How to Claim for Riot Damage in France: Step by Step

If your shop, office, home or car was damaged during the unrest in France, the next few weeks matter. A well-documented claim gets paid faster and with fewer arguments. This guide walks you through the process in order, from the first hour back at your premises to the loss adjuster's visit, the payout and, where needed, a claim against the state.

Loose papers and newspaper pages spread out across a table top — A riot damage claim is won on paperwork: photos, lists, invoices and a police complaint.

Key takeaways

Secure the premises and photograph all damage before you clean up.
File a police complaint (dépôt de plainte) and keep the receipt: insurers usually ask for it.
Declare the damage to your insurer in writing. After the 17 October 2026 violence, insurers extended the deadline to 30 days (normally 5 working days, 2 for theft).
Keep damaged goods and repair receipts until the loss adjuster (expert) has visited.
For what insurance does not cover, a claim against the state may be possible under article L211-10 of the Code de la sécurité intérieure.

As of late October 2026, thousands of businesses are working through claims after the violence that followed the 17 October day of action. The government estimated that about 3,000 businesses were directly affected, while other reports put the figure at 1,500 to 2,000. With further actions announced for 24 and 31 October and a national day of strikes and demonstrations on 5 November, more claims may follow.

The steps below follow the usual French process. They apply to this wave and to future events. This is general information, not legal or insurance advice: your policy and your insurer's instructions take priority, and deadlines may differ for future events.

30 days Extended deadline insurers granted to declare damage after the 17 October 2026 violence, instead of the usual 5 working days (2 for theft) French insurers, as reported

Step 1: Make it safe and secure

Only go back when the area is calm and any curfew has lifted. Partial curfews were imposed in some areas after 17 October, so check your préfecture's announcements first.

Check for hazards: broken glass, damaged wiring, fire damage, gas smells. If in doubt, call the emergency services or a professional before going in.
Secure the premises to prevent further damage or theft. Board up broken windows and doors, and change locks if keys were taken.
Keep every receipt for emergency work. Reasonable costs to protect the property are usually part of the claim, and your insurer may expect you to limit further damage.

Common mistake

Cleaning up and throwing away damaged stock straight away to reopen faster. Without the damaged goods, the loss adjuster has less evidence, and your claim can be reduced or delayed. Photograph first, secure, then keep damaged items until the expert has seen them, unless they are a health or safety hazard.

Step 2: Document everything

Good documentation is the single biggest factor in a smooth claim. Do it before any cleanup.

Photograph and film the damage from the street, at the entrance and room by room. Include close-ups and wide shots, and keep the date and time on the files.
List stolen or damaged items with descriptions, quantities and values. Use your till or inventory system to export stock levels from before the event.
Gather proof of value: purchase invoices, receipts, bank statements, leasing contracts, previous photos of the shop.
Collect other evidence: CCTV footage, alarm logs, names of neighbors or witnesses, and any news reports showing unrest in your street.
Back everything up to the cloud and keep a printed copy of the main lists.

Step 3: File a police complaint

File a complaint (dépôt de plainte) at a police station or gendarmerie, or start the process online where available. Describe what happened, when and what was damaged or stolen, and bring your photos and list. Keep the receipt (récépissé). Insurers usually ask for it, especially for theft and vandalism, and it is also useful if you later claim against the state.

Pro tip

If neighboring businesses were also damaged, compare notes on times, what happened and what you each saw. Consistent accounts help everyone's claims, and you can share contacts for glaziers, locksmiths and loss adjusters. Keep your own records separate, though: each claim stands on its own.

Sheets of paper and a pen lying on a wooden table ready for writing — Declare your claim in writing and keep a copy of everything you send to the insurer.

Step 4: Declare the damage to your insurer

Damage from riots and civil commotion ("émeutes et mouvements populaires") is usually covered by French multi-risk business policies and many home policies, often with a deductible, limits and exclusions. It is not covered by the natural catastrophe regime. Vehicles are covered only with the relevant optional cover, such as fire, vandalism or all-risks.

Declare the loss in writing, by registered letter, through your insurer's online claims portal or by email if your insurer accepts it. Keep proof of when you sent it. Include:

Your name, business name, policy number and address of the damaged property
The date, time and circumstances of the damage
A first list of damaged and stolen items, with estimated values
Photos, the police complaint receipt and emergency repair receipts
Whether you have other insurance that could also apply, for example your landlord's building policy

Deadlines

Normally, most claims must be declared within 5 working days, and theft within 2 working days. After the 17 October 2026 violence, insurers extended the deadline to 30 days, and France Assureurs pledged faster payouts and advance payments. Do not wait until the last day: early declarations get an expert visit sooner. For any future event, assume normal deadlines apply unless your insurer says otherwise.

