of the date of any incident, which may result in a claim for riot and/or civil commotion. This is to prevent a recovery action being declined by the police authority on the basis that it is time barred."

Brett & Randall are advising local businesses to:

• Renew the security of your premises to ensure that you are adequately protected paying particular attention to ground and basement level, but not forgetting windows, emergency escape doors, fire escapes scaffolding and roofs of adjoining buildings

• Ensure that the exteriors of buildings are cleared of any combustible waste products that may be assessable to the public and could be used to start a fire

• Review your business continuity planning so you are prepared in the event of building damage and for emergency repairs, boarding up and cleaning up operations