Car Insurance Guide

Does car insurance cover riots and civil unrest?

Written by Chloe Adams Managing Editor Reviewed by Nomsa Dlamini RE5 qualified · 12 years in short-term insurance Updated 26 July 2026 Our editorial standards →

Does car insurance cover riot and civil unrest damage?

Standard car insurance excludes damage from riots, strikes, public disorder and civil unrest - but that risk is covered separately in South Africa by SASRIA, the South African Special Risks Insurance Association. SASRIA cover is inexpensive and is usually added to your policy through your insurer. After the July 2021 unrest, many drivers learned the hard way that they needed it.

Key takeaways

Ordinary car insurance excludes riot, strike and public-disorder damage.
That risk is covered by SASRIA, a state-owned special-risks insurer.
SASRIA cover is cheap and added to your policy via your insurer.
The July 2021 unrest showed how important this cover is.
Check your schedule to confirm SASRIA cover is included.

Why standard cover excludes it

Private insurers exclude damage from riots, strikes, terrorism, public disorder and civil commotion because these are large, correlated risks. In South Africa that gap is filled by SASRIA (the South African Special Risks Insurance Association), a state-owned insurer set up specifically to cover special risks like unrest and public violence.

How to get SASRIA cover

You don't buy SASRIA directly for a car - it's added to your existing policy by your insurer, usually for a small extra premium. Most comprehensive policies include it, but it's worth confirming on your schedule. It covers loss or damage to your car caused by riots, strikes and public disorder, up to the SASRIA limits.

Frequently asked questions

What is SASRIA?

SASRIA is the South African Special Risks Insurance Association, a state-owned insurer that covers damage from riots, strikes, terrorism and public disorder - risks that ordinary insurance policies exclude.

Is SASRIA cover automatic on my car insurance?

It's usually added to comprehensive policies for a small premium, but not always. Check your policy schedule to confirm SASRIA cover is in place, especially given recent unrest.

Was riot damage covered during the July 2021 unrest?

Damage from the unrest was covered by SASRIA for those who had the cover, not by standard insurance. Many claims went through SASRIA, which is why confirming you have it matters.

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