Ask for an advance payment

If you need money quickly to repair and reopen, ask your insurer for an advance payment (acompte) on the claim. Mention France Assureurs' pledge on advance payments and explain what the money is for.

Document	Why it matters	Where to get it
Photos and video	Shows the extent of damage before cleanup	Your phone, CCTV
Police complaint receipt	Confirms the event and supports theft claims	Police station or gendarmerie
Stock list and invoices	Proves what you owned and its value	Till, inventory system, accounting files
Emergency repair receipts	Recovers the cost of securing the premises	Glazier, locksmith, contractor
Accounts and recent sales figures	Supports a business interruption claim	Your accountant

Step 5: Prepare for the loss adjuster's visit

For larger claims, the insurer usually sends a loss adjuster (expert) to assess the damage. Prepare for the visit as you would for an important meeting.

Keep the damaged goods and leave the damage visible where safe.
Have your file ready: photos, lists, invoices, the police receipt and repair quotes.
Get repair quotes from contractors so the expert can compare them.
Walk the expert through the premises and explain what happened, calmly and factually.
Ask about next steps: when you will receive the report and the settlement offer.

If you disagree with the assessment, you can usually challenge it, provide additional evidence or appoint your own expert (expert d'assuré). Check your policy for the procedure and costs.

Hypothetical example

Imagine "Optique Moreau," a small optician whose window was smashed and display stock taken. The owner photographs everything, files a police complaint the next morning and declares the claim online the same day with a first list. She asks for an advance to replace the window. When the expert visits a week later, she has invoices for every frame and two glazier quotes. The settlement offer arrives quickly, minus her deductible, and she then looks into a claim against the state for the deductible. All names and events are made up.

Step 6: Claim lost revenue if you have the cover

Business interruption cover (perte d'exploitation) is optional. It usually applies only after material damage to your premises, and losses from customers staying away or access being blocked are often excluded unless a specific extension exists. If you have it, ask your accountant to prepare figures comparing your normal trading with the closure period, and send them to the insurer with the rest of your claim.

Step 7: Look at state liability and aid

For losses insurance does not cover, such as your deductible or uninsured items, the French state can be held liable for damage caused by crimes committed by gatherings (attroupements) under article L211-10 of the Code de la sécurité intérieure. Claims go through the préfecture or the courts. Keep your police complaint, photos and insurer's settlement letter, as you will need to show what was and was not paid.

After the 2023 riots, the government offered tax and social charge payment delays and an exceptional aid form for affected businesses. As of 23 October 2026, check official sites for any 2026 scheme: economie.gouv.fr, impots.gouv.fr, urssaf.fr, your préfecture and your chamber of commerce. Do not rely on a scheme until it is published.

Your riot damage claim checklist

Return only when safe and check préfecture announcements
Secure the premises and keep receipts for emergency repairs
Photograph and film all damage before cleanup
List stolen and damaged items with invoices and values
File a police complaint and keep the receipt
Declare to your insurer in writing and keep proof of sending
Ask for an advance payment if you need cash to reopen
Keep damaged goods for the loss adjuster and gather repair quotes
Prepare business interruption figures with your accountant if covered
Check state liability and any official aid for uninsured losses

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a police complaint to claim on my insurance?

Insurers usually ask for one, especially for theft and vandalism, and it helps with any later claim against the state. File it as soon as you can and keep the receipt.

How long do I have to declare riot damage?

Normally 5 working days for most claims and 2 working days for theft. After the 17 October 2026 violence, insurers extended this to 30 days. For any other event, check your policy and your insurer's announcements, and declare as early as possible.

Can I start repairs before the expert visits?

You can and should carry out urgent work to secure the premises and prevent further damage, keeping all receipts. For larger repairs, photograph everything first and check with your insurer before going ahead.

Who pays my deductible?

Your insurer deducts it from the payout. You may be able to recover it, along with other uninsured losses, through a claim against the state under article L211-10 of the Code de la sécurité intérieure, via the préfecture or the courts.

The bottom line

Claiming for riot damage in France follows a clear order: make it safe, document everything, file a police complaint, declare to your insurer in writing, prepare for the loss adjuster and then look at business interruption cover and state liability for what remains. The quality of your records decides how quickly and fully you are paid.

Deadlines and support measures can change between events, so check your insurer, your préfecture and official French sites for the latest information before you rely on any date.