Classifying Hong Kong violence a ‘riot’ means shop and car owners are unlikely to have insurance cover
Retailers could suffer further losses if mainland tourists are frightened off visiting the city
Owners of shops and vehicles damaged during Monday’s violence in Mong Kok were unlikely to be able to make insurance claims as authorities declared the incident a “riot”, said an insurer.
However, people who were hurt during the clashes should still be able to claim medical insurance provided they did not join in the violence, said insurance sector lawmaker Chan Kin-por.
READ MORE: Hong Kong tense after Mong Kok mob violence on first day of Lunar New Year
During the 10-hour street battle that raged in the early hours of February 9, at least one taxi had its windscreen smashed and windows of several shops were shattered by protesters hurling objects such as bricks and bottles. More than two dozen bystanders and passers-by were injured.
While some property policies cover riots and civil disorder, most owners do not take such coverage and car insurance rarely offers such an indemnity.
“For life insurance, there is basically no exclusion on riot. But for personal accidents, there is exclusion on riot,” Chan said. “On medical insurance, there is no specified civil commotion exclusion, but we have what are called illegal or self-inflicted injuries that are not covered by medical insurance policies.”