Personal Liability Insurance: What Happens When Someone Gets Hurt on Your Property

Has the recent news stories made you wonder:  “Am I protected if a riot or protest damages my home or car?”
Do you know whether your insurance policy would cover damage caused by civil unrest, looting, or vandalism?
These are legitimate concerns—especially during times of social or political tension.
In this article, we’ll break down exactly  what types of riot-related damage are typically covered by your homeowners, renters, and auto insurance policies —and what steps to take to protect your property and peace of mind.

Yes—most standard homeowners insurance policies  do  cover damage caused by:

• Riots
• Civil commotion
• Vandalism
• Fire resulting from unrest
• Smoke damage
• Theft (if caused during a covered event)

This includes:

• Damage to your home’s structure  (like broken windows, graffiti, fire)
• Personal property losses  (like stolen electronics or damaged furniture)

✅  Important:  Coverage applies  as long as the damage wasn’t intentional or caused by the policyholder.

Renters insurance usually covers riot-related damage to personal belongings , not the building itself (that’s the landlord’s responsibility).

For example:

• If your apartment is broken into during a protest and your laptop is stolen, your  renters policy would typically pay to replace it.

Only if you have comprehensive auto insurance.

✔️  Comprehensive coverage  includes:

• Damage from riots
• Vandalism
• Fire
• Theft
• Broken windows

🚫 If you only have liability coverage,  damage to your own vehicle won’t be covered.

💡 Tip: If you live in an area experiencing unrest, consider moving your vehicle to a safer location like a garage or gated facility.

1. ✅  Review your policy limits and deductibles
   Make sure your coverage amount still makes sense based on today’s replacement costs.
2. ✅  Document your belongings
   Keep photos or videos of valuables in case you need to file a claim.
3. ✅  Add or update endorsements
   If you own high-value items (jewelry, art, collectibles), make sure they’re scheduled properly—they may not be fully covered under standard limits.

In times of uncertainty, one thing you  can  control is knowing where you stand with your insurance coverage.  Riot, civil commotion, and vandalism are generally covered under most homeowners, renters, and auto policies —but only if your coverage is current and comprehensive.

📞  If you’re a client of Vargas & Vargas Insurance , call us at  617-298-0655  with any questions or to review your protection.
🤝  If you’re working with a claims adjuster or another independent broker , reach out now to make sure you’re fully covered—before something happens.