Missouri Insurance Director: Claims from Ferguson Riots Limited to Businesses

Property damage claims resulting from the rioting in Ferguson, Mo., in August are limited primarily to commercial property housing small businesses, according to the state’s chief insurance regulator.

“There are no residential losses that we know of,” Insurance Director John Huff said in a video posted on the Missouri Department of Insurance website.

Huff and other representatives from the department headed to Ferguson on Aug. 27 to assist businesses that experienced damage during the protests.

Businesses along West Florissant Avenue in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson were vandalized and looted in the aftermath of the shooting of a black teenager, Michael Brown, by a white police officer, Darren Wilson. Violent street protests went on for several days after the shooting.

Damage to insured property will be covered, the insurance department said. Those business owners who have been forced to close their operations due to the disturbances are urged to check with their agents regarding business interruption insurance.

Business owners whose property was damaged also are advised to make temporary repairs to prevent further damage, which would likely not be covered by the insurance policy.

The extent of claims costs are not yet known, according to Brent Butler, government affairs director with the Missouri Insurance Coalition/Missouri Insurance Information service.

There are no hard and fast numbers yet as claims are still being processed, Butler said. However, most property damage resulting from rioting or looting should be covered by property polices. Insurers have personnel on the ground and are working to adjust claims, he said.