GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – As protests continue, some business owners are concerned about how they’ll deal with the damage being caused by those deviating from the peaceful plans.
Riots and looting are still being seen across the country, including one instance here in Green Bay on Sunday night. Susan Bach of the Better Business Bureau says if your storefront is damaged, you likely have some kind of coverage.
“It all will depend on the policy that you have…For damage to a physical building caused by fire, riots, or vandalism it’s usually covered on the business owner’s policy,” Bach tells WTAQ News, “You may have coverage under business income insurance, often called business interruption – so if there had been any direct physical damage to the premises.”
Merchants may be wondering what steps to take in order to repair property and collect on insurance. Before filing any claim, contact your insurance agent to discuss your options. Windows are often covered under a different policy than other physical damage – and another policy might cover any items that are taken.
“Businesses in that situation will definitely want to check the policy and consult with their insurance provider,” Bach says, “There’s also something called the civil authority provision for lost income and expenses – if the area where the business is located is closed off by the authorities due to concerns of danger from civil unrest or from flooding or fire.”
The Insurance Information Institute has provided advice for business owners seeking assistance, and for those wanting to purchase additional coverage.
As for damage to personal property like your vehicle, insurance likely covers that too – even if you’re parked in the street. But it’s important to know what your policy looks like.
“Broken windshields, falling objects, vandalism – that’s typically covered under a homeowner’s or car owners comprehensive portion of their auto policy,” Bach says, “Oftentimes there’s a deductible for that, so you’ll definitely want to check again your policy.”
If you need help making repairs, BBB has resources to help you find repair businesses in your area.
- Find a glass repair or auto glass repair business near you.
- Find a roofer, plumber, or general contractor near you.
- Find a fire and water damage restoration company near you.
- Look up a specific business or search for a type of business on BBB.org.
- Contact your local BBB.
BBB has advice on choosing an insurance company to suit your needs.
