At Sequoia we stand in solidarity against racism, violence and oppression of all kinds. Like so many across our country, we may not have known George Floyd personally, but his death at the hands of a police officer on May 25, 2020 has rightfully sparked outrage and long-overdue conversations at home, in the workplace and in our governments.

In the aftermath of this tragedy, demonstrations have drawn thousands in cities across the country and abroad, demanding local, state and federal officials bring an end to racial injustice. Most protests have been peaceful, though some continue to be marred by acts of vandalism and violence. Below are several considerations to help you protect your employees and your business during these turbulent times.

Insurance Perspective

The insurance community plays a vital role in assisting and addressing concerns surrounding civil unrest. In general, property damage caused by rioting, civil commotion and vandalism is covered under both standard business and homeowner’s insurance policies. Here is an overview of the coverages that may be involved in claims resulting from these exposures:

  1. Damage to Vehicles
  2. Property Damage to your Home
  3. Property Damage to your Business
  4. Additional Living Expenses
  5. Loss of Income

Click here to learn more about identifying insurance coverage for riots, civil commotion and vandalism. Contact your Sequoia Risk Advisor, or connect with them directly in HRX, to discuss any questions related to this coverage under your program.

Risk Management Perspective

Emergency planning tends to focus around events that while not predictable, are somewhat familiar to us—power outages, weather events, fires, and more recently, rioting, civil unrest and vandalism. As a responsible business, it’s prudent to protect your employees and your clients during these events, but you also need to be able to continue your regular business activities.

Chubb Risk and Engineering Services offers the following guidance to mitigate the exposures to your people, your business and your facilities created by riots, civil commotion and vandalism. You may wish to consider incorporating some, if not all, of these tips into your risk control strategy and business contingency plan.

Additional Resources

Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, medical or tax advice. It provides general information and is not intended to encompass all compliance and legal obligations that may be applicable. This information and any questions as to your specific circumstances should be reviewed with your respective legal counsel and/or tax advisor as we do not provide legal or tax advice. Please note that this information may be subject to change based on legislative changes. © 2020 Sequoia Benefits & Insurance Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Mary Beth Downs – Mary Beth Downs is a Senior Risk Advisor for Sequoia, providing property and casualty consulting services to our clients helping them protect assets, scale in the marketplace, and manage risk. As a Bay Area resident for the past 27 years, she enjoys volunteering in her local community and traveling within the state as much as possible.