Householders and business owners whose property has been damaged in the riots of the last few days have been reassured they should be covered by their insurance.

But a Shropshire insurance broker has warned it is too early to assess the full cost of the violence so far, and insurers are expecting significant losses of tens of millions of pounds.

Dave Williams, from Henshalls in Newport and Shrewsbury, said: "Home insurance policies should cover fire and looting, and the cost of emergency accommodation for anyone forced out of their homes.

"Commercial insurance policies have similar cover, and they may also compensate a business if their trade has been interrupted, but every case is different and those affected should contact their insurance provider as urgently as possible."

He said some policies also covered businesses that were not damaged, but whose trade was affected by the aftermath.

"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."

The Federation of Small Businesses has also called on the UK tax authority to show leniency to shopkeepers affected.

"They have called on HM Revenue and Customs to be lenient with the businesses who have been cleaned out by thieves, or burnt out and lost all their records.

"The FSB wants HMRC to be patient until things are brought under control and business are able to claim insurance and open their doors in safety."

Dave said business owners who maybe now were faced with returning early from their holidays to deal with the damage were unlikely to have any of their travel costs covered by their travel insurance, unless they had been advised by police to return.

"This is an incredibly stressful time for everyone caught up in the riots, and it's important that anyone affected contacts their insurers immediately in order to get the help they need as soon as possible."