Is Riot Damage Covered In Motor Insurance

Recently, a riot broke out in Nagpur, resulting in extensive property damage, which includes charred vehicles and vandalized shops. As the violence happened, the owners of the vehicles were concerned whether there was riot insurance or not, according to a recent media report. 

Standard fire insurance policies mostly cover damages caused by riots, and also that leading to fire. Such coverage comes under the ambit of “Riot, Strike, and Malicious Damage” (RSMD) kind of danger. For example, Tata AIG’s standard fire insurance policy includes protection against losses or destruction caused by violent activities such as strikes, riots, or terrorism. 

In the same manner, the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India’s (Irdai) standard fire and special perils policy wording indicates coverage for loss or visible physical damage directly caused to the insured property by external violent means during riots or strikes. 

Steps To Follow To File A Claim

To ensure a smooth claims process for riot-induced fire damage, it is important to follow proper procedures and maintain accurate documentation.

1. File A Police Complaint: You could report the incident to the police right away and try to get a copy of the complaint. 

2. Must Complete A Spot Panchnama: You need to conduct a spot panchnama, or an on-site investigation report, and complete it, as this serves as important evidence for your claim. 

3. Get Together All Important Evidence: You must get together all necessary proof, such as news articles, photos, or videos, that can support your claim. 

The insurance company will carry forward its own investigation to substantiate the legitimacy of the claim. This process includes inspecting the damaged property and assessing the extent of the damage. 

Things To Remember: 

Policy Terms: You must review your fire insurance policy to get an understanding of specific terms, conditions, and exclusions linked to riot-induced damages.

Documentation: It is important to conduct accurate and thorough documentation that would support your claim and expedite the settlement process. 

You cannot predict when a riot breaks out. Hence, it’s important to keep your car covered against the risk of damage so that you are adequately compensated for your losses. Also, it’s important to buy a comprehensive car insurance policy to cover your car against riot damage. 

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