2011 has been a year of protest, with demonstrations across the world. In Egypt it resulted in the downfall of a government. In Boston’s Dewey Square and across the globe, the Occupy movement has made its mark. In the UK, protesters were less passive, with civilians injured and homes and businesses damaged in the riots that spread across several counties in August. As a business owner, you may be wondering where you stand when it comes to civil unrest and your commercial insurance. Massachusetts business owners should be aware of the following.

In general, businesses are covered for arson and vandalism in standard insurance policies so if violent protests erupt locally, you are likely to be at least financially protected if you have appropriate insurance coverage. This would cover damage to your property and the building itself. Should an employee be injured, you would need to have workers’ compensation insurance in place to cover their medical and other expenses. As insurance products can differ, it’s worth checking on your current policies and reading the fine print relating to riots and civil unrest to be sure you are fully protected.

Civil unrest is one of the less likely causes of a claim, but it’s important to know that you are covered in the event it ever did happen to your business. For advice on any aspect of your commercial insurance, Massachusetts insurance agents are always just a phone call away.

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