Claims for compensation

I11Claims for compensation for riot damage etc

1

Where—

a

a person's property has been damaged, destroyed or stolen in the course of a riot,

b

the property is property in respect of which a claim may be made under this subsection (see section 2(1)), and

c

the property was not insured, or was not adequately insured, for the damage, destruction or theft,

the person may claim compensation from the appropriate local policing body.

2

Where—

a

a person's property has been damaged, destroyed or stolen in the course of a riot,

b

the property is property in respect of which a claim may be made under this subsection (see section 2(2)), and

c

an insurance company has (to any extent) met a claim by the person under a policy of insurance in respect of the damage, destruction or theft,

the insurance company may claim compensation from the appropriate local policing body.

3

The appropriate local policing body is the local policing body which is responsible for the police area in which the property was situated at the time of the riot.

4

A claim under this section must be made in accordance with regulations made under section 3.

5

For the purposes of subsection (1)(c), property is not adequately insured if—

a

it is insured for an amount that is less than its value, or

b

it is insured subject to an excess.

6

In this Act, “riot” is to be construed in accordance with section 1 of the Public Order Act 1986, but does not include a riot in any of the following places—

a

a prison, young offender institution or secure training centre;

b

a hospital where persons are detained under Part 2 or 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983;

c

a removal centre, a short-term holding facility or pre-departure accommodation (within the meaning given by section 147 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999).

I22Property in respect of which claims may be made

1

A claim may be made under section 1(1) only in respect of—

a

a building,

b

property falling within subsection (3), or

c

a motor vehicle falling within any of the paragraphs of the Schedule (motor vehicles in respect of which claims may be made).

2

A claim may be made under section 1(2) only in respect of—

a

a building,

b

property falling within subsection (3), or

c

a motor vehicle falling within paragraph 4 of the Schedule (vehicle forming part of stock in trade of a business).

3

Property falls within this subsection if it is property (other than a motor vehicle) which

F1a

at the time of the riot was situated—

i

within a building,

ii

within the curtilage of a building, or

iii

on land being used for the purposes of a business carried on by the claimant, or

b

was being used, or was intended for use, in connection with a business carried on by the claimant and which, at the time of the riot, was contained in—

i

a motor vehicle falling within paragraph 1, 2 or 3 of the Schedule, or

ii

a trailer or other device originally manufactured for attachment to a motor vehicle which was attached (or intended to be attached from time to time) to a motor vehicle falling within any of those paragraphs,

and for the purposes of this subsection as it applies to a claim under section 1(2), “the claimant” means the person whose claim has been (to any extent) met by the insurance company as mentioned in section 1(2)(c).

4

The Secretary of State may by regulations—

a

amend subsection (3);

b

make provision about the meaning of terms used in that subsection.

5

In this section—

  • building” includes—

    1. a

      a permanent or semi-permanent structure in the nature of a building (including a caravan or houseboat), and

    2. b

      a building in the course of construction;

  • motor vehicle” means a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads.

I33Regulations about claims procedure

1

The Secretary of State must make regulations about the procedure for making a claim under section 1.

2

The regulations may include provision about—

a

the appropriate person to make a claim (in particular where more than one person has an interest in property that has been damaged, destroyed or stolen), and

b

the circumstances in which a single claim must cover a number of different items or types of property.

3

The regulations may also include provision about—

a

the person to whom a claim must be addressed;

b

the time period within which a claim must be made;

c

the details and evidence that must be submitted by the claimant;

d

the time period within which details and evidence must be submitted;

e

the submission of new evidence relating to a claim already made or determined.

4

Regulations under subsection (3)(b) or (3)(d) must provide that—

a

the time period within which a claim may be made ends no earlier than 42 days from the date of the riot;

b

the time period within which details and evidence must be submitted ends no earlier than 90 days from the date the claimant first made the claim.

5

Regulations under subsection (3)(c) may include a requirement that any estimates of the cost of repairs are to be prepared by contractors approved by the Secretary of State or a local policing body.