Just like a sales contract, "what does the contract say". That is going to be what dictates how things are handled and what is covered. Just like Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate said, "Read the fine print in your insurance policy." Can't speak for anyone as I do not know what their policy covers and does not cover.

Read the fine print in your Insurance Policy.   

Damage caused by Riots (Civil Commotion) may or may NOT be covered.

Given the Insurance Companies response and behavior in recent disasters, including Maui, the Los Angeles Fires, and Hurricane Helene in the South, it isn't hard to predict that it will be difficult to recover any damages.

There is insurance perhaps it has to be specific for coverage? Sad state of affairs when honest people can't afford to take normal risks to grow

There's fire insurance, liability insurance, insurance on the contents, and all kinds of add-ons, exceptions and such. So you got to have comprehensive coverage if you have a business. If you lease your building, the landlord probably carries the fire insurance but doesn't insure any of your contents or liability in the event that there's a slip and fall or somebody tries to blow a hole through your door and you shoot them like the animal that they are. Moxie wrote that.So you usually have to carry 1 million/2 million with the landlord named as loss payee in case those thugs blow a hole in his roof and he has to replace it.

Most business owners in LA insure their stores with Glocks and 12 Gauges.
At least during the RK riots of the 1990's they did...rooftop defenders.
"Go on, I dare ya!"

I saw that and it is horrific, Leanne! Hope he had a replacement cost amount in his insurance policy due to loss/theft. Of course, suing the so-called leaders in the city, where they did nothing to curtail the rioting and looting or claimed the protests were peaceful, might get some traction.

Leanne Smith 

They are NOT peaceful protestors, they are criminals. I am so sorry for her loss. I myself sell mostly dirt and I have not seen any be insured. 

Insurance coverage can be very tricky and full replacement coverage on its like jewelry can be expensive and tricky to collect. In the situation you described the cost may put the jeweler out of business. 

A 100% looting of his store is peaceful protest? 

I don't know but, I surely do hope so, Leanne. I'm shocked that the city/state leaders (and even the media) were still calling these 'protests' when they were showing news feeds with destruction going on in the background. I'm sorry, I call that rioting, not protesting (for which we have EVERY right to do). 

Great question! It’s one of those things that makes you wonder—does insurance cover the chaos when mobs decide to turn a peaceful city into their personal playground? The short answer: it depends, but in most cases, yes, commercial insurance can cover damages and theft caused by riots and looting.

But before I begin my speech from the platform, let me also put in a little disclaimer here. I am not an expert in or on matters of insurance, and one should always seek advice from their insurance agent, insurance adjuster, and/or attorney.

Now, before you start imagining your local jewelry store turning into a scene from “Mad Max,” let’s break it down. When riots happen, and businesses get robbed or their windows shattered, insurance policies typically kick in under a coverage called “riot and civil commotion” or “theft and vandalism,” depending on what’s specifically included in the policy. Think of it as an insurance safety net designed for these very “unwelcome” surprises.

But here’s the catch—insurance isn’t a blank check. Policies often have specific exclusions, especially around acts of terrorism or civil unrest, which could sometimes be excluded altogether or require a special rider (that’s insurance speak for “extra coverage”). It’s a bit like buying a gym membership and then finding out it doesn’t cover personal training sessions—you have to pay extra for the good stuff.

And, let’s not forget, each policy is unique. Some insurance companies might be more generous than others, and the devil is in the details—like whether the looting was considered “covered” because it was during a riot, or if your policy has a special clause that limits or excludes coverage for civil disturbances. 

In the case of the jewelry store owner you mentioned—losing everything in a riot and theft? Yeah, that’s a huge blow, and if his policy had riot and theft coverage, he should be able to file a claim to recover at least some of his losses. But hey, it’s not always smooth sailing—sometimes, claims get contested, or the payout isn’t enough to cover the full loss. 

So, in a nutshell: yes, insurance can cover damages from riots and looting, but it’s not a free pass. It’s always worth reviewing your policy carefully, or chatting with your insurance agent to see what’s included—because the last thing you want is to be the person watching their business burn while their insurance company says, “Sorry, that’s not covered.”

Stay safe out there, and maybe keep a little extra cash “under your mattress”—just in case!

It depends on what the fine print in the policy "reads".  I say reads, because coverage does not always equate to payment with insurance companies. That keeps attorneys in business ... it is called litigation to fight for what we paid for.  

Insurance companies are scum, and they will do what it takes to keep the money flowing in one direction.

Good morning, Leanne... what's covered under a policy could vary depending on what the insured is paying for. This is certainly a good wake-up call for homeowners and business owners to double-check their insurance policies..

in 2020 when riots broke out in Houston (an other areas) my law enforcement family members were told to stand down on the first day while bricks were thrown at them. Their family members were told not to let anyone know their family members were with the police force. 

You know who (G.S) paid to have truckloads of bricks brought in so the paid thugs could throw them. Let's face it, the thugs didn't drive to construction sites, gather bricks, and take them to the riots. 

So the rioters and thugs are hurting the very people who have nothing to do with what they're protesting. 

That's a good question. So unfortunate for someone to be ruined by the riots. Even if insurance were to cover damage, they probably wouldn't cover the days and weeks of lost revenue. 

Depends on how the insurance policy is written. 

We will all pay for the damages caused by the protesters.