Rioting Plus COVID-19 Equals Complex Business Interruption Claims

After the darkest nights, the sun rises again. For the past three mornings, business owners woke up to shattered glass, ransacked stores, and stolen property. Some even saw their businesses destroyed by fire.

Anger over George Floyd’s death in police custody sent shockwaves across a nation already battered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The officer involved in Floyd’s death has been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Floyd’s death has led to a combination of protests and riots as many in the country have taken to the streets to express their frustration over the death of another African American man in police custody.

The damage affected wealthy business districts and lower socioeconomic neighborhoods. It affected small businesses, and large corporate chains. It affected cities including Philadelphia, New York, Chicago and Minneapolis, where Floyd’s death occurred.

In response, government officials shut down streets, enacted curfews, and called in the National Guard. Meanwhile Target, CVS, Apple, Walmart and others closed stores or reduced their hours.

What’s Next? Well, technically … insurance claims.