In a sad commentary on the state of race relations in some partsof the country and ongoing tensions between citizens and thepolice, Charlotte, North Carolina, protests after a recent shooting escalated into rioting in thestreets.

Like the riots in Baltimore in 2015, many victims of theviolence are small-business owners whose properties areunfortunately located in the line of fire.

When the dust settles — in days or weeks — thoseproperty and business owners will be looking to their insurancecompanies to help make them whole.

“Businesses with claims should contact their insuranceprofessional as soon as possible. In addition, they should takesteps to safeguard their business, including boarding any brokenwindows to prevent looting,” said Loretta Worters, vice presidentof the New York City-based Insurance Information Institute.

In some cases, coverage will be under a commercial generalliability policy while other coverage may be available under abusiness owners' policy, although coverage may be more limited.

Worters provided the following overview of the five main typesof insurance that will be important in the aftermath of theriots:

A woman emerges from a storefront following damage fromovernight protests stemming from Tuesday's police shooting of KeithLamont Scott in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo: Gerry Broome/APPhoto)

1. Property damage

In most cases, business owners whose property is damaged by riotor civil commotion and looting are covered. The “rioting”definition covers looting by participants who steal merchandise orother property from the premises, as well as fire andvandalism.

Depending on the policy, a business may also have glass coverageif the glass store front has been destroyed by the riots. Somepolicies require the purchase of plate-glass-window insurance as anadditional coverage.

Related: 5 secrets to managing property and BusinessInterruption claims

An entrance to Bank of America Stadium is shown on Thursdayafter a second night of violence following the fatal policeshooting of Keith Lamont Scott on Tuesday in Charlotte, N.C. WithCharlotte in a state of emergency because of protests, it raisesthe question of whether coaches and players think the game shouldbe moved or postponed for the safety of all involved. (Photo: ChuckBurton/AP Photo)

2. Business interruption

Businesses that must suspend operations or limit their hoursbecause of rioting will have coverage on their businessinterruption (also known as business income) policy if there isdirect physical damage to the premises of such magnitude that thebusiness must suspend its operations.

Coverage depends on the individual policy, but typically beginsafter a waiting period of 24 to 72 hours and lasts for a period oftwo weeks to several months, depending on what the business owneropted for when purchasing the policy. Typically, businessinterruption reimburses a business owner for lost profits andcontinuing fixed expenses during the time that a business must stayclosed while the premises are being restored because of physicaldamage from a covered peril.

Physical damage to other property that prevents customers oremployees from gaining access to the business is also covered,although subject to a similar waiting period of 24 to 72 hours.

Reductions in business income associated with fear of travelingto a location, in addition to closure to areas by authoritiesbecause of a heightened state of alert, would not be covered bybusiness interruption policies. These are the kinds of lossesbusinesses in Miami faced over the summer with the threat of Zikavirus, and businesses around the Gulf Coast expected after theDeepwater Horizon oil spill, for example.

Related: Zika fears may be causing travelers to reconsiderFlorida plans, analyst says

National Guardsmen stand on the street in downtownCharlotte, N.C. on Thursday. (Photo: Gerry Broome/APPhoto)

3. Civil authority

If civil authority — that is, the police, fire department, stateor local government, or a military authority — keep people awayfrom an area, there is generally coverage for lost business incomeand extra expense through a civil authority endorsement (whichtypically is purchased separately). In North Carolina, for example,Gov. Pat McCrory declared a state of emergencyand began the process toward deploying the National Guard and thestate Highway Patrol to assist local police.

Coverage includes curfews and other restrictions on access to aplace of business, and usually begins 72 hours after the time ofthe first action of civil authority. Again, there has to be eitherdirect damage to the covered property or property adjacent to thepremises as it is described in the insured’s policy. The coveragetime period most commonly stated in this endorsement is either 14or 30 consecutive days.

Related: Is your small business prepared for adisaster?

A plywood board covers a broken glass panel on Thursday atthe NASCAR Hall of Fame after a second night of violence followingTuesday's fatal police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte,N.C. (Photo: Chuck Burton/AP Photo)

4. Extra expense insurance

Extra expense insurance reimburses your company for a reasonablesum of money that it spends, over and above normal operatingexpenses, to avoid having to shut down during the restorationperiod. Usually, extra expenses will be paid if they help todecrease business interruption costs.

In some instances, extra expense insurance alone may providesufficient coverage, without the purchase of business interruptioninsurance.

Related: Do you know the difference between Extra Expensecoverage and ‘expense to reduce’?

Demonstrators protest Tuesday's fatal police shooting ofKeith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday. (Photo: ChuckBurton/AP Photo)

5. Other coverages

Individuals may also have some coverage for theft, looting orfire under their auto insurance policies, if they have optionalcomprehensive coverage

Generally, theft from looting and damage to a residence fromrioting also would be covered by homeowners or rentersinsurance.

“These riots are a reminder to business on the need for businessinterruption insurance,” said Worters. “Each day a business remainsclosed is another day of lost revenue.”

For more information about business insurance, business ownerscan go to the business section of Insurance Information Institute’swebsite.

Related: How to create a disaster recovery plan for yourbusiness

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