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Does my insurance cover damages due to
public unrest and strikes?

July 2017

“With all the civil unrest caused by striking workers, political
rallies and student actions such as #feesmustfall, I was
wondering whether insurance companies are required to pay
out insured persons or companies whose property is damaged
by these incidents?”

Most insurance policies have a clause that excludes the liability of the
insurance company when property is damaged due to civil unrest, war
or terrorism. A typical exemption clause in you insurance contract would
read
“This policy does not cover loss of or damage to property related to or
caused by civil commotion, labour disturbances, riot, strike, lockout or
public disorder or any act or activity which is calculated or directed to
bring about any of the aforegoing.”
Given that your insurance policy probably excludes liability for this
particular risk, it is important to add SASRIA cover to your short-term
insurance policy to cover the eventuality of this risk. SASRIA stands for
South African Special Risks Insurance Association and is a state-owned
short-term insurance company, established in the late 1970’s following
the increase of political unrest in South Africa after the 1976 uprisings.
SASRIA provides cover for special risks other insurance companies do
not cover like riots, strikes, terrorism, civil commotion and public disorder
to corporate, commercial and individual policyholders. SASRIA is the only
insurer in South Africa that provides cover for damage caused during
these kinds of incidents.
Litigation SASRIA cover includes amongst others:

Additional cover for business interruption;
•
•
Insurance cover against material damage, which includes
• Cover for damage to vehicles;
anything that isn’t covered by other categories.
SASRIA does not however do business directly with the public, and
provides added cover to an existing short-term insurance policy. However,
most insurance companies add SASRIA cover to their policies for a very
low additional fee.
In order to claim the damages through SASRIA, the incident that caused

